High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - The Resilient Phillies and Eighth Round Pick Nate Fassnacht!

Episode Date: June 6, 2019

The Phils lost Andrew McCutchen for the season but rebounded. Jay Bruce has arrived and is the best Phils hitter of all time. Adam Haseley is here under difficult circumstances. What a wild time for the Phils. James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are here reacting to it all and also talk to Phillies fan and eighth round pick, Nate Fassnacht.  See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Summer's here, and you can now get almost anything you need delivered with Uber Eats. What do we mean by almost? You can't get a well-groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parmesan delivered. Sunshine? No. Some wine? Yes. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol and select markets. See app for details.

Go back to school with Rogers and get Canada's fastest and most reliable internet. Perfect for streaming lectures all day or binging TV shows all night. Save up to $20 per month on Rogers Internet. Visit rogers.com for details. We got you, Rogers. This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes. It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Philadelphia Phillies

on Radio.com and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yo, it is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast. Has anything changed in the last couple days? No. It's exactly the same. Except that I'm devastated beyond belief, Jack. We have so much. This is the most we've had to talk about in a while.

Plus, coming up later, we've got a guest on the show. We do. Nate Fosnot, eighth round pick. And if you're wondering if Jack finds a way to ask a Nick Pavetta question, coming up later. We've got a guest on the show. We do. Nate Fosnot, eighth round pick. And if you're wondering if Jack finds a way to ask a Nick Pavetta question, you're going to have to wait to find out.

The way he teased it would suggest that Jack did find a way to ask about Nick Pavetta. But you will have to wait to find out what Nate thinks about Nick Pavetta.

Yeah. But if I told you, James, a week ago, that Jay Bruce is going to be starting left field and that Adam Hales Bruce was going to be starting left field and that Adam Haley was going to be in center field

and that Andrew McCutcheon was done for the season, what would you have said? I don't think I would have been very happy about it, Jack. I mean, geez. What a road trip. What a week, man. Alright, well let's start at the top. Off of the high of the Pavetta start on Sunday. It's time to roll.

We got our ace back. To go like this has just been crazy. All right, so we have so much to dive into. Let's start with the McCutcheon injury. I think that, obviously, the most important, impactful news of the week. Look, last podcast, you were of the opinion to not trade or not give up a lot to trade for guys who are not signed past this year. And I vehemently disagreed with you.

We argued about it. I'm on board, Jack. I think the McCutcheon injury is so devastating for this team on and off the field. What he brought you, obviously, on the field is one of their best players so far this season. What he does at the top of the line, defensively running the bases. But then the veteran leadership, we've talked about so much. I'm not saying they can't win the World Series, but I am saying that I am with you now that I'm not mortgaging the future

to go all in for this year. I just don't think you can anymore. Yeah, I mean, there's no – I just don't see the value in – unless you're bringing in multi-year guys. If you still want to do a Mike Miner trade, I'm totally down. He's only owed $9 million next year. That's a steal of a contract for a guy

who's been one of the best lefties in baseball. If you want to bring in a guy that can help this year and also help down the road, perfectly fine with that. If you want to trade for an elite closer or elite multi-inning weapon that can help you not only this year, but help you down the road, that is perfectly fine.

But giving up major assets, you're going to have to give up a top five prospect for Madison Bumgarner. Absolutely. Like Alec Boehm type player to get Madison. That's the type of prospect you'll have to give up. And it's just not, this is not the year to do it.

It's not the year to go over the luxury tax. I mean, going over the luxury tax in year one when you know you're not going to win the World Series, it's short-sighted. It's something that the Sixers would do. I don't want the Phillies to do that. I'm worried that John Middleton's going to go all in. I love Jack Middleton.

I think it's great, right? Yeah. But I'm worried he's going to be so gung-ho on making the playoffs this year and trying to make a run that I could see him going short-sighted. I hope that Klintzak and McPhail can kind of just, hey, man, we got

unlucky this year. I mean, they have six relievers on the IL and McCutcheon's done for the season. Well, it will be seven when Sir Anthony almost inevitably goes on the IL. Yes, you have the McCutcheon thing and it sucks and I'm not saying they used to give up the season. I'm not saying that at all, but

it's just window-wise, this is not the year to go all in. I think they can make the playoffs. I think they could win the division for sure. I think they're going to make the playoffs. I think they're a playoff team. And I'm all about giving up fringe prospects like Nick Madden. I think him for Andrew Jones.

Adam Jones? For Adam Jones. Andrew Jones on a round anyway. If they trade Nick Madden for Andrew Jones, I think the Phillies have a problem. Get Andrew Jones for free, my friend right now. So if they want to give up that for Adam Jones, for Andrew Jones, I think the Phillies have a problem. Yeah, Andrew Jones for free, my friend right now. So if they want to give up that for Adam Jones, for Hunter Pence in a way, I'm cool. If you want to give up guys for players that are going to make this team better, almost like they did last year, but I just think they brought in the right players.

But guys that can help fill out the rest of this roster and help you down a playoff run, I'm fine with that. I'm more worried about giving up top eight prospects for guys this year when it's just not going to be the when they're not very likely not going to be back next year or it's you know look if as we discussed if you trade for madison bumgartner with the knowledge that he is going to sign a long-term contract with you that you want to sign fine whatever but that's not going to happen he's going to test the market all that type of stuff um yeah i'm with you and and again look the phillies can win the world series i we i don't think they will i don't think they're good enough and i wouldn't bet on it and thus if i'm the front

office i'm not betting on it but they could i mean we've seen crazier things happen in baseball teams get hot and that royals team that won the world series a few years ago was was horrendous comparative to but they won the world series they found a way but baseball has changed so much they're very top heavy teams I agree with you this was going to be my next part of the statement I've been listening to sports radio

the last couple of days and people were like well as long as you get in and anything can happen I get the premise but like it's very unlikely the Dodgers are so much better

the Astros are so much better I mean these teams are just way better Red Sox, Yankees, Rays yes Rays, absolutely there's just different animals that weren't around when the Phillies were playing in the World Series.

And look, you've seen it the last few years. We talk a lot, oh, well, get in as a wild card and get hot. That hasn't happened as much, that Royals team. But that doesn't happen as much anymore, certainly not the last few years. The Red Sox had the best record in baseball. The Astros had the best record in baseball.

The Dodgers have had the best record in the National League the last few years. They've won the World Series. I agree with you. I think baseball is a lot more top-heavy, and thus the higher-end teams on there are that much better than they used to be. Yeah, and that's because baseball is now the three-outcome sport, whether it's at the plate or in team building.

Yes, it's a great point, actually. It's either try to win or tank and try to rebuild. Yes, and that influences it, too. You're absolutely right. There's no middle ground with teams anymore. So listen, it sucks. I'm, Andrew McCutcheon being out, just, I loved watching the guy play.

I said on the radio, and I truly believe since the Carson Wentz injury, it is the number one injury that I've felt. I've been like, I feel this. I'm sick to my stomach over this injury. And it could have been avoided. That's the worst part of it all. Like, on multiple different levels.

Like, multiple different people could have made that thing be avoided. And let me just say, the only person to blame for that whole scenario is the umpires. Like, they should have blown that play dead. Yeah, you sent me the rule. Like, there is an intentional drop rule. And from what I understand, a lot of people talked about, called in, I mentioned on the radio show, and you have to touch the ball for them to call it, which is not what the rule reads. Apparently, they'll only call it if the guy drops the ball and it hits their glove, which is ridiculous.

What's the even point of having the rule? No one's intentionally, like, has it hit their glove and then drop it. They just let it hit on the ground. It's umpire discretion. And they did not use the correct discretion. They should have blown the plate. Ian Kinsler has a history of doing that. I don't understand why people are mad at Ian Kinsler.

I saw you get mad at Ian Kinsler. And I apologize. In the moment, I was so irrational. And so I wasn't thinking at all. You were like raged. It was crazy. My favorite players. Again, it's because it was so avoidable.

It was like I was raging because I was like, there are six different reasons why that didn't have to happen. And now, and I knew it. I said, I'm like, it's an AC. Like, you just knew it. You're like, he's dumb. And I was so angry. But you're right.

