High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Today, We Are A Team USA Pod

Episode Date: March 17, 2026

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz preview tonight's WBC final between the USA and Venezuela. Later, the guys give their thoughts on how some key Phillies have performed in the tournament and look ahead to next week's Opening Day. Presented by Miller Lite. To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.com 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

Miller Light, the official beer partner of your Philadelphia Phillies, is proud to serve as presenting sponsor of WIP's High Hopes Pod. So whether you're listening to the game, catching off on the latest High Hopes Pod or at the ballpark. Remember, it tastes like Miller time, Phillies fans. Celebrate responsibly. Hey, Ontario, come on down to BentMGM Casino and see what our newest exclusive the Price is Right Fortune Pick has to offer.

Don't miss out. Play exciting casino games based on the iconic game show. only at BetMGM. Check out how we've reimagined three of the show's iconic games, like Plinkgo, Clifhanger, and The Big Wheel into fun casino game features. Don't forget to download the BetMGM Casino app for exclusive access and excitement on the Price's Right Fortune Pick. Pull up a seat and experience the Price's Right Fortune Pick,

only available at BedmGM Casino. BetMGM and GameSense remind you to play responsibly. 19 plus to wager. Ontario only. Please play responsibly. you have questions or concerns about your gambling or someone close to you. Please contact Connects Ontario at 1866-531-2,600 to speak to an advisor free of charge. Ben-M-Ggium operates pursuant to an operating agreement with Eye Gaming Ontario.

This is the High Hopes podcast. I hope. On the Odyssey app and Sports Radio 94 WIP. less along. Yo. It is another edition of the high hopes podcast, sponsored by Miller Light, official partner of the Philadelphia,

Phillies, tastes like Miller Time, Philadelphia celebrate responsibly. I think today, Jack, we are officially a USA baseball podcast. Finally. We joke about being a raised pod.

We've all that stuff. Today, for one day only, USA baseball pod. How you doing, buddy? Let's go. Yeah.

Let's go. You're going to stay up for it? I am. Wow. I'm going to attempt. I'm going to, I'm going to go for it. I'm going to go for it.

Wow. The 8 o'clock starts a little annoying, but, you know, I'm used to like 640 these days with baseball games. Yeah, yeah. So I will say this. The Venezuela game last night ended at like 10.30. Oh, that's not bad. That's manageable. Not bad.

I can do that. Because believe me, I'm with you, pal. I've been getting up early. I've been getting up early. Yeah, I know. You're in that time in life right now. Oh, dude. So just real quick.

Just real quick. This is a message to Sutton and Walker. 1230 last night, Saudi starts. 1.30. Walker comes in. He doesn't go back to bed till four. I mean, holy cow, what are we doing, boys? What are we doing?

This stupid basketball game to prepare for. You're all right, by the way, with the basketball thing. No. I won't, we won't have to talk. Once it's over. Once it's over, I'll be fine. No. No, so, yeah, so part of the interrogation of James Seltz today.

Yes, please. Yeah, bring it on. Well, I just, I need to know if you're, if you're feeling it for the world baseball class. I am. I'm in, dude. Like, I am in. Like I still can't say that like I won't be like heartbroken if you lose night. Like I'm not like, you know what I mean?

But but I have I've been wait. Dude, I've watched almost like other than last night. I couldn't say up for the Italy game. That was too late. But like the games on the weekend. I've watched every single game. I've had the TV on from like three o'clock on when the games are on. There's a lot of there's a lot of stars.

And and it's high level baseball. Like, and here's the thing that really gets me. And I felt it a little bit the last time. But this time it's really grabbed me is because like the last time I felt how much like, the fans cared, like the Mexican fans and the Puerto Rican fans and all these like games and, and like, and the players cared last time, but this time like it, these players care so much. Like they are playing these games.

Like they're playoff games. And it's like if you're a baseball fan, I don't know, you can really sit on and watch these games and not get wrapped up in it. Well, and that's where I was, I was sitting there on Sunday night as I was like on the edge of my seat watching the USA Dominican game. Unbelievable game. I'm like, this is the best tournament in sports. It might be. It's a great tournament. It's so intense.

And like these, these other crowds. That's why I was rooting so hard for Venezuela last night. Yeah. Because I'm so sick and tired of the Italy thing. I know. And it's like, I appreciate.

We love you, Dante Nori and Ernolla. They're not Italian. Not at Marr. Dante Norris is Canadian. He should be playing for the Canadian team. Besides out of Gary, the Philadelphia is actually Italian.

It's like, and like, and like, you see the Venezuela crowd is, is like living and dying with it. Was there anyone from Italy there? I don't see anyone. So, like, I wanted Venezuela to win so bad last night.

And by the way, like, we always talk about the Dominican and Puerto Rico. Yeah, you're right. Venezuela is crazy good at Bay. Yeah. You look up and down the ride. They're choreo batting ninth. Yeah. I mean, they are, I love the Venezuela team.

So I just think there's so many stars in it. And you look at the, this is the, I think last, I think last WBC, I think it landed, you know, having Otani in it. Otani Trout thing felt big and all that at the end and all that. But this one is the one that I think is really put it on the mat. It feels like it's jumped, right? Like I feel it so much more watching these games than I did three years ago. Yeah.

And I just, you're always blown away by the crowd in Miami. And it's because you're so used to it being a morgue. It looks weird. It's crazy. Every seat filled. And people going crazy. People are loud.

I mean, it's the best. I mean, it's red October. It's like that type of baseball. It's wild. It's wild. And the loudness in which it gets, it's crazy. And it's just so funny that in two weeks it's going to be dead again.

I know. I know. It's going to be like a white socks. Royals at 1 o'clock on a Tuesday. There's going to be eight people in the sand. It's been so good. It's been so good. The games have been really,

really high level. Even like Venezuela versus Japan was awesome. It was a great game. Had to go to bed. Oh, so I actually stayed up for that one since it was a weekend. It was great. Dude, that late Homer, like that was, it like it almost felt like I could feel the shaking of the

stadium through the TV. So that's why I'm glad that Venezuela won last night because it should set up for a great atmosphere. Yeah. Should set up for an awesome atmosphere. And I don't, I don't know. I don't know what to feel. I know because it's like the USA is not.