It's not Kinsler's fault. And I mean, I think the High Hopes listeners deserve an apology for thinking that was an infield fly. Well, yeah. Buddy, there's a runner on first base. Here's what I will say. I was like, James, James, James james james what i will say it should be part of the rule it's so stupid that i as soon as i wrote it and then you text me i was like oh yeah i'm an idiot i wasn't thinking but like it should be part of the rule like it's not that different a situation from first and second or bases loaded like the idea of the infield fly rule is to prevent double plays

in those situations so like what's the difference well fly rule is to prevent double plays in those situations. So, like, what's the difference? Well, that's why the intentional drop rule's in. Exactly. But that's my point. Why not just make first base part of the intentional fly rule as well, but infield fly rule as well, but whatever. Either way. And we are not going to blame Gene Segura.

Like, he fell down and didn't, like, that's a human. And he feels awful. He even said he's like, I'm a human and I made a mistake. Like, what are you supposed to say to that other than it's okay? Yeah, it's baseball it happens man it's 160 and look Andrew McCutcheon

didn't need to fight and I respect him for it for trying to get back to the bag but like you were cooked bro like you could have just taken the out he could have not left the bag

I mean there are a lot of different things well you have to advance well theoretically yes he would have well not theoretically well I guess unless he just stands there

he looks like an idiot that's what I'm saying he didn't have to leave the bag theoretically I guess not then Segura would have been out would have been weird it would have been better

would have worked out better yeah it was just one of those freak things like that's all it was it was a freak play I feel crappy for Andrew McCutcheon like

just like best dude like it stinks and the tweet he put out too I just I love that attitude the like hey like

prayers are nice I appreciate it but like he did say pray for me no no and he said I appreciate the prayer he's like but don't feel bad for me he's like I'll be back everything's okay you know move forward and I thought that was the right attitude to have I mean you have

to have that attitude or else you're gonna go crazy so unfortunately I mean under these circumstances I'm so sad about that I'm just sad about it well he's having an all-star. He's working his way into all-star consideration. He was. And then, again, the veteran leadership and all that stuff. But then, like, we watch sports because they're supposed to be fun, right?

Like, that's the whole point of this is we enjoy this. And he's so fun to watch, man. He's so fun to root for. It just sucks. It really sucks. But Adam Hazel is here. And also, I mean but Jay Bruce is the greatest

Philly of all time so you know so while it stinks and it stinks that it's under these circumstances I am very excited for the Adam Haisley

era and I I want the Phillies to give you I've never heard you talk about Adam Haisley before this is shocking I want to give

I want the Phillies to give Adam Haisley as much opportunities as possible because because honestly the upside of the whether they make the playoffs or not this year I want the Phillies to give Adam Haseley as much opportunities as possible. Because honestly, whether they make the playoffs or not this year, I think they will. I think they'll win the division.

But if they get Adam Haseley, if he can show that he can be the center field of the future, that is way more important than what happens for the rest of the season. Figuring out him, figuring out Pavetta, figuring out Kingery. I think those are the three things that are like, let's see what we got. Hector Naras being a close. Those are the four things to really monitor

for the rest of the season. And if Adam Haseley can lock down center field, you don't have to worry about Oduble anymore, then he can go out and have a Bruce McCutcheon left field next year, still Bryson right field. What they do in the offseason, I don't know if they want to move Cesar this offseason, commit to Kingery at second base,

and bring in a different third baseman or even Boehm. I just think that Haseley getting the lion's share out there is one of the most important parts of the rest of the season because if he takes that job and runs with it, it just helps so much when you're thinking about the future of this team. I agree, but he has to play well. He does have to play well. You can't just give him the lion's share

and he struggles and say, we're going to stick with you. Buddy, did you see Scott Kingery last year? Well, true. But that was a different team last year. I know what you're saying, but last year,

I think we all, whether or not they kept winning games, we all didn't feel like that was a team that had any chance to do anything. And while, again,

to the start of the show and all that, we don't think this team is winning the World Series, but they are a playoff team. They should make the playoffs. And I think that that is something for a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2011. A bunch of young guys get those reps.

I think it's meaningful. It matters. I agree. But I do agree with you. And look, Adam Haseley, an outstanding game in Game 3 yesterday. Yeah, you can kind of just tell. Even though he smoked the ball down the third baseline. And it was just a good piece of hitting.

He took the ball where it was supposed to go. Right, and what we've noticed... That was a big walk he worked the inning before, too. Of course it was. A huge walk. And the base running, getting from first to home. Great base running.

I think when you watch him, you can just tell the guy's a pro. And he seems like a guy that will just square up a baseball. He seems like he has... He doesn't strike out either. No, he has no problem putting the barrel to the baseball and getting the fat part of the bat on the ball.

I mean, even the night before, smoked the ball to Eric Hosmer. Hosmer just Hosmered it. Hosmer's an unbelievable defensive first baseman. Yes, one of the best. And Haseley smoked that ball. So I don't want them to trade for a replacement center fielder. Maybe Gerard Dyson if they need to, but I don't want to bring in Kevin Pillar, who I think blows. them to trade for a replacement center fielder like maybe gerard dyson if they need to but like

i i don't want to bring in kevin pilar who i think blows kevin pilar was was it was a free agent earlier this year like he was dfa'd i mean he is not kevin pilar is nothing he's a good defensive center fielder i would i would just rather i would rather see hazley i just want to see him play as much as possible i agree with you on that i think it's the i think it's the right move and again he has to produce, but look, he's already, just defensively, he's already the best defensive center fielder they've had all season, from the jump.

Probably. Yeah, I think so. And look, I really like Kingery at third base. I think Kingery's got a lot of potential. I just like Scott Kingery. Me too. Dude, I'm in love with Scott Kingery. I just dig that guy. Scott Kingery this year is so much fun to watch. He's being Scott Kingery.

He's doing exactly what he did in the minors. That's that guy. Dustin Pedroia with more talent. Yes. Never a doubt. More talent. That was good. No, no, no.

That's not me. That's not me being Jack. That's a scout. Pure talent. Yeah, he might have more pure talent than Pedroia did. A scout literally said before last season, two buster and only, he's Dustin Pedroia with more talent. So don't come at me

thinking that's crazy Jack Pavetta coming out. That's a legit scout. And the weirdest part about watching Scott Kingery is like, he moves so fast, but it doesn't look like

he's moving that fast. He's so fast! He's the best guy on the team. I mean, other than Roman Quinn when he can never actually play,

which he's never. Scott Kingery's the best guy on this team. Kingery just goes, man. Little guy motoring around. It's great. Dude, were my eyes deceiving me

or did that guy hit a ball like 410 feet? Dude, it was a monster shot. I didn't even know the little guy had that in him. I know. That was a monster home run.

I know, man. He's not missing mistakes. He's catching up the fastballs. He's seeing pitches that he likes and he's hitting them. Yeah. But they didn't do that last year.

He was trying to do the whole approach thing. They're letting him be him. Is Bruce and Kingery the best 6'7 punch in baseball history? It's the best back-to-back hitters in the sport. It's the new... Mantle Maris. I mean, that's what it is. Ramirez Ortiz?

Yeah, I think it's probably better than that. I would say so. Look, the two and a half game sample size we have says they are. I would say so. I want to coin them the law firm, Bruce and Kingery. Ooh, that works a little bit. The law firm. Not bad, Bruce and Kingery.

Kingery's not a super law firmy name, but it works. It's too much of a bro name to be a lawyer. Yes. Kingery, I wouldn't want you representing me in court. But Bruce? I'll bring it on. Jay Bruce is a lawyer yes kingery like i wouldn't take you i wouldn't want you representing no but bruce oh bring it on jay bruce is a lawyer let's just let's be on i mean first of all he looks like a he does how old is jay bruce he's not really 32 32 no we've been over this believable not really 32 no he's one of those fudge birth certificate type of guys him and mccutcheon were the same draft class it's unbelievable he looks like he's 40 he looks like a 40 year old dad are you ready for the funnest? Is funnest the word?

No, most fun. Okay, but I think funnest should be a word. I've been on this hill for a long time. Funnest should be a word. It just flows off the tongue too well not to be a word. I don't hate it. In my opinion. I don't hate it.

The funnest. The funnest Jay Bruce thing that has come out the last couple days is that Jay Bruce has hit as many home runs in nine at-bats as a Philly as Robinson Cano has in 170 at-bats as a Met. Yes!

Contact. Suck it, Cano. Suck it, Brody Van Wagenen. You know what I didn't factor in in the Jay Bruce thing is how hot he was coming here. In his last 20 games... I saw you tweet this.

He's an OPS over 1,000. Yeah. I thought... Like, when he was batting 218 or whatever, I assumed it was because I thought he got off to a hot start. Me too. Especially because the Mariners got off to a hot start.

I was like, oh, they were 13-2. He's probably mashing. And then I thought he went into the tank. Looks like he's the opposite way around. They got him in the midst of a Jay Bruce hot streak. All right, let's talk about Jay Bruce. Obviously, I don't think he's going to average a homer and a half per game. We'll see. That's not good, though. We'll see. He's Jay

Bruce. It's possible, but I don't ever remember anyone coming to this city, and granted, he hasn't even been in this city yet as a Philly, but I have not seen or remember someone come to this team, really this city, and just had such a unbelievably awesome start

with the team. I don't ever remember it. Yeah. I'm trying to think. If there's been a Philly like this, they acquired midseason. Blanton obviously went undefeated in 08, but it wasn't like this. Oh, no, no, no.

I got it. Cliff Lee. Oh, Cliff Lee. Okay, that's a good one. Jay Bruce is Cliff Lee. I think that's a perfect comp. I mean, two tall white guys who are left-handed. Boom. Nailed it. Jay Bruce is Cliff Lee. I think that's a perfect come. I mean, two tall white guys who are left-handed. Boom.

Nailed it. Jay Bruce is Cliff Lee. Nailed it. But yeah, it's that level of like, oh my God, he's squaring up everything. Dude, he's crushing balls. Like, he looked awesome. Played defense okay a little bit too, and don't count on that. Yes, exactly.

Richie was getting on. So he's like, he's a better fielder than I thought. I was like, no, he's not. I was like, no, he's not. He's really bad. He moves like Nick Williams, except Nick Williams is like six years younger. Nick Williams moves way better than Jay Bruce. But they both have the same movements.

My point being, Jay Bruce is bad at left field. Not a good outfielder. Listen, I don't care. As long as that guy is elevating and celebrating, that's his thing. Elevate and celebrate, baby. Elevate and celebrate. I love it. I told you, he's a stat cast guy.

He's obsessed with it. He knows, man. What an entrance. And they needed it, too. I mean, at a time where McCutcheon goes down, we're all feeling like crap. Jay Bruce was the hero we needed for a couple nights. Yeah, and kudos to this Phillies team. I mean, they lose five straight off of the Dodgers series where they get outclassed.

I agree with you. They deserve kudos. They lose game one. They lose McCutcheon. They could have easily folded. classed i agree with you they they deserve kudos and they lose game one they lose mccutcheon they could easily lose game one in a debacle horrendous just no life type of performance right well they don't do that in game ones never it's the first time i've ever seen that happen with this team we learned this about this team we just locked in but the way that they battled back uh just from

that it was one of those moments where i was like, this is where they need Harper. This is where they need the $330 million guy. You lose Andrew McCutcheon and Harper, he did the little things well. He did. And he had a massive, it was a massive double.

I mean, that was a big hit in that spot. Segura, I think he felt bad about McCutcheon thing. I mean, he stepped up a little bit. Three hits. Got a couple hits.

The Haseley, Kingery being Kingery. I get it just impressive. Again, they may lose game one on the road. They may have debilitating losses. But in two years under Gabe Kapler, what we've seen from this Phillies team is that they will respond. They have never folded. It's a great point.

I mean, obviously, September last year happened. Sure, yes. But in terms of awful losses, they find ways to bounce back. And they do. And this team is... Listen, man. This team is not that talented right now when you're looking at the bullpen. Like, give Neres. That's back. And they do. And this team is, listen, man, this team is not that talented right now. When you're looking at the bullpen, like give Neris.

That's it. That's it. Literally the only guy that I feel, well, I feel actually somewhat confident when Jose Alvarez comes in the game, but Neris is the only, in a big high leverage spot. He's literally the only healthy guy they have right now. I wouldn't feel nervous about coming into a game. And then you have the starting staff, which is just... So disappointing. You have no idea what you're getting. So disappointing.

So, and the way they're piecing these wins together, the way they're winning series, obviously got outclassed by the Dodgers, but they beat a Padres team on the road after losing one of their heart and souls, and Andrew McCutcheon, and the ability to bounce back from that, I think is really impressive. Yeah, what was my biggest takeaway

from the three-game series was the fact that to lose that game like that to lose your leader the guy who and clearly not just a leader but clearly a leader who everyone on the team loves who everyone is like that guy's the best to lose that guy the way they lose him the news that it's a torn ACL comes out

right before your game the next day and to bounce back the way they did I'm really with you Jack I thought it was a real showing of resiliency from this team. I was really impressed. I agree. And we'll see now because, I mean, the Reds are coming into town. Obviously, they're last in the NL Central. They're last, but they're better than the record says.

Yeah, their offense is legit. Their starters are good. I think they still have a plus run differential, if I'm not mistaken. Right. I mean, James, you run differential over here. It's all I care about, man. It is all I care about. It's so important to me. Well, because so many people use it to tell how good a team is. You I mean, James, you run differential over here. It's all I care about, man. It is all I care about. It's so important to me.

Well, because so many people use it to tell how good a team is. You better have a good run differential. I know. All right, let's get to the pitching side of things because we'll get to the stars in a sec,

but let's start with the pen because yesterday, it's almost like if I were a Phillies reliever right now, I would be worried about my safety because you're just going to get hurt. That's the way it's going to work. We got Neshek, Morgan,

you know, all these guys on the injured list. And then, I was about to say the DL. I said, I remember. Well, thank you. It's 2019. Yes, of course. Yeah, right. Exactly.

And then Sir Anthony throws the pitch, winces. Yeah. It's an elbow thing. Like, what the hell, Jack? I know. It's brutal. It's brutal.

And the ninth inning is not a problem. Who would have thunk it? Hector Neritz, just lock it in. You don't really have to. Whether Neris keeps us up or not, it's not the problem with the bullpen. Agree 100%. The ninth inning is not the problem.

Getting saves is not the problem. It's the bridge to Neris. Yep. A sentence I never, ever, ever, ever thought I i'd hear for a first place team in 2019 very good um it's it's getting the ball to him and someone on this team has to step up and honestly i think the guy's vinny and i know no one likes vinny i don't know and trust vinny but it's on him he's the most talented guy in that bullpen he's the guy that can take the ball he can take down two innings as gabe cowper would say take down two i love it oh it's my favorite gabe ism is it your favorite one that take down

because we know that aaron's gonna take down some big innings for us this season oh i love it and i like that i like it i love it i start working it into my producer schedule like i gotta take down two phil ships like it's i'm a fan of the he's an elite reliever i like that one as well too big takedown guy but it But it's on Vinny. And I know no one trusts Vinny. I think I'm higher on... Presenting, too, by the way. I'm higher on bullpen Vinny than most.

I don't think he can do it two days in a row yet. Because, listen, this guy is coming from being a starter literally a month ago. And for his whole career, to be fair. This guy's always been a starter. I'll give him a little bit of a pass when it comes to being able to go out there back-to-back days and shove for this team. Well, it does feel like one outing will be he's dominant, and then the next outing he's the worst pitcher in the pen, and then it just repeats.

It does feel like every other outing he's either awesome or horrendous, and there's no in-between. Well, that's what we saw last year with Sir Anthony as well. So it's the starter's turn reliever's thing. I mean, it makes logical sense. All right, so what do you do? Where are you at? I mean, who knows with Robertson? It seems like Tommy Hunter might be back at

some point. Neshek it seems like shouldn't be a super long-term injury. Morgan will be back. Morgan seems like the least worry of all of them. I'm worried about Sir Anthony just because I always have trouble with elbows and especially guys that cut like that. Me too. You know that's's my thing i hear elbow um it's not good yeah but sucks because like he was starting to really look dominant he looked really good the last year his slider was

disgusting two days ago like that's he was getting back to being sir anthony and actually i think he's getting back to being a better version of this franthony that we saw last year so that injury came in a bad time i mean right now like velasquez i would love for him to step up like it's it's nicasio uh edgar garcia i just feel so uncomfortable when nicasio comes into a game oh it's bad like they could be up by six runs i'm like yes every time need some insurance yes um i if i could put this on two players right now who i need i i trust jose alvarez i do too i am right now who I need, I trust Jose Alvarez. I do too. But I'm in, man.