They haven't played great at all. You know, even the first two games that they dominate or whatever, it was mostly like that first game, they won by like 10 runs, but seven of them got walked in and then I didn't whatever. You know, it hasn't felt like they've really been clicking on all cylinders at any point. And yet they're sitting here now. And they look like they feel the pressure of it all. Yeah.

They look like they're a little bit tight, which is, which is good, I guess. I don't know. I cannot wait for the game tonight. I'm really excited for him. Nolan McLean was coming off being sick the last time. Yeah. And he's so nasty, dude. Oh, yeah.

It's such a shame. He's a Matt. It's such a shame. I actually, I know he's in Matt. I like him. I like him too. No, it is hard to not like the guy, you know? And I'm sure when I see him more in a Mets uniform, I'll grow to hate him.

Sure. We'll get there. But right now I've only seen Pitch him. met him for a few times. So I don't even make the connection. We're getting used to this is our first season without Alonzo. Yeah. That's true. Yeah. A whole different. Like they're going to be less hateable. I mean, we'll hate them, but I mean, they got rid of all the guys who don't like. They're all dorks. Seriously. All three of those guys are dorks. All the dork. I don't think they had dork now.

I know. I mean, I like Freddie Peralta. I love that. I love that. I've loved him forever. Like ever since he was on a fritz list like eight years ago and I've had him on my team and I was like, this guy helped him win a league for me because he was like out of nowhere. I like saying Lynn Dork, but I like Lindor. He's great. So, so likable. And I do like,

so Noel McLean, no pressure. No pressure. Now, a little worried about the bullpen situation. You know, Mason Miller may be good

to go, I don't know, Bednar. How many pitches did Miller throw last night? Or I guess it was two nights to go. 23, maybe?

23, yeah. And I think people are making a little too much about the last call. The bitch, yeah. It was a good frame job by Will Smith.

I mean, if there was no, if there was no box, no one's freaking out about that. I agree with you. You would say it's low. It's low, but you wouldn't be like this is an outrage.

Yeah, let's change the entire, you know, course of the sport because of this level. I did feel really bad for the DR. I did too. I did too. I mean, you know what I felt worse for. Poor Christopher Sanchez again. I mean, are we really getting this guy screwed on bad strike ball calls again?

He's like, really? The poor guy, I know he wasn't pitching, but just to be on the team and like have that experience again, it's like, come on. I know, I know. Just when we got ABS and, you know, they take it away for the WBC. It's so funny. and Sanchez you get screwed on that. I know.

So I can't wait to see IBS is going to be. I am. It's been so I have not, you know, I'm not Mr. minor league baseball, especially with the WBC, but the minor league baseball I have watched,

because I'll throw it on the second TV, especially on the weekend during the day when there's and stuff. It seems like it's working pretty well in spring training from what I've seen. Yeah. I mean, I liked it last year a lot. I just, the strategy of it's going to be so funny.

And someone's going to use it in the first three innings. And it's going to be infuriating. Yeah. But, I mean, they're going to eventually have to come up with it. It's a fascinating strategy. When you use them, should the player at the plate be able to make the call by himself? You have to confer with the dugout. Like, there's so many different like angles to this that's going to play out.

I don't think they had time to. Well, that's the point is you don't, but you feel like it puts a lot on the hitter. It puts a lot on the pit, the catcher, whatever, whoever's making the call to be like, we're using our thing now. I feel confident, you know? Yeah. And using it too early, leaving yourself bare in the seventh through ninth innings and the most important. Like I just there's, I cannot wait for the

calls in a WIP about. They lose in the third inning. What are they doing? And then the ninth, that call lost in the game. That will happen. That will happen. And games are going to be decided on, on, on, on ABS calls. So. Or non-ABS calls because they used it earlier. Exactly. Yeah.

Just added another little element. But I love that. That's, it's going to add fun and consternation and discussion and all that stuff. The WBC though, you know, again, another sign of all the positive momentum in baseball. You like, don't strike. Don't strike.

These guys seriously. I just like can you all get in a room? What are we doing? And I understand like the owner, blah, blah, blah, and now it's that now, whatever.

It's just you are in such a good spot. Don't screw it up. Such a long time. Just honestly. The pitch clock. This like the changes have been so effective. Just extend the CBA. Yeah.

like extended for just give a couple years and figure it out then three more years whatever like just do not do not do this do not do this you're they've they have now that they're the number two sport in the in oh yeah country again which no one thought they could possibly do it not just that they they it's like obviously they had to ascend but it feels like everyone is excited about baseball right now the playoffs last year the changes with the pitch of talking on and everyone is the opposite with basketball it's not just the numbers it's like people don't like the sport right now. The way it's played, the tanking stuff, the three point, like

it really does feel like this kind of thing where one's going down and one's going up in the moment. Yeah. Well, and it's where they were 10 years ago, except going in opposite direction. I think it's really helped baseball too is, you know, stars obviously in big markets. Dodgers having a toni. Show it. Huge. Yeah. Shoy playing

in the playoffs. I mean, come on. Yeah. Yankees having judge. Yeah. And things like that. I think that's really going a long way towards getting baseball back in like the zeitgeist. The eye of the public. But yeah, tonight's going to be,

tonight's going to be really fun. Tonight's been really fun. I think the crowd that Venezuela is going to bring is going to make it even more fun. It's going to be awesome. There's going to be moments all over the place. The USA will be the like away squad

for all intents and purposes. 100%. No doubt about it. I hope it doesn't turn into a, you know, I have a Jeff Hoffman and not in the eighth or night. Oh, I know, buddy. I know.

I saw him sitting in the, sitting in the cold past. God, no. Who is the actual. a home team in terms of like designated the home team. I don't know either. I don't know. I don't know who's on the mound from Venezuela tonight. Eduardo. Rerigas. Oh, really? Good news for good news for us.

It has not been the same. Let's do the Bryce thing. Because I think with the WBC, in terms of Philly, that's probably been the number one thing. Yeah. Yeah. People freaking out over five games of a sample size. Yeah. Yeah. The Jack Fritz message to the, and I think the high hopes public is not, you know, as freaked out or whatever. I mean, I think we're noticing, though.

And look, I think, like, he's 30, he's going to be 34 in October. Like, yeah, like, he's not, what he used to be. I get that. What do you think of the Bryce discussion is coming right now? What I've been so surprised with the Bryce discussion, and I don't think this is me being overly sensitive on Bryce, is that it almost feels like he's reached the portion of the fan base to where they're happy that he's struggled. Yeah, it's weird. Which I just, I don't get it. Like, why?

Why do we do that here? where it's just like we're happy that a guy might not be the same player that he used to be. Now, the protection comments have not aged well. I mean, he has Aaron Judging behind him and it hasn't totally mattered. You know, the Boris comments about you put gas in the harperari and it still works so far. Obviously, it's only six games. But I just don't get this sense of writing him off or like rooting to write him off. I mean, he's-

Hoping he fails. So strange. It's so, it's, it's odd to me. So I don't think that's being overly sensitive. It's just like looking at, whenever you post anything about Bryce online, it's like, no, he's cooked this and he's a diva and a cry baby. It's like, it's weird. Relax.

He's a Philly. He's our guy. And I want, like, I do think it's notable. I think it's notable. Every single player when asked about the world baseball class is like, this is the best. I want to win the world baseball class more than a world series. Or like, it's up there with winning a world series. or the crowds here are the best.

I mean, Aaron Judge, if I was a Yankees fan, and I heard Aaron Judge say this is bigger and better than the World Series, I would be furious. Me too. Meanwhile, they asked Bryce about it. He's like, it's loud, but it's not Philly. Yeah.

It's like, what more do you want? Like, this is, this is, whatever. So the Bryce thing and the discourse around the Bryce situation. It's crazy. It's been infuriating. It's been infuriating. So I, there's concerns, right? Of course.

I pointed out the the velocity thing, you know, over years, you can look at the trends and I get it. Yeah, I mean,

the, and listen, batting average is not everything on fastballs, but it is noticeable and the best, like, Aaron,

Judge, it's over 300, every year on fastballs. And there's other stats that matter. I'm fully aware of that. But like on 95, nine hour plus last year,

he had three home runs. Three, three. And I was out of 27. Schwerbert 15. Like, like, I wonder,

about his ability to still catch up to velocity. But I think that where I come down on Bryce or how I feel about Bryce is I think he's too prideful to like let it just fall apart. Yeah. You know? Like if he

feels like all right, I can't catch up the fast balls the way that I used to. He'll start going to the opposite field. He'll start ripping, you know, the gap doubles or whatever he could do. Yeah. So I think it's going to turn to hopefully more of a doubles guy. And like look the opposite way and things like that if the struggles against velocity. to keep up.

And then he has to hunt the off speed pitches to do damage on. Mistakes, all that type of stuff. And maybe that turns him into like a 25 home run guy for the next five years. 290 or something. That's good. You're good with that, you know?

Hopefully. So I just think that I think we are in a transition period for Bryce. I agree. Where he's exiting his prime prime, peak of his powers, you know, one of the better hitters in the sport. And it's on him to adjust back. It might take a year, you know?

I mean, last year might have been the start of it. And it is funny. And I don't think he had a great year. But if you just blind look at the numbers. Oh, it's not that bad. Like was he, you know, 275, 27 a homer or something like that? Like in that range or something? The biggest thing that's kind of changed for me with Bryce is there used to be feeling that

just get Bryce up there. Just I want him up in a big moment. I mean, 23, he was great in big moments in the second half of year. 22, obviously, 21-1 MVP, all that stuff. You always felt like he was going to come through. and now it just doesn't have that same feel to it. Yeah. Which is,

that's the biggest thing that's changed. I totally agree with you. And I, I think that, I think you nailed it. Like, I don't have too much out. I think that the biggest thing is that,

first and foremost, I'm not, who were we talking to? This guy right here. I don't care if it's WBC or spring training. I'm not overreacting to five, five games, six,

you know, a pinch hit spot in the sixth game, whatever in March, like in my life for anybody on the planet. He could go, he could be over the tournament. And I wouldn't be freaking out. Just that's not the way I look at.

it. I think it takes time for these guys to get ready and all that type of stuff. But I think the biggest thing is that he's 33. He's going to be 34 in October. Like he's 33 and a half. Like this is what happens. This is the aging curve. And for Bryce, it's that thing where I think he's feeling it and realizing it in the moment as it's happening. It's like that like I feel like everyone remembers the first time they got beaten a race. I don't know if that's true enough. But I remember when you know, you win races, you're fast little kid, whatever. And then all of a sudden you're racing against someone and they're faster than you. And you're like, what the hell is happening?

How is this person running faster than me? Like, as a baseball player, it's like, Bryce has been able to do certain things his whole life. It's been able to, like, just know that I can do this and can't do them anymore. Like, that's got to be something that's hard to reckon with, especially when you're at that level of greatness for that long. Like, of course, it's going to be something that's going to be hard for him to deal with and hard for him to adjust to and change to.

But I do think it's happening. Like I think we're in that right now. And I think that expectations have to be lowered a little bit on Bryce Harper. We can't like guys, Kyle Schwerber is the best hitter on the Phillies. Sure. Yes. Like it's a fact now. So I think that we have to adjust our expectations for Bryce.

I think that people are still expecting something from Bryce that I don't think he can physically give it. Or he might not be able to or can't do it for extended consistently for extended charge, whatever you want to say. Yeah, you got to make sure he's good for October. Big time. But in the in the in the, in the, in the moments, it feels like he's, he's reaching for them.

It feels like he's pressing a bit. Chasing them. Like he wants to have that note, that marquee, world baseball classic team USA uniform where he can like save that photo. Yeah, 100%.

Like he's, it feels like he's reaching for that. Yeah. And I hope that does change with the Phillies this year. Like I thought in spring, he did a really good job. It was early.

It was a couple games. But like, he was fine taking the walks. Yeah, he was. He hit well. You know, all that.