I, when Jose Alvarez comes into a game, I believe he's going to get out. That's the way I feel right now. Got a great heartbeat. You know, I'm a heartbeat guy. You do it as a joke. I am very into that. I think that matters. And I think it's JD Hammer time.

Listen, let the kids play. JD Hammer. Thanks Major League Baseball. And thank you for all these injuries. Thank you, injury gods, for letting the kids play. I want to see what JD Hammer has. I want to figure out if he can be a high leverage guy. I mean, he has the fastball to play.

Don't know about the slider. Don't know if it's that level of dominance yet. I think he could figure it out and turn it into a plus pitch. But I want to see what that guy can do with a one-run lead in the eighth inning. I just want to see how he handles that situation. If you get him going and then all the

reinforcements are coming back, I just think the bullpen could go from a holy crap to a strength very quickly when the injuries start coming around. Okay, look at you. Positivity from Fritz over here. Listen, I've watched too much baseball. I've followed baseball for too long.

It's 162 games. You're going to have injuries. You're going to have to deal with injuries. The Phillies last year were remarkably healthy. We talked about it a fair amount, actually. We kept saying that it's kind of unreal how they have had basically no injuries. Well, it's coming back around this year. Yeah, it's coming back.

It sure is. We're like the Warriors now. It sure is coming back around. All the injury karma is coming back our way. So I don't want to get too wrapped up in the moment. Obviously, these next couple weeks are going to be very tough. Like, oh my God, what's going to happen? But I just have this hope that once everyone comes back,

if you can get the young guys these innings now, I think it's only going to help as the season goes on. So do you think there's any trades coming soon, or do you think it's more all towards the end? Clearly, I think Jason Sark put out yesterday they're going to wait on outfield until the deadline, re-evaluate in July. As we discussed, absolutely the right move.

Give Haseley a chance. The rotation, Kingery Bruce, figure it out. Although if they want to bring back Aaron Altair, they can. I mean, why not? It's on a trade. He DFA'd. He DFA'd again. Bring him back. Which is shocking because he was killing it. He did have that home run. His first home run. But do you think thereats. He did get a home run. But do you think there's something coming in the near future?

Do you think it's going to be on the, obviously, the outfield side? It seems like they're going to hold off a little bit. What about on the pitching side? I don't know. I mean, I think Baumgartner's going to get traded sooner rather than later because he would give teams six extra starts, and if they wade to the deadline, I think that's valuable for a, I think teams would rather give a prospect and get six extra starts to help them get over the hump rather than wait until the deadline, I think that's valuable. I think teams would rather give a prospect and get six extra starts to help them get over the hump rather than wait until the deadline.

I think a team would pay fair value to Farhan for that. We'll wait to see if the Phillies get involved with Madison Mugwarner. They'll be involved. It's a question of if the price is anywhere near what they're willing to give up. Right, which I don't think is going to happen. I think they're going to wait until the deadline. Teams just aren't moving guys right now. Sure, I'd love to start taking some of the Pirates pitchers

like Kyle Crick or Felipe Vasquez, but they're technically still in it. They're in it, yeah. Same with the Diamondbacks. Everyone's talking about Adam Jones as an outfield option. The Diamondbacks are still in it. The Rangers. I mean, the Rangers are a game out in the wild card.

Yeah, no question. They should sell because this team is not going anywhere, and they should sell high on Mike Miner and get whatever they can. Absolutely. They should sell on Hunter Pence. Hunter Pence, Danny Santana, anyone you can send who's playing way above their head, they should trade. Except maybe Jose Leclerc.

They should probably just keep him and sell him at an actual high value rather than sell low. Well, because he stinks right now. Yeah, I agree. But there's teams like that that you think are going to sell, but right now they don't really have to sell because they're playing well. So Diamondbacks fall in that category.

The Reds fall in that category. I would love to start stealing some Reds players, but they have a positive run differential and good starting pitching. They're going to wait it out. There's just nowhere to really... And that was a team that really wanted to compete coming into the season to make moves to compete.

Yeah, adorable idea. It really is. Adorable idea. It really is. Adorable idea. We'll see if they get re-involved in the Dallas Keuchel rumors. Well, speaking of which, that's where I was going to go next. Craig Kimbrell to the Cubs, 3 for 43. Neither of us wanted Craig Kimbrell here. I'm assuming you're very fine with this.

3 for 40, you just want to rip Theo. It's fair. I just want to see. My Theo take is... No retort for this one. Let me just you just want to rip Theo. It's fair. I just want to see, I want to, my Theo take is, no retort for this one. Let me just say, let me just say that Fritz is watching.

Okay. Fritz is watching. Theo, we'll see, we'll see if you still got it. There are whispers around these circles that you're slipping a little bit.

I mean, I think it was a horrendous signing. Three for 43? Three for 43 is, I would never give that to Craig Kimbrell. Why? I was talking about one year I wanted him for.

I know. I don't want him when he's 34. Are you out of your mind? Yeah. Look, the money's not as high as he was expecting. It's not like a crazy deal. I think it makes him the fourth highest paid closer in baseball. I personally wouldn't want to give Craig Kimbrell three years at that number.

Hey, man, I'm glad the Phillies didn't do it. I mean, first off, not only because, well, we could have talked to him, but if he was open to being an eighth inning guy, because the ninth inning is perfectly fine with Hector Neris, we don't have to worry about the ninth, so if he wanted to be a middle reliever on this team, we're not giving a middle reliever $15 million.

I hope not. We're not giving a setup guy $15 million. Unless he's Juan Nogacio and he's making close to that. What the hell's... $9 million? With Juan? Jeez Louise. What a way... the deal with that? Nine million? With Juan? Jeez Louise. What a way. Talk about overpaid, man. Talk about stealing money. Juan Nogacio's nine mil this year.

All right, pitching. Jay Garrietta, man. What's the deal? Like, what is the deal with Jay Garrietta? Because when the season started, coming into the season, you were pretty bullish on Jay Garrietta. Yeah, and then he changed. People might forget that Jack Fritz was in on Jay Garrietta before the season. And he looked good to start the season. You were pretty bullish on Jake Arrieta. People might forget that Jack Fritz was in on Jake Arrieta before the season.

And he looked good to start the season. What the hell has happened? He's just leaving sliders up and they're just getting smoked. He's now missing over the middle of the plate. His sinker is getting absolutely crushed right now. Jake Arrieta has allowed 14 home runs in the season and five have happened in this road trip. Is that good?

Not great, Jack. If I could have one wish on the Phillies for the next calendar year, it's that Jake Arrieta opts out. Which will never happen. $20 million next year. For the love of God, please opt out. Gross. I hate watching him pitch.

I really do. I thought he looked good for the first three innings yesterday. He's gotten away from the sinker changeup thing. I think he's thrown... I haven't gotten to the numbers, but just from watching him, it looks like he's using his changeup less and less, which I think early in the season, what he was doing well was he was sequencing his sinker and his changeup, coming out of the same arm slot, going to the same location,

and one would drop off more and be five miles an hour less. That was a good plan for him, and I think he's straight away from that i think he's getting too slider dependent his slider stinks man like his slider is not good i understand that a when he was in 2015 and on that run that slider was disgusting and unhittable but guess what jake you're not that guy anymore you can't throw that slider it gets smoked and there's there are teams front offices that know how bad your slider is and they are exposing it stop throwing it it's not good enough if you want to mix in a curveball every once in a while a show me curveball that's fine but he needs to get back to finding the arm slot on that sinker finding some kind of swing and miss on it and throwing the change up more

because that's the plan that the slider is not it especially against lefties because you're just throwing it right into their barrels. Devastating. All right. Dude, what are they going to do? He's supposed to be your number two guy that can help you in a playoff series. If that guy goes down in a playoff series, he's getting destroyed. I don't want him starting a playoff game. That's where I'm at.

And obviously, there's a long season left to go. Maybe he figures it out. But right now, I don't want Jake Gary to start. I'd rather Pavetta start a playoff game. Maybe even game one. Well, good point because of all the games, and we talked about what a good May he had, and we're like, oh, he's finally turning it around.