In the WBC has not done the same job of, of taking the walks. So, and the other thing that's happening, I think, with the fastballs is, so what I, what I see is this is he looks like he is gearing up for the fastball, cheating to get to the fastball. And that's why I think you're seeing more and more chase from him because he's so geared up to go that he can't just, he can't just let it, he can't let it get deep in the zone and then just use his hands to. Like Schwerber does. Yeah. So he has to do that to get up to velocity. It's why you look at the,

you look at his bat speed or swing speed, and it's around the same. It's still like 74th percent thought. It's still, it's because he's gearing up for it. It's because he's really trying. You know what I mean? So that's where you see his chase rate jump last year

because he's so geared up with the basketball that if they go off speed, he's already super out in front of it, that he can't adjust the weight. So back in the day, he used to be able to let the fastball ride and let his hands do the talking. But I think now he's,

he's trying to gear up so much for it that it's it's increasing the chase all around and that's where when he gets back to spring training when he gets back in the games like he needs to get back to just almost playing his game taking his walks past the baton like if he hits if he hits 260 with a 390 400 OBP and 25 that's a that's about where we're at I think with price

I agree that that's a kind of season I would expect from Bryce Hartford. But he has to get that OVP back up. He has to walk. Yeah, he has to walk. That's the one skill that is supposed to age well. I think you said it. He has to understand where he is physically and what his body is telling him and say,

all right, I have to adjust. It's the same thing with pitchers, you know, when guys can't throw 100 or 95 anymore. And they have to be like, all right, I got to play with speeds. All right. I used to throw a curve at EVE. I got to throw 80. You know, I got to mix my speeds up and change my arsenal based on where my arm is. And it's the same type of thing for a hitter.

So I think that it's a lot of it is Bryce just coming to grips with where he's had. And his approach has to, you know, reflect that essentially. Look at Trey last year. Totally. Trey sacrifice and power to become a better hitter. And he won the batting title. Any one batting title. Low batting title, but he won the batting title.

It's unbelievable that that was the batting title. But, yes. Aaron Judge, bad at like 340 or whatever. 3.31. Whatever it was, yes. The most home runs by a guy who win the batting title. Was Judge? Was it really?

Wow. That's amazing. Yeah. So, dude. Imagine being able to watch Judge every night. He's so ridiculous. And he's like in his early 30s too. Like it's not like he's older than Bryce.

Is he older than Bryce? Okay. So he's actually, that's the point. Like for him, it just doesn't seem like it matters. I know. But he hasn't been playing major league baseball since he's 19.

Yep. And he's also just built different. Like it's, he is not the same. He's a monster. Like he is, he just, it's insane to watch.

Still, he's been in league forever and it's still he looks different. The size out there. It's crazy. Can you imagine? And this is not the dump on the older generations. But could you, imagine if Aaron Judge played in

like the early 2000s? Oh my God. When Jeff Supon. Not just Jeff Supon. I mean, we're the league. I mean, throwing 80. Aaron Judge would probably pass

Barry Bonds for career home runs. He would hit 80 home runs. I know. I know. The fact that Judge and Otani do what they do against these pitchers today. It's unbelievable. Like,

you can tell me the ballparks are smaller now than they used to be. I don't care. Like these guys are throwing not every single pitchers, 95 to 100 with the, with a hammer breaking ball. And then now the split. And then you bring in relievers is all guys tired through five. Let's bring in another guy out there instead of this guy wearing down and facing

the order the third time. This and that, like none of that happens anymore. Like what these guys do is crazy. It is. If they, if they played in any other era. And Mundo Sosa would win the MVP every year in the 1920s.

He would be the best player in the sport. Of course. By far. Like, people be like, look at this monster. He's the batting 400 every year. Well,

it's like, it's like Nolan Ryan. and I appreciate Nolan Ryan. There is 20 at this point. They have the same kind of festival of Nolan Ryan had. So it's crazy how good those guys are. And I think that's where, you know, the thing with Bryce, it's like the guys are getting nastier.

He's getting a little bit older. And it's just harder for him. So we'll see. But I think it is fair to lower expectations on Bryce. At Desjardin, our business is helping yours. We're here to support your business through every stage of growth, from your first pitch to your first acquisition. Whether it's improving cash flow or exploring investment banking solutions, with Desjardin business, it's all under one roof. So join the more than 400,000 Canadian entrepreneurs who already count on us.

And contact Desjardin today. We'd love to talk. Business. Hey, this is Richard Dicch, the host of the sports media podcast. If you're interested in what's happening with all the places, where you consume sports. The sports media podcast has you covered. I've been turning down interviews all week.

Hoda Copy, reached out, Oprah, George Stephanopoulos. So I said, no, I was booked on the Deich podcast before the Taylor Swift phenomenon. I must live up to my responsibility. Listen, wherever you get your podcasts. All right. Two other Phillies-related things from WBC. Nola, again, I'm not, you know, spring and, what everybody's, look,

you've got, if you went into this hoping to see something from an an anole, you've seen what you've hoped to see, I would say. Beyond. I mean, fastball back up to 94, 95, which is really encouraging. I love the, I was a huge long toss guy back in the day.

I know you've talked about this before. You love long toss. I love long toss. And I think it got lost in modern pitching development, but I think long tossing is really important from the standpoint of building arm strength and, you know, like, feeling yourself throwing hard, basically.

I think the furthest I threw it was like 80 because they always like if you could throw 80 yards in a football field, 85 yards. It all translates to velocity. If you threw 90 plus, that means you could throw end zone to end zone. Really? Yeah. Never got there. I was like, I was just just short like 10 yard line crushing. But.

So think about it. I do. I do. I do. That was peak for it. Peak of power. Yeah. But the whole thing of null going back to long tossing this off season, all of sudden the velocity.

just back up two ticks. Love it. That's exciting stuff. That's good pitching development talk. But even just his stuff looks better. It does. Basketball looks like it has more life up in the zone. I used to hate when he pitched up in the zone,

but now looking at the pitch, like it has a little bit of a rise to it, which is good. The cutter is the best it's looked. I've always hated the Nola cutter. Like I thought it was just a spinner. And it looks much more crisp now. Changeup I've been impressed within spring. I feel like in the WBC hasn't thrown as much.

But obviously that curveball is a curveball. So it's just so funny. Like pitching in this and for Dean Middley, it's like he looks like a big game pitcher. He does. It's so funny. And it's not like he's been bad for the, he's been good for the Phillies in the post season.

But with him in the post season with the Phillies, I'm like, how one's it's going to go wrong. I know. You know? And then this tournament's like he's a killer. Yeah. Which is hilarious.

But, uh, no, he's been, he's been really, really good. And, yeah, three eight to four? That's what I think he's going to be. I think a bounce back season. I'm, I'm going to like, three nineish. I think it's a three nine.

An ERA under four for Nol's. What a win. What a win. Huge win for this. Especially because if Sanchez and Lazzardo can be what that we, you know, and Wheeler, I mean, it's like we talked about this last spot, but yet again, it'll look great throwing a bit to actual hitters. And it's like every step of the way Wheeler, it's like, could he be back at the end of April? Like what's going on? You know, they, I mean, if you could have a Nola be, I mean, almost, I mean,

painter is just like a upside. It's like a sure. Like if you could have the top four, if Nola can be three nine and you have Wheeler, Sanchez, Lazzardo, Nola. I mean, that's, you're going to win a lot of regular season baseball games. And obviously, they have a real shot to play. Totally. I mean, the pitching staff is the biggest reason to believe in the far. Well, it's the thing I will say, because you know, I've been pretty down.

That was part of my interrogation. Hated the all season. That was part of my interrogation. Are you back? I've been excited. The excitement's been there for baseball. It's starting to get a little hopeful. I know.

I said I had no hope. I still, I still feel that when the playoffs come around, I'm, going to expect them not to hit and all that type of stuff. But like, I am starting to remember and not feel the pain and think logically and say, you know what, the Blue Jays almost won the freaking World Series. It is chaos in the playoffs. You just need a year where you get there and you guys throw one, guys hit well for freaking one month. I know.

Welcome. The hope is rising. Welcome. The hope is rising. Just think the Dodgers needed a measly home run from Miguel Rojas to win the World Series last year. I'm leaning on it. Okay. I'm really like the Blue Jays weren't that much better than the Phillies last year.

Okay. Like we're right there. We can do this. We're right there. Yeah. I mean, I'm glad you said that. Yeah.

It's really because I've been feeling it. You know, as a season getting close, I'm watching these guys. Like, I'm feeling it. I'm feeling it more. You see bone lifting and launching the left.

Hey, Bowman, Stott. Both, yeah, not a spring numbers guy. No. Stott is like 400.

Start is smoking. He's spending 400. I know. He was hitting 700 at one point. But he, It feels the time I turn around. I'm, I said this a few pods ago.

I'm in on the stock. I really think the 2.94 second half thing, like, it feels like the, the two strike approach going to that. Like, it just, all this stuff feels real.

I know we've been, mechanical changes have gotten us the best. This feels, this feels real to me. So the biggest thing that's happened with Stott, so Stats' hands used to be way up above his head, and he was late to every pitch. What's all I always said,

he swung a pool noodle. Yeah. And he was, flying out to left field. It was infuriating. Dropping his hands have allowed him to be way quicker to the ball.

So if he's quicker to the ball, he's already got good bat to ball skills. He's going to be a problem to get out. He's going to be an issue. So I'm more in on stock year than I am. I've seen him have his moments. But I will say it is a smidge infuriating

that like Bones talked about, yeah, like I'm just trying to pull the ball in the air more. Oh. Oh, geez. We wouldn't be in the situation. if you would have realized this three years ago and stop doing this thing of like, I'm a pure itter. Like, pull the ball in the air.

Pull the ball in the air. And if he does it this year, his contract here. He's going to hit 20 home runs. He's going to hit 285. And there's going to be discussions about you can't let him go. So it is. They're going to extend them.

There is. Four years of 80 million. Four years of 80 million. I promise you. He's going to do a good enough job. He, look, we've, He said a million times. He has so much in front of him right now, like, Bowman.

I know. Like you have. It's a horrible class. I know. It's a hard. Like he has a chance to make real money. Like go out and just hit for a year, dude. Just one you're hitting, man.

And you're there. You're going to get paid. Pull the ball in the air. He does look like he's doing a conscious job of it. I don't know why it took so long. But here we are. And I'm just, I'm telling you,

I'm telling you, he's going, there's going to be a discussion at the end of the year. You can't let him go. It would be the funniest thing ever if Bowman Stott just went off this year. Get right to learn left field. It would be the funny. All right.

One more WBC thing. Then we'll get to take back. Obviously, we've talked Harvard. We talked, you know, Nola. The thing that really matters from WBC?

Come on. Come on. All right. You see the ARO quote? Okay. So that's where I'm going to go to. Arod, bringing it to hell out.

Okay. I love, so for those who didn't hear it, Arod apparently said that he talked to a couple of baseball, general managers or whatever, who said, it right now today Dante Norrie would be starting and leading off for their team. He's 21 years old and he's played five games in AA.

Five Jack. And was not five right. He is a career 259 hitter in the minors. Higher levels that doesn't, but for ages. Look post June last year. Can we, can we chill out? I love Dante Norie. He had an amazing tournament.

I love the guy. Too much pressure on Dante Norrie chill out. Where are you out on this? Well, you were, let our guy develop a little bit, okay? You weren't there for the, uh, You weren't there for the solo pod. I'm sure you,

I'm sure you listen to it on the way in. Three times I've heard. Yeah, yeah. I spent, I, so it was about, it was after the two homer. No, no,

it was, it was after Lizarro extension. Okay, okay. Which, by the way, great deal. Oh, yeah,

we haven't talked, what an unbelievable deal. I mean, that was, for both sides. For both, yes, for, it's a good deal for Zardo,

but doing it now, if Lazzardo does, does what he did last season, this season, he would get 200 million on the market. It's a great deal. It was the rare good for both sides. Yeah. And for him, I get it.

You're coming off on career high innings. You've had injury issues. Lifetime security. I get it on both sides. But as we always care about, I'm happy he got his money. I care about what it means for my team moving forward. I think it's a great signing for the Phillies.