They freaking needed Aaron Nola on Monday night. They needed that guy. Four straight losses, reeling after the Dodgers game, and guess what? Aaron Nola stunk again, Jack. What's going on, man? Four straight losses Reeling after the Dodgers game And guess what? Aaron Nola stunk again, Jack What's going on, man? It's command He doesn't have the command this year

What Aaron Nola was so good at last year Was command, command, command Both sides of the plate Fastball, wherever he wanted to put it He dotted it Inside the lefties Let it start at their hip And run back over the middle of the plate

Back on the inside corner Curveball Wherever he wanted to put it, he dotted it. Inside the lefties, let it start at their hip and run back over the middle of the plate. Back on the inside corner, curveball. It is all the fastball. It is all the fastball. It's been a bad pitch for him this year. It's getting crushed, too. Well, if you look at the numbers, if you go to fan graphs, it is a very bad pitch. And last year, it was one of the best. It was a plus pitch.

Yeah, it was a great pitch last year. So the movement's fine on the fastball. It's just that he doesn't know where it's going. That's the problem. Because I've never seen him miss by a foot. He's missing by a foot. It's crazy. He never did that last year.

No, he did not. Not once. And this is all a trickle-down effect. When the fastball's bad, everything else doesn't look as great. When his fastball's not spotting up where he needs it to spot up, it makes every other pitch just look a little bit worse. What made him so good last year was he could throw whatever pitch whenever he wanted, and guys would always be off-balance.

But now he's relying so much on his off-speed because he cannot throw his fastball for a strike that they're just sitting on it. And when Major League hitters can sit on one of two pitches because your fastball is not a threat right now, they're eventually going to catch up to it. And they need him to step up. And he's just not doing it right now.

Yeah. You can say that again, Shaq. I think you kind of nailed that there. I know. He's been absolutely dreadful. This is great. I mean, this is the... Very positive I know. He's been absolutely dreadful. This is great. I mean, this is the- Very positive right now.

But it's the truth. I want to believe in him, but when we're seeing his fastball miss by the amount that it's missing right now, it's hard to be bullish on the rest of 2019 for Nola. I've tried to reverse jinx it. I'm trying to- You're trying your hardest, man.

I'm trying to bury Aaron Nola, because I don't want to, because I love him think he's amazing also no you're the you're the person who when bryce harper was signed and said the most important part of this signing is playoff nola like that was the number one reason for him coming here so no one's talking about this either i saw coming in on a billboard uh because i was driving from my parents house because oh i didn't know this i was driving a death trap for the last month what i got so i hit a deer like a year ago and uh so i didn't realize why whatever they didn't fully screw in my radiator so for the last couple days it's just i guess the screws came loose and it's been rubbing up against the front

of my car and it it severed my ac and so like i've been driving into work sweating my ass off because it's been that sucks if you're stuck in traffic on 76 in the summer i've been driving into work sweating my ass off because it's been if you're stuck in traffic on 76 in the summer i've had a car the day for years the air conditioning didn't work it is it is a rough go so i've been driving a human death trap for the last little bit and i was thinking about driving to rhode island a couple weeks ago and thank god i didn't because i may not have this podcast right now oh man and i was driving in in my dad's truck and i see a billboard with aaronola on it, drinking Yingling.

I think this is Yingling's fault. It could be. This is this year. He became the Yingling guy. I didn't expect Aaron Nola to turn into David Wells. David Wells. Yeah. Yingling could kill any man, and it's just a shame that it sunk Aaron Nola.

It's not cool, man. Just pick a better beer. I don't know. Wow. Wow. Not a lager guy. Yingling slander. I did not see this coming today.

I am speechless. I don't even know where to go from here. Drink it. Listen. Drink it. Drink it. Drink it. Nice PBR, man.

Wow. Wow. Of all the things said on the show, the most controversial thing that has been uttered was that right there. Can't wait to get the tweets. Oh, my God. I would like to say that I have no association with that comment right there. This is 100 percent a solo for its sake. All right. Before we get to the number one most important thing in your life, the only thing you actually wanted to talk about today. Any other thoughts from the series? I'm sure i'm sure i do there's just there's so much to talk about i do not have your notes read i mean what are we doing here is this a professional podcast like no no it's not what are we doing here no it's not oh i should i do the

wait spend all this time putting together this amazing show sheet it is amazing it is amazing i will save my final thought oh for my final thought. That makes sense? I think so. It's a way to go about it. All right. I have one thing that I want to bring up, but let me just say my final thought isn't is it weird for you? Ooh.

It's a good one, too. Okay. I'm so excited. I would like to guarantee that it is a thousand percent weird. Ooh. I'm very excited for this. It is. But it does involve high school fritz, which was obviously a different animal. But we will get to it in a little bit. I'm very excited for this. It is. But it does involve high school fritz, which was obviously a different animal.

But we will get to it in a little bit. I literally cannot wait for this. I might want to just not do the rest of the pod and go to final thoughts, Jack. Okay. So my final notebook thought is... The face you made when you said that. You're like, is this right? Is this the right thing to say?

Is there 2017 Eagles potential with this Phillies team? No. And someone else said this. I think Joe DiCamera actually might have said it. Because Marcus Hayes wrote a whole column about it. Did he? Didn't read it. No.

Why would you? Yeah, I mean, of course there is theoretically. I just, whenever anyone says there's 2017 Eagles potential, I just say no because that was a once-in-a-lifetime thing that's never going to happen again, is really the way I look at it. I don't disagree, but I do think there is something to everyone has to step up now that McCutcheon's out. Not that McCutcheon is on the same level as Carson Wentz, because he's not,

but he was relied on to do so much, whether it was defensively, base running, getting on base. Yeah, veteran leadership, all that stuff. Like, all that stuff. Yes. Now everyone else kind of has to step up their own games in a way. Like, I thought Bryce didn't hit the home runs on this road trip, but he did the little things right.

Oh, I totally agree. I thought Bryce had a great road trip. And yesterday's game, I almost said Sunday because whatever, but in yesterday's game, like, he should have hit a home run. I mean, the ball was not traveling yesterday. He could have easily had a home run to left field. He's been going the opposite way. He laid down that bunt.

Love that bunt, by the way. That was fun. I always, I'm always like, lay down the bunt! They're shifting! Lay it down! I thought it was fun. I have another final notebook thought that I just remembered. But I just think that, you know, with everyone else has to step up a little bit.

Real Muto has to be a little bit better. Like, for a five-hole hitter, JT Real Muto needs to be better offensively. You gave up 6-0 Sanchez for this guy. Totally. And I think Real Muto, I'm glad he's here. I think he's a quiet leader on this team. But if you're going to be our 5-hole hitter, I need an OPS over 800. I think that's fair.

I think it's an incredibly fair thing to ask. So Real Muto, I'd like to see him step up a little bit offensively. He's been better recently, but I want to see more. Reese has been dreadful. He's been horrendous. And this is what we have to accept with Reese. Like, he is super streaky. Like, month-to-month streaky.

Unbelievable. And we thought he was going back into one of the good streaks with the Milwaukee Trippie at the two homers, but then has reverted back to cold Reese. I don't like cold Reese. I hate cold Reese. Especially as someone who owns him on two fantasy teams. I'm getting screwed three times over on cold reese so can you not do that please um but yeah i just think a big matchup this week there is potential for this team just everyone being a little bit better with antrim cutcher being out and i don't think they're going to be 2017 eagles like because i think like that team was that team

was it was the perfect it was and it was the perfect storm of situation and group of guys. There's so many. I think that is irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre-

Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre-

Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre-

Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre-

Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre-

Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre-

Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre-

Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre-

Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre-

Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre- Irre-

Irre- Irre- Irre- Irreplicable. Okay. Well. You can't replicate it. That's what I'm trying to say, Jack. Spit it out. I kind of did. But I would like to see how they respond. I think they responded well in the San Diego series.

I think it's a great point, and I agree with you. I think if guys can't all step up, there could be some sort of special type of feel to this team. Yes. My second notebook thought is when I watched Bryce recently like i think pitchers step up when they face bryce harper like i think they see bryce and they're like i gotta make amazing pitches like this is not really an excuse for bryce i just think that they they don't give him anything to hit like you rarely see bryce get a mistake like they always seem to make sense from a human

perspective right like oh that's bryce harper i'm gonna really try and up my game and get this guy out and the reason the reason I was thinking this was when he laid down that bunt the first pitch he saw was 96 in the outside corner and I could kind of see in his face like well what am I gonna do with like what is he what is Bryce Harper gonna do with 96 in the outside corner like the only thing he has to hope for is that they miss and he can just drive it or whatever and eventually later in the game they. But I like the idea of, hey, man, I got to just accept that I'm not going to hit that pitch. I'm not going to do it. I would spoil it or whatever. Or I'd ground out to the first baseman trying to pull it or whatever.