I think it's a great sign. And it's a great sign for how, like Caleb Gotham is viewed in baseball, in my opinion. Like I just, people want to come here and pitch under that guy and the Phillies pitching infrastructure. Also, he's like getting people paid, man.

That's what I'm saying. Not just Lizarro. Yeah, exactly. So, no, so I'm probably spent longer talking about Dantan Dore. That's the least surprising. Then the Lazzardo contract extension. So now, to be fair, Arod, owner of the Timberwolves, Dondonori's dad, assistant coach on the Timberwolves.

Ah, good to know. That's an important thing now. I didn't know Dantanori's dad was in a, wow. Micah, Micah Nori. Was he a player? Was he like a... So I actually don't think so. For some reason, he coaches that.

That's really weird. You very rarely see that. I got to look at it. But there's some story I think where he's like, I just kind of fell into this and I'm in the NBA. Good for him. But yeah, because you see it. Obviously, like Nick Narris and everybody in the other guys, but. Nick Narris is dead to the city.

Yeah, I was just a friend of the pod in my head. But he, uh, because Dante was born in Toronto where, where he was coached. Yeah, I knew he was Canadian. Yeah, or born in Canada. Is it raised in Michigan. Oh, okay. I so this is, this is. saw the baseball reference Canada thing and

that's why I'm here, pal. Thank you. So he's not Canadian. I mean, I guess is he technically Canadian? He lived there for a little bit, but then he was raised in Michigan.

But he was born in Canada. So he might be dual citizenship. Maybe. And we know he's Italian now too. Stone Italian. But God, I'm so glad they lost. I'm so glad they lost.

It would have been so U.S. Italy. Other than the rematch of the DeRosa game, there's nothing interesting about it. Cares. Like, I just, I'm so glad that I'm so glad that. by I came back in one. I want that crowd

than I'd be insane. I agree. But, uh, no, so, so obviously that's a stretch with norie. He also,

like, I'm very bullish on him. He, he did cool off. Yeah. Like he, numbers wise, he hit over like 400.

Like a 1300 OPS for this ornament or whatever. And watching, I believe every single of that, like, you know, a couple of them, whatever.

He's, so I think Norrie's going to be really good. I, I think he's going to be, he's a ball player. He really does, feel like a ball player. He's a ball player and he does, he does winning

things. Like my projection for Dante Nore. I don't know if he's going to play center or left. I don't know. I do think he, I think he's on Crawford too and how what good Crawford is in center. It does. I think Norey's a better defensive center fielder, but whatever. Like,

a typical Dante Nore year of like 270, 10 to 15 home runs. 10 to 15, you think so? I think so. Okay. Yeah, I think so. He's got to bulk up a little bit on that. of round out. Four in the minors last year. I don't think he can bulk up.

I mean, no, I mean, fill out, not bulk up. I mean, like he's still growing. But he's not,

though. No. The issue with no reason. He's just a 5-9. We're sat. We're good. Yeah. That's why he's not going to,

he's never going to be a top 50 prospect. Yeah. Because he's a winning player, but he's never going to be a, uh, like, all-star type. Yeah.

South Freight-like, yeah. He's South Freightly. It's an important player to have. Like, yeah. winning ball player. Yeah. But the future star thing.

Yeah. Like he should not be leading off for the Phillies right now. Okay. Brain it in. Yeah. Let's focus on leading off for the Redding fight.

Exactly. And ends the year in Lehigh Valley and stuff like that. But what I like about him a lot is he is someone who I do think works a really high quality at that. I thought that kind of deteriorated as the tournament went on. And he's facing more big leaguers as I thought he was chasing more. But where he's currently at, every single spring training game,

He's either looking to launch on a first pitch, which is good. It's fine. I'm okay with he being aggressive, even if it doesn't result in a hit. But it's either that or he ends up in a three-two count. And he's getting caught. He has unbelievable battles with the ABS system. Because like the 32 pitch, I feel like is always on the corner. And he's just like throwing the bat, like it knows the walk.

And it goes 50-50. He has to have the most ABS challenges. Really? Every single bat, I feel like I watch him. He's in an ABS thing. But he works a really high quality of bat. I think the power, like, again, I think a year, anore year is 270, 10 to 15 home runs. I think he's going to have a 360 plus OBP.

I think he's going to be an OBP guy. He has to be. I think he's going to swipe 30 bags. Like he's got real, real speed. And he's going to play very, very good outfield defense. That's a winning ball player. It is. Is it a superstar?

No. But it's a very good. It's like a maybe one time, two time, all star type player, if that. Very, like a mini, or a middleman's Corbyn Carroll. Sure. That's what you're ruining. Yeah, yeah. It's exactly right.

And South Freilett. I mean, that's, so the Phillies are super high on them. You know, I think that they're like happy people who are finally realizing that he's a pretty good ball player. He's never going to be a top 50 prospect, I don't believe. But he's a top of 100 prospects. And I think he's a big leaguer and he's someone that's going to help this team as long as they don't trade them. Yeah. But look, this does help his value if they do want to trade him and stuff like this is good, period.

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, we'll see. Marsh, obviously. Oh, yeah. Yeah. those three, man. Marsh Statenbaum.

Every year. I feel like they're going to be 45. We're going to come out. This is the year, boys. There they are. March is only 28. I know.

It's crazy. I mean, Stats's only 29, 30 or 28, 29. Bomes 2930. Like, they're all in that range right there. It's really young players. Yeah,

I know. Crawford Young. Crawford's 22. Like, that's young. All right. Let's get a thing. So.

I'm guessing a light one. I know you've got a lot on your mind these days. I know. I'm sorry, by the way, that you have. I know, but like, it'll be over soon. You did get bullied into it.

And I just, I don't think that should be lost in this whole thing. At no point did you ever want anything to do with this. No. And it's the whole thing's a lose, lose for me. Yeah, I always was. You had no, like there was no winning. Yeah. So I just want to say I.

Solidarity. 11.3. There you go. Good. The, uh, so we talk about lowering the expectations for Bryce. You really got a loan for painter. Uh-oh. You're really got a loan.

I'm at like 425 hope Cisory you need Nola to be good Yeah I'm worried there's going to be a conversation of do you have to keep Taiwan in the rotation Really? Wheeler's back

So it's from what you're seeing in spring Wait, what else? I mean, what else? That was a dumb question. Sometimes you just say something to keep rolling, all right? No, it's just nothing to do

with what you're doing in spring. All right? Sometimes you say dumb things. All right, let me just move on. So I just I think he's going to No, I'm just getting the feeling

you know, it's like, just something like hitting me my stomach, I just gonna feel it. Nothing to do with spring. He's looked great in spring. It's just, I don't know, you know. The results in spring have been mostly fine. And the first two winnings of the Orioles start, oh my goodness, it was like, there it is.

Like the numbers in the fastball are back to the numbers they were pre-TJ, which was encouraging. Like I don't. Just the fact that he can get there, period. Yeah, like the 17 IVB, you know, enhanced, induced vertical break. Yes, all these numbers that people look at. Now everyone's a fastball feedback expert, which I appreciate.

But I just, the fact that he dropped from 97 and started that inning, 93, after three innings, now, to be fair, in the Basalo at bat, like, he got it back up to 95. So that was encouraging. Just seeing it drop like that was, was it sent shivers on my spine. It's like, that's what Spencer Howard used to do. And I don't want to do that with Andrew Painter. But basically what I think is going to happen with Painter this year is there's going to be flashes, of course, because he does have really solid stuff. But it's kind of Lazardo-ish.

Now, Lazardo is a more established pitcher, so I think it's going to take a little bit more time. But what happened with Lizardo last year is they finally realized that his four-seamer stinks. Like his four-seemers is not a good pitch. It doesn't matter if they throw it's 97 and it gets blasted. And they went more to the sinker. And they started using everything else to get out. So like the sinker became his primary fastball. He learned that bullet sweeper, slider thing that generated swing and miss.

I think the change of this year is going to be the pitch that takes him to another level. I think he worked on an all offseason. I think that that's going to be a game changer for him. But it just changes arsenal. And I think that that's going to have to happen with Painter is right now he's still pitching like he has the dominant fastball. And he's trying to establish it over and over again. And I think that as a season goes on and as that pitch continues to get blasted, which I think it will.

The sinker is going to have to get used more because I think it's nasty. I think that pitch into Ritey's going to be a problem. He's generated a ton of soft contact. The strikeouts haven't been there. I think he's going to be more pitch to contact this year. I think all the secondaries are going to work off of it. And he has to sneak that fastball by guys rather than it becoming the pitch that he can just ride. So I think that's the biggest thing that's going to change for him is using the other pitch

and then sneaking the foresemer by people, rather than establishing the foreseamer and letting the off speed work off of it. Long term, obviously, and I agree with you this year. I think everyone in general, even before this update, I think people's expectations need to be lowered and manageable. Long term, how concerned are you? Because the fastball was always kind of the thing.

Yeah. Well, limited ceiling. That's my point. It's simple as that. So my question is, like, are you concerned this pitch will never come back? And if so, what does it change? I don't want to say that because it has, it's shown signs of it.

life. It shows signs of life where no pun intended. No pun intended at all. Where it's there. It's there. It's for glimpses. And he's hope that as he continues to recover and you know, the fatigue wears off and things like that, but he can get it back. So I don't want to write off

like, simply put, if the fastball doesn't come back, it doesn't limit it the ceiling. If the fastball comes back, it'll be fine. But if it doesn't, we'll say. So, but I do think that the biggest thing's going to have to change to years, all the secondary is going to have to be used more. and then the fastball is going to have to sneak by people.

But I don't want to say long-term, super-super-concerned. Like, I think he's going to be a really good pitcher. But just for this year, that would be my concern for Andrew Painter. Yeah. And look, I think Painter is in a tough spot in the sense that it's been like four years, five years of hype for the kid, you know. Yeah. And all this excitement.

He's been the best Phillies pitching prospect, all this stuff that I think that he's coming. And it is, you know, obviously. just a fact of the situation that is a team trying to win the World Series and all that, that he's coming into it. Now it's lucky that they have other good pitching so like that can kind of take a little of the pressure off, but I do think it's a tough spot for Painter. Well, and especially because the fan base is like, hold on, you've made this guy untouchable. Totally, absolutely.

What if we had trade him? Could it be a one of World Series? Like, of course. And then there's going to be the should have traded him instead of Mick Able. If Mick Able continues. Because Mick looks nasty. If McAble looks the part. So all of that is weighing on his shoulders.

I mean, all of that is weighing on his shoulders. So obviously, rooting for him. I can say that again. I don't want to feel as, like, down about it. Yeah, I don't want to. Like, I want to be super excited about a great pitching prospect, but like, he's not schemes.

He's not, I know he's billed, I know he's billed as one of those guys. Yeah, he's not. It's going to take a little bit. Not to be fair, no one is schemes. Yeah, it's going to take a little bit longer for him to, to figure it out. But I just got to be honest about what I'm seeing.

And that's my fear. So we'll say. One guy who's looking, a couple guys are looking great. I mean, I think Duron, Duron looks different from last year. And he was already really good last year. But that splitter is such a game changer for him because he can ride 100 up in the zone.

And then throw that splitter and it's a. And it's not a great fastball. Like, well, yeah, it's flat, right? And it does get hit and it gets fouled off a lot. thought. Way more. That was my big, he was so much fun to have here, but I was surprised at how often a hundred got popped out. Yeah. You know, not just hit, period, whether it's, you know, for outs or not, just how, how little strikeouts like he got? Yeah, I think he struck out, what, nine per nine last year? I think he's like a 26, 27% type guy with that type of, with that type of he, I mean, he should be in

the 30s for sure. But I think he really refined his arsenal this off season because the, the, the velocity's there, whatever, but it's another, it's another fastball that you got sneak by hitters. Having the splitter off of that. So funny to say like a 101, you got to stick it by. It's so crazy. These guys have gotten to your point before about how good these guys are. Exactly right, Jack. That is such, what a, what a crazy thing to say. Remember Joel Zamaia? I know. I know. Yeah. There's kids listening to this podcast. No. You don't understand Joel of mine. And you need to go look them up. But big deal. Everyone throws on. Yeah. You don't get it. I know. This is supposed to, this must be how Dr. J people feel.