And obviously, the bunt doesn't really help, but it does keep the train moving, and that's fine. I noticed that no one really gives Bryce much things to hit. They seem to always just muster up just enough to get... Very Barry Bonds of him. It's good, and I like to see him adjust to that. Really, I mean, in his last 20 games,

he's batting over 300. He's been really good. So everyone called that. And again, the opposite field stuff. Just seeing the way he's swinging, the swing doesn't look as labored, as violent. He just looks like it's easy now.

And I'm not noticing the strikeouts. I was starting to notice. Me too. I was going to say the same thing. Before, it felt like he was striking out every time he came into the plate. Now, it's like, I don't end a game and be like, wow, Bryce struck out a bunch. Yeah, I mean, he's up to 80Ks in the season, but I just don't feel it. I agree with you on that. I think that's

a good point. Alright, I don't know how we've gone 40 minutes into this show and the MLB draft happened and we haven't talked about it yet. It's crazy, right? It's upsetting. We're going to talk to Nate Vosnot in a second. First, Bryson Stott. Jack Fritz tweets out like mere seconds before the pick,

give me Bryson Stott and I'll be happy. They gave you Bryson Stott. They did. And man, am I glad they did. I think the guy is the best college shortstop in the draft. I am shocked he was there at 14. I thought he was going to be a... There was mock drafts throughout the season that he was going to be a top five pick.

He was even rumored to be number two to the Tigers at one point. Or whatever, to the Tigers at some point in the draft in the top five. So the fact that he was there at 14, I don't you know, a lot of people worried there has to be a reason why he was slipping. I just, I'm not sure there was. Baseball draft's weird. It's not like other sports. Like sometimes guys, look

Mike Trout went 25th. Yeah. It's weird. Yelich was 18th or 23rd, one of those two. But I just think that Bryson Stott is a really, really solid player. I like that he was undrafted out of high school and under-recruited. I like betting on those kind of guys. I do, too.

I like that he was... He's got a chip on his shoulder. Yeah, I just... I'm a chip on the shoulder guy. As am I. Goes to UNLV. Just tears the ball off the cover. Or the cover off the ball.

Cover off the ball, whatever. Solid defensive shortstop. May move to third base. This year, he fixed his swing and started launching the ball a little bit more. He had 10 home runs this year. His strikeout rate was only 13%. It's up from, I think, 6% the year

before. The year before, he almost had more stolen bases than strikeouts. In his last two seasons, he had more walks than strikeouts. I like that kind of guy. Me too. And I like the general philosophy the Phillies have had in the last couple of drafts in the first round.

They're drafting guys that put the sweet spot of the bat on the ball. They draft guys that are making hard contact. We've seen that with Haseley so far, is the guy makes hard contact. He may not have the home runs. He may not have the power., he may not have the power, and the reason why he was not such a highly regarded prospect was because of the power. And again, he was the eighth pick in the draft. Let's not make Adam Haseley out to be some nobody as a prospect.

He was the eighth pick in the draft. He's someone who had some pedigree to him. Yeah, and I just feel like no one decided to look at his... His first 11 games when it was cold and bad weather. Horrible. After that, the guy had an OPS over 950. He's batted close to 300 or 300 at every level he's been at. He's a guy who makes contact and hits

the ball. I just like the idea of the general philosophy of take guys that know how to hit and hope to unlock the power later. I agree with you. I think that makes a lot of pragmatic, logical later. I agree with you. I think that makes a lot of pragmatic, logical sense. I just,

I loved Hunter Bishop, but then I started diving into the numbers. Like, that guy struck out 22% in college this year. In college? Down from 30% the year before.

Yeah, that's not great. No, that's something to worry about. So, I like that. And he puts the bat on the ball. And his swing, honestly,

the more I watched it, was, it reminded me a lot of Cesar Hernandez. Ooh, really? Like, they're the same kind of swing. Not a switch hitter, though. Not a switch hitter, only from the left side, but I'm ecstatic. I think he's a really, really solid prospect,

and I'd be lying if I haven't stopped thinking about Franski saying, Scott to Stott, on to first, double play. Oh! Come on, tell me that's not perfect. Oh, buddy! Tell me that's not perfect. Oh, buddy! Tell me that's not perfect. All right, we got Nate Fusnot coming up in a sec. Wait, was that the only thing we're talking about the draft? No, I'm about to ask you.

Come on! This guy. You unlocked this. Let me finish my question. I was going to say, we're about to talk to Nate Fusnot in a second. Who else stood out to you from the Phillies draft, Jack? Well, thank you for the introduction. second who else stood out to you from the philly's draft jack well thank you for the introduction let's see you don't you don't unlock the the cage and then not let the big dog eat i made a mistake

i have to i have to accept my mistake like gene segura acknowledged made a mistake and he made a human error i made a human error so go i'm about to gush about jamari baylor in the third round and you're just like oh we'll talk to to Nate Fosna in a little bit. No, I wasn't going to. You didn't let me get it out. But go ahead. Tell me about Jamari. Honestly, for as excited as I am about Bryson Stott,

the fact that he was there and I just think he's going to be a solid major leaguer like in a Brandon Crawford-like type, but not defensively, but better offensively, I am just as excited about Jamari Baylor. He's a little bit underrated, I think, just throughout the draft process. And the only reason why i'm as excited as i am about him is that his hands are like lightning quick like hands i will always i will always take a shot on lightning quick hands like

i just i like quick you can't you can't teach quick hands they kind of just are there and jamari baylor he's he's gonna fill out even more um and i think he's gonna be a third baseman down the road i don't know if he's gonna be amazing but I will take a shot on those kind of hands oh another thing about Bryson Stott 20 if he adds 20 pounds like he's he's gonna be he's gonna be a beast he has a little bit more weight if I'm if I'm him then the Phillies went into they they gave they're finally adding guys that don't throw 89 to 91. Thank God. What a novel concept.

Get guys who throw hard. What? I know. But I think the Phillies pitching development staff, I think is really good. Obviously, we haven't seen crazy results, but the fact that they've been given kind of eh talent and being asked to turn it into way better than they should be.

Like, like they're, they're, they're turning average talent into major league caliber players. Now the Phillies, I feel like are starting to give them really like give them clay that with that, with like actual stuff and letting them mold that into something beautiful.

Like they did that with Eric Miller. He's this guy from Stanford. Um, he was one of the best college arms left on the board at that point he's a lefty can get the 97 like what yeah you had me at lefty 97 i was like yep reminds me reminds me of will smith a little bit just same kind of mechanics um but struck out like 12 guys per nine but still has walk issues um gunner mayors of wow don't worry about talking about him. Two guys I'm really excited about,

most excited about is Andrew Scholes, their sixth round pick. Topped out at 100, 101. Nice. Always take that. And a super high spin rate. 15 Ks per nine. Wow, so this guy's perfect.

Walks everyone, but it's okay. It's okay. It's okay. We'll take that. They went reliever in the sixth and seventh round, which is fine. I like the idea in the first round of drafting contact guy and a guy that you know that can put the barrel to the baseball. I think that's brilliant.

Jamari Baylor's guy with quick hands. I'll take that. And then they went with high upside arms with actual stuff that you could believe on. And those type of guys, those relievers at least, are the type of guys who can help you soon. Those are guys who can move up their assistant very quickly as well.

Correct. The Phillies are trying to be World Series caliber starting next year I would think. And drafting those kind of guys and seeing what this development staff can do with them I think is a smart strategy. And then some are saying that the Phillies got Alex Bregman 2.0 in the 8th round with Nate Fosnut. Yes! Some are saying

it. Who's saying it? Let's find out. And we'd like to welcome in. This is very exciting for us. As you know, if you listen to this show, that basically Jack Fritz's favorite thing on the planet is the Major League Baseball draft. It is.

It is. I do love it. It's just what it is. Listen, there may be five people that care about it. I'm one of those five people. Yes, you are definitely one of those five people, but we are lucky enough today to actually have on the show someone who was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies

eighth-round pick, Mr. Nate Fosnot. Nate, what up, brother? How you doing? Appreciate you having me. All right, so, Nate, I'm going to start out with something hilarious that happened to me this morning. So I have a six-month-old daughter. We have a wonderful nanny who takes care of her three days a week.