When I say, yeah, you're right. I say like, what's the, it's an up and under. People get so annoying. See that every day in the NBA. You don't get it. Not before him. Not before Joel Zemiah. But that splitter. And then I think he's really worked in that knuckle curve. That knuckle curve looks like a much bigger weapon than it did.

So instead of that change up he threw last year that got, I thought, shelled and he tried to throw it more because the fastball is going to hit, the splitter is really like 12 miles an hour off of this fastball, which is huge. So fastball slitter, knuckle curve. good recipe for success. Jose Avarado looks phenomenal, which is massive. It's so big.

And at 24 he was trending down and you're like, and then when he came back for that 25 games, it was a disaster. And we came back. You have the inherent thing of like, we don't know what, have whatever, but how much if he was taking,

sorry, did they help him? Like, how much will that hurt? Like, you never know with these type of things. Yeah. And we all love Jose Avarado.

I love Jose Avarado. You do. Rooting for him even hard. I mean, the gulp story. I saw, yeah. I mean, just heartbreak. Oh, horrible.

So, like, I'm shrewing even more for Jose Alvarado. And he looks great. And that cutter is back, like, diving. He's back up to 100. You know, he looks like prime Alvarado, which is huge because I think Bacchus is going really good. But they desperately need him. I mean, I love Tanner Banks.

Like, Jose Alvarado is the only, like, elite left hand and reliever they have. Yeah. Yeah. So, Alvarado looks great. Backus looks great. Shruck out, you know, was it Bellinger and Giancarlo over the weekend, which was which is encouraging Keller after like two questionable outings and his last spring and his first WBC

the last outing of WBC was like there he is there's Brad Keller there's Rocket as we call them that's what we call him there's the next Clemens so funny there's the next Clemens um oh and just in in prime sick oh last thing so like the eighth inning of a 14 to three spring training game type stuff here well so I was at my uh was my buddy's restaurant opening in Philly on Friday.

Shout out. Yeah. Shout to Sineal. I love Sineal. So he's the place where you did the event at. Sineal's just crushing it. He's your best man. I know.

Sineal, he gave a great speech. He did get out a little mini hoop and stuff. It was really good. Yeah. Sineal's the man. Shout to Sineal. So they opened a place called Lucky Duck.

Okay. Which is like Penn's Landing. Awesome. So it's a cool spot. You should. I did. I was there on Friday. and I got the note, I got the email on my phone.

My guy Steve Botter as the minor league stats from the minor. Dude, you're getting you getting minor league stats emailed to you is the most Jack Fritz thing that has ever happened. The minor league, not even that, minor league results from four games at the at the Carpenter Cup complex. This is nonsense right now. You kidding me? sitting there and seeing the updates about how excited were you and you're like dude

Gabe Craig yeah perfect thing and and I'm just I'm letting him Craig's a good name for he should succeed it actually makes me mad how good the Phillies bullpen is currently because there's so many guys

like dude do you bring up yeah like Alex McFarland being in Reading is crushing you can talk about Alex Sifron forever he matters he needs a lot he had a perfect ending yesterday the um in a minor league game I

dude it matters man and and I just this is going to be the most high hopes moment of the podcast I can't wait this Ryan Cusick season you don't understand what this guy's about to do

for the piggies I love calling the pigies and by the way they should call their bullpen the pig pen they don't know how could they not I believe we're doing an Iron Biggs game this year. We are. We have to like make a push to like, because the Ironbeaks bullpen is disgusting. Yeah. So me. Oh, it's so strong. Me personally, I would put Ryan Cusick in the in the bullpen.

So I think you'd be the next Hoffman. I do. I believe he could be the next offman. Minus the world series. 95 to 99 already in and and and my pinfoil hat conspiracy theory about Ryan Cusick, which no other affiliate's podcast is breaking this down. not yet I think they didn't pitch him in spring training because they knew

he'd be too good and someone would claim him off waivers I really do this is such a great theory I love this theory someone because this guy's a first rounder

from Wake Forest a couple years ago has been on two teams since like it's really like falling off from that like he was a a Primo prospect like Primo Drag

Browman is serious and like his stuff at Wake Forest was nasty and like everyone knows his name Ryan Cousin's like maybe they

forgot. And like, I don't think they wanted to pitch him in spring training because they knew that he'd be subject to waivers. And now it could be something contract related. I have no idea. That was just my... I love this. I love this. I'm full. It's true. I support it. And, and, and, but they're stretching about to be a starter because they need

starters and Lehigh Valley, which is semi-disappointing. Yeah, you know, I don't care about winning Meyer League games, win Major League games. Well, they might need some stars this year. We'll see. But, uh, hope not. And I don't want to, we don't need to talk about the, the Chuck King performance yesterday. Because I was really bullish on Chuck King.

It didn't go well. He allowed 10 earned in an ending in two thirds. He should be a reliever. The stretching amount to be a starter. 10 runs. That's bad. He's a reliever. I don't know what they were doing.

But this is what they do is they make all the guys that I want to be relievers into starters. They did with Alex with Farland for three years. And they're back to being relievers. So regardless, that's what I got. I love it. This is great. This is good.

Good luck tomorrow night. Thank you. I'm excited for it to be over. I can't wait for it to be over too. It's going to be really great. It ends and then we get baseball. It's a beautiful thing. Yeah, I can finally start thinking about the Phillies again.

It was Elliot. I was thinking about Elliot. Okay. You were wondering why. He's still here? Yeah, he's just walking out. He just gave away or something. Good to see.

Good times. All right. All right. All right. Okay. Hey, next week. Opening freaking day, dude. Which is crazy.

Let's go. Well, obviously, I'm possibly not up to it. I'm assuming you'll be there. You guys are in the show up in there that day. Oh, yeah. So we'll all be down there. well bark we'll set up.

It feels like a nice, if I had a guess, 55 and over that. I totally agree. 55 and over now. It feels like it's always the same. It's unbelievable. At least it's here.

All right. So we'll be back next week. Lots of preview. And we've made it. Thank God. Yeah. Bring us to Phillies. Until that,

he's rid themselves.