I bring her to the house, and I go in this morning, and I'm going to drop my daughter Zoe off. And Jess, this girl, knows that I work in sports, and she says, Hey, you want to hear something funny? My cousin got drafted by the Phillies yesterday. And I said, Your cousin isn't Nate Foss not by any chance, is it? She said, yes it is. So your cousin Jess is my nanny. Seriously?

I swear to God. That's wild. I couldn't believe it. I was like, I'm literally talking to him today. So Jess says hi. That is the smallest world ever. Said your second cousin's hilarious. It blew says hi. That is the smallest world ever. Said your second cousin's hilarious. It blew me away.

I was like, wow. So this is perfect. This is meant to be today. That's actually wild. I know, man. I know. Well, so let's start there. I mean, like, obviously, we're seeing it firsthand.

You have local connections. You're from around here. You grew up a Phillies fan. What's it like? I mean, it's one thing to get drafted into the major leagues, to live out that dream. But to be drafted by your squad, what is that like? Yeah, it's actually a crazy feeling.

I grew up going to the games all the time. We've had season tickets there. Went to the World Series back-to-back years, no 8, no 9. It's just been a huge part of our lives growing up in Philly, saying it's just crazy to actually like have the dream actually starting to come true. What was your, uh,

what was your favorite world series game that you went to? Like, which ones were you at? Any memorable ones? I believe we were at, um, game four of the 08. Oh,

nice. So what was that? That was the, that was the Moyer game? Yeah. Oh, so you didn't, you didn't go to was where we were at. That was the Moyer game? Yeah. Oh, so you didn't go to bed until at least, what, 3 a.m.? Because the game started at 10?

Well, who was your favorite Philly growing up? I'd say between Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley. Those were my two favorite guys. I think that's a safe two to have. Yeah, everyone that played baseball in the area that grew up playing baseball, it was always Utley was the guy that all the coaches were like, Hey,

we need you to play like that. Do that. Do what that guy does. Yeah. Gritty players, both middle infielders. Yeah. They're,

they're a lot of fun to watch growing up. Well, that's awesome. So take us through like how this all played out. What happened? How did you, you know, were you expecting,

did you have an idea of what round you'd go in? Did you have an idea of certain teams that were interested in you? And how did it play out that, you expecting, did you have an idea of what round you'd go in? Did you have an idea of certain teams that were interested in you? And how did it play out that you get that call and you're going to Phillies? The whole process was really complicated. I've been talking to teams throughout the whole season and everything. Just kind of gauging interest and everything. It's kind of difficult to say which team is going to go for you and what time because they have all their game plans and the draft gets so crazy and everything but i i found

out um i got the call from the phillies probably somewhere in the sixth round they said hey like we're looking for you at the a it's like wait are you like this is what we're offering like you guys are you going to take it? And I was like, yeah. Yes, absolutely. I'm not going to turn that down. Were you the easiest negotiation they've ever had? Were you like, yeah, sign me up? Yeah, it was pretty close, yeah.

Basically, tougher negotiation, Bryce Harper or you, Nate, right? Yeah, definitely Harper. That's awesome, man. What do you think about this squad now? I mean, obviously, you know, being, right? Yeah, definitely Harper. That's awesome, man. What do you think about the squad now? I mean, obviously, you know, being a Phillies fan, you know that the last, you know, seven years prior to this have been pretty tough to watch, but now the team, like, you're coming into the organization

at a real time of change, positive change for this team. Yeah, it's definitely a good place for me to be in, too. Just being able to work up and just do my thing. I mean, yeah, Segura is there for, what, 2022? I believe so. I don't know how long Segura's there, but it's definitely a good opportunity to be there. I know Jimmy Rollins is one of the advisors, too, I think, actually.

Yeah, he is. Yeah, and he does some of the games on the broadcast, too. Jimmy's around, man. You're going to get to hang out with Jimmy Rollins. Yeah, he'll be working directly with Jimmy Rollins. That's absolutely crazy, isn't it? Yeah, that's actually, you know, we're looking forward to that. I bet.

So, Nate, your freshman year, you come out like gangbusters. You have a monster year down in George Washington. You go to the Cape Cod League. As a freshman, I think that's pretty crazy. And did well in the Cape Cod League. Did well in the Cape. And sophomore year, you still batted like 275, so it wasn't like a down year. And then this year, you came out and had a monster junior year.

What changed between your sophomore year and your junior year? I would say a lot of it it I worked with my coaches on mentality and a lot of that stuff, just learning from that to that, just understanding the game, analyzing what I'm doing, analyzing what the other team's doing to me. I think that's one of the biggest things. So just a lot of the mental side of the game is huge for my improvement. So sadly, I'm sure there are a lot of people, in addition to Jack,

who have been watching your highlight films and whatnot since you've been drafted. But for the majority of our listeners who don't get to watch as much college baseball, that type of stuff, who would you compare yourself to? If you had to take a player in the majors now or someone historically, if you had to say, that's the guy I emulate, that's the guy I think I want to be or be like, who would you kind of compare yourself to? I've kind of compared myself to Alex Bregman,

kind of similar. You are talking my language, Nate. What was that? You're talking my language, brother. Really? Yeah. I think we have really similar playing styles. We have similar body types, full sets, all that stuff. I think he's one of the guys that I've been watching a lot.

He's a lot of fun to watch of the present-day players. But yeah. Oh, I love this. Just the headline here is, Nate is our Alex Bregman, and I'm going to roll with that. Yeah, I'm fully believing at this point. Now, Nate, I do have an inside source that says that you are a diehard Game of Thrones fan,

and I would like to know what you thought of the final episode. I am. So I really enjoyed how they ended it. You're the one. I kind of liked how they ended it. I'm not a huge fan of how they got there. Yeah, I think that's a good way to put it. I think what they did in the last episode was necessary.

Yeah, I think I was a little disappointed in how the whole season shaped up, but I do like how they finished it. I agree. I have no problem with where the characters end up. It's how they ended up there that's my issue. I think it was Rush and all that. Who's your favorite character? Who's your Game of Thrones person?

So I really, over the seasons, really like Arya. Yes. Her flight and her secret. She's a badass, man. Badass, yeah. She's a badass. Yeah, we are a very Pro Aria podcast

We've talked a lot About Aria Stark On the show Jack had a real problem With her sex scene though Yeah it was a weird It was just weird That wasn't necessary

It felt awkward It was like She's our little girl I mean come on Nate do you think It's fair Like to compare Jon Snow

Being wasted in At the Night's Watch to Nick Pavetta being wasted in AAA? Yeah, I think you can compare that. I think it's comparable. Can you compare it? Is that really a comparison that we're going to make here today? Well, I just did. I just did.

Yeah. In case you didn't know, Jack is a fan of Nick Pavetta, Nate. Yeah, he's a cool dude., Jack is a fan of Nick Pavetta, Nate. Yeah, he's a, he's a cool dude. He's a Western. He's got a lot of stuff. He does have lots of stuff. Yeah, he does. All right. So what's the next step for you? Do you know where you're going to go play? You're going to rookie ball? Like what's the next step for you? So I, uh, I have to report to Clearwater spring training on Saturday. And then from there I'll have to go through like all of the physicals and paperwork and Saturday. And then from there, I'll have to go through all of the physicals and paperwork and everything.

I believe I'll have a mini-camp for a couple days, and then I'll figure out my assignments from there. I don't actually know where I'm going to be in a couple weeks, but I have to go down to Clearwater first. I have a very, very, very, very important question for you. You're going to be in the Philly system.

You're going to be there. Are you going to be telling everyone about the High Ops podcast and how important it is to Philly's nation? Yes, very important, Nate. Absolutely. What are you talking about, man? Nate, this has been a joy, man. I could talk to you every day, brother.

Nate, seriously, man. Thank you so much for coming on with us we're super excited about it again just like you know as huge Phillies fans like when we actually

get to see someone we had Phil Gosselin on the pod like when people actually get the opportunity to live out their dream with their hometown team it's just one of the

coolest stories in sports and you actually get to be that yeah man and you'd think Mike Trout would have wanted to do that too but just don't just don't just don't go think Mike Trout would have wanted to do that too,

but just don't go the Mike Trout route, okay, Nate? That's all we're asking here. All right, yeah. All right, man. Well, thank you. I appreciate you guys having me.

Oh, it was our pleasure, Nate. Nate Fosnot. That was pretty fun, man. That's a good tease right there. Ah, what can I say? Yeah.

What can I say? Yeah. All right, before we get to the final thoughts. I'm doing a working radio. Are we doing, we're going to start final thoughts? Let me look at my sheet here.

Yes. I'm good with final thoughts. All right. Before we get to the final thoughts, let's do, let's remind people about the ratings thing. Yes. Please.

So we, we still have the Bryce Harper unreleased podcast. That is the, he is not ever coming here. Why would you ever get your hopes up? The Phillies always crush our hopes and dreams podcast. We decided that when we get to a thousand ratings, we will release the Bryce Harper podcast.

We will release the podcast. The long lost Bryce Harper podcast. We're at 350 ratings. A long way to go, but there will be a reward at the end. There will be a reward at the end there will be a reward we have to do this please do this for us for jack and i would like to uh i'll do my final thought first because my final thought actually related to ratings shout out to neighbor dan

neighbor dan turns out my neighbor lives like two houses away from me stops me on the street he's like hey are you james seltzer i'm like, yes. He's like, I love Iopes, man. I am such a big fan. He's like, I got my shirt in the house. I wish I were wearing it. I was like, well, I got to buy you a beer. Shout out to neighbor Dan. How cool is that?

Did he move in knowing that you were two doors down? Probably not. That'd be weird. But I'm happy he's there. It was very cool. We were talking about the whole, you know, all the show. And he's asking me questions. It was awesome. It was very cool. We were talking about the whole, you know, all the show, and he's asking me questions. It was awesome.

It was very cool to meet Neighbor Dan. And Neighbor Dan, nice enough to leave us a review, said, I ran into James on the street. Turns out we're neighbors. So I won't read the full review. You know what? I'm going to read the full review. I ran into James on the street today. Turns out we're neighbors, and he was nice enough to talk to me, so the least I could

do is leave a review. My favorite Phillies podcast by far. I've been listening since episode one, which is... That's a long time ago. I mean, I don't think I've been listening since episode one. And it's an immediate listen when it comes out Mondays and Thursdays. I can talk about how funny they are, how good the show is, but my favorite thing about them is how much they love baseball.

I've listened to the Bryce Harper Signs podcast so many times. Let's get them to release the lost episode dan it was awesome to meet you man seriously uh i made my day i called jack immediately after i was like you're not gonna believe it but um shout out to neighbor dan and for leaving a review please that it makes us so happy so please leave us a review yes and there may be a another we had we had talked to someone about this yes we maybe have some other potential like just start the review thing now

because when we get to certain milestones it's not just the Lost Price Harbor podcast we get some other potential cool things on the way

based on these we're basically a pyramid scheme if we could be honest we're basically just shilling for reviews okay that's what we're doing

if you get to a certain level you can win a car a pyramid scheme with no benefit to you other than eventually you might get to listen to this podcast and do something cool or whatever that's for sure all right final thoughts number one is please get adam hazley a new number i do not want to see number 40 anymore you might have to fight john richie i heard this it was egregious did he wear 40 with the raiders or something couldn't he wanted to 40 is his favorite number he is such a fan if he wore 48 but he is such a fan of number 40 well i would like my

center fielder not to wear number 40 i think he'd look good with number seven okay i think seven be a great number for him big seven guy all right and my important thing to mention yes my my final final thought yeah mixed with an stop talking. Mixed with an, Stop talking. Mixed with an, is it weird? Ooh, yes, yes, yes. I'm so excited about this. So in high school,

Oh, it's definitely weird. When Hunter Pence, you know, he hit the walk-off, it was not a home run, but it was a hit. Yes. And he said,

good game, let's go eat. Of course, to Greg Murphy, I remember. To Greg Murphy, and we would like to recreate that. I would like to bring back Hunter Pence, who somehow has an OPS over 950. I don't know what is happening with Hunter Pence,

but he's awesome. World Series pedigree. Can still play the outfield, and it is raking this year. I'm all in on bringing in Hunter Pence, if need be. Who would have ever thought we'd be saying... Crazy, right?

Yeah. Because I was so... I mean, it looked like he was out of baseball, too. I know. It looked like he was cooked. And I was so frustrated when he was hyping up the Giants, because I thought he did nothing here.

Oh, yeah. And then he goes out there and wins a World Series. And turned into a leader. All he did here was ground out of double plays. And be awkward and goofy looking. So two things. We had senior shirts, and on the back of our shirts, we could put whatever we wanted.

I put, let's go eat. And my senior yearbook quote is, good I put let's go eat. And my senior yearbook quote is good game, let's go eat. Is that weird? A little weird. It's like a little bit. This guy likes the Phillies a little too much. Yeah, exactly. It's a little weird because it's like such a deep cut.

Like it's a deep cut. You got to be watching the Phillies that night, the walk off, watch the interview after, and then be so enamored with it that you bring it back again and again and again. If there's one thing about me that I think a lot of people are starting to learn is I'm a big inside joke.

I go deep. You have to work to get the jokes that I... Sometimes you say jokes and I'm like, what? I don't even get it. It's good. You have to work to understand some of the things I say. And that's what we want you to do. We don't even have to work for it. So, Good Game, Let's Go Eat is forever my senior yearbook quote.

That is really hilarious. It's very on brand. It's weird. It's very on brand. If only Pavetta was around. It would have been Breakout Pavetta. It would have been hashtag brand new Pavetta. Well, this is actually brand new Pavetta. Yeah. I think we got aout Bavetta. It would have been hashtag brand new Bavetta. Well, this is actually brand new Bavetta.

Yeah. I think we got a brand new Bavetta. And we're going to see him again before we talk again on Monday. Saturday. Right? Is it? Yeah. Yeah.

It's Thursday. It's not Monday. Yes. Man, I got real issues with this. Yeah, we all do. Everyone does. Thank you to Nate Fasnacht for joining us. I still, I'm going to pick up my daughter from his cousin, which is so weird.

Yeah, he was like, wait, are you serious? I couldn't believe cousin Which is so weird Yeah he was like He was like Wait are you serious I couldn't believe it I was the one who was like Are you serious To my nanny I was like Jess are you serious

Is this a real thing Like I'm talking to him today Pretty cool Wait last thing Tyler Maylee Versus Zac Eflin The Phillies will rock Tyler Maylee

Oh yeah We didn't even talk About the Red series It was like Oh all these others We told you we had a lot To talk about We did

I'm really Who would have thought that we desperately need Zach Eflin back, but we desperately need him. I'm so happy he's back. Me too. I'm glad it's not a lingering issue, hopefully. Was golfing this week? You know, I think you can barely get out of bed.

You're able to golf. I'm going to go with, Kapler wanted to use the opener so bad. He's like, Zach, just take a week off okay well I would not like him to I would not like them to make a habit of doing that but uh

Eflin versus Maylee Tyler Maylee stinks I mean like he he can throw a good fastball but like they're gonna tee off yeah the the the real tough one's gonna be Sunday when

they face Cy Young and Tanner Luis Castillo well they're not they're facing Sonny Gray so you don't have to worry about that Sonny Gray on Saturday and Luis Castillo on Sunday no

it looks like on this it's Tanner Roark on Saturday They're facing Sonny Gray, so you don't have to worry about that. Sonny Gray on Saturday and Luis Castillo on Sunday. No, it looks like it's Tanner Roark on Saturday. Really? Listen, man, I'm not lying here. When I checked it yesterday, it had them as... If they face Luis Castillo, that's a big problem.

I hope they don't face... Let's hope they don't face... Let's go with they're not facing Luis Castillo, because I prefer that. Yes, me too. Pavetta versus Roark, the biggest start of the century.

Two and three, baby. Sonny Gray versus Aaron Nola. Sonny Gray's been decent. He's starting to come back around. If they wanted to, if the Reds fall out of this, Sonny Gray's signed through next season. Oh, he's a perfect type of guy to trade for theoretically. I would like to see them trade for him. If they sell him,

I would be interested in seeing what they can get for Sonny Gray or how they could acquire Sonny Gray. Two or three. Two or three. Take two or three two or three take two or three i think we need to put that on a shirt we should it's great it's all we say it's all i feel just take two or three it's all i want every time just take two because you don't want to say a sweep no you don't want to say one or three no like it's the same thing as like sixers and six like there's always six games no matter what take two or three all right two or three. All right. Two or three. We'll talk to him on days for himself.

All-star closer, Kenley Jansen. We have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball isn't boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago.

It is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is. Another fact. So jump aboard the BIB Express. Follow and listen to Baseball Isn't Boring, presented by Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts.