Beer nuts: Phillies open Grapefruit League play

An assortment of discussion points ripped from today's headlines.

-- Preseason baseball has arrived! Right-hander Ryan Franklin will get the start this afternoon as the Phillies tussle with the Yankees in their Grapefruit League opener. Franklin is expected to make about 45 pitches then hand the ball over to Ryan Madson.

It’s a good opportunity for the Phils to observe the two pitchers penciled into the fourth and fifth starter spots, with Gavin Floyd, Ricardo Rodriguez and Robinson Tejeda also considered in the mix with outside chances.

Floyd, Julio Santana and Geoff Geary are also scheduled to pitch this afternoon.

Here is today’s lineup according to Phillies.com:
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Shane Victorino, RF
3. Pat Burrell, DH
4. Chase Utley, 2B
5. Aaron Rowand, CF
6. Abraham Nunez, 3B
7. Alex Gonzalez, 1B
8. Mike Lieberthal, C
9. Josh Kroeger, LF

For those following the action, use the comments thread below to post your observations for those of us stuck at our desks in the icy northeast.

-- I’ve picked up a few rumblings here and there that relievers Arthur Rhodes and Julio Santana do not look sharp. Rhodes was rocked in an intersquad game, and Santana showed up out of shape. It would not surprise me if Santana does not make the club, even though he signed as a free agent this offseason. He represents the type of pitcher the Phillies have too many of in the bullpen: older pitchers with good stuff that still need to be developed to a certain extent and have control problems. Rhodes also scares me.

-- Speaking this morning on 610-WIP radio, analyst John Marzano said Franklin looked sharp in workouts, with solid sinking stuff in the 92-93 mph range.

-- One caller to Howard Eskin’s afternoon show yesterday suggested the Phillies convert Shane Victorino to third base. My bigger focus would be making sure Victorino can hit major-league pitching well enough to hold down a fourth outfielder spot, a significant leap for the 24-year-old switch-hitter. But an interesting idea nonetheless. They could use more speed in the everyday lineup.

-- The morning show also interviewed Madson and pitcher Brett Myers, who offered their take on the World Baseball Classic. Like many, they are not the biggest fans of the poorly-timed WBC, believing it’s more important at this stage to prepare for the regular season.

From a baseball perspective, pitching is the biggest concern for teams as they will entrust some of their best arms with foreign coaches. From the Phillies, veteran Rheal Cormier, Scott Mathieson and Aaron Myette will pitch for Canada, while Myers remains a reserve for the American team.

Consider the Phillies one of the fortunate teams.

-- Speaking of the WBC, the Daily News is reporting that Robinson Tejeda and Eude Brito have turned down invitations to pitch for the Dominican Republic, but will remain listed as reserves.

The second-year pitchers decided it would be better to stay in camp and try to earn spots with the Phillies. "I want to represent my country," Tejeda told the Daily News. "But we have a new general manager, and he hasn't seen us pitch before. We want to show him that we can pitch."

Tejeda appears to have a legitimate chance of earning a spot either in the rotation or bullpen, but Brito is a different story. The left-hander is still considered a green 27 and does not appear to have much of an opening anywhere on the 25-man roster.

Playing in the WBC with a chance to shine on a bigger stage could have been a nice opportunity for him. If I were calling the shots, I would not have discouraged his participation in a situation that clearly means more to the Latin American and Asian countries than many of us here in the United States can fathom.

The WBC
Of course, the biggest problem with the WBC is that it's happening way too close to the regular season. Players have been in camp for about two weeks, have already settled into Spring Training mode and understand what they need to do to earn spots. They're comfortable. They're easing in for the long marathon season. The WBC is ripping them away from that situation, and inserting them into a new, exhausting schedule. It takes me weeks to get over just a one week's worth of vacation. Imagine a near three-week journey around the world.

For the participants with the unfortunate task of being on one of the good teams with a chance to go far in the tournament, this will be the longest season of their lives. The perfect time for the WBC would be early-to-mid January, when they hold the Caribbean series.

Or never.

Comments

[IUP Phillies Fan]

the WBC has got to be one of bud selig's stupidest ideas ever. it's perhaps the only thing i'll ever agree with steinbrenner on.

yay for the opening of spring training. can't wait to watch some games when i get back in the 215

[Tom G]

I remain optimistic about the WBC. Probably the better time to play it would be November, but, name one endeavor in the history of the world that came off perfect the very first time it was tried?

[J. Weitzel]

November is too close to the end of the season when players are dying to spend time with their families, and also when fans need a break from baseball. That's football time.

It's going to be an outstanding showcase of talent, and I'm willing to give it a shot, but my interest would have been higher if it wasn't this close to April, and also on the heals of another grand international competition in the Winter Olympics.

Politics aside, and speaking just as a fan, I'd rather see a split-squad game with the Blue Jays at Dunedin, Fla. than the United States vs. Canada at this point in the year.

[pawnking]

As far as international competition goes, keep it at the amateur level, I say. The baseball stars get plenty of chances to shine, and don't need to risk injury by throwing too hard too early in the year. Let talented minor leaguers or collegians play. Those are the kids who might catch fire at the right time and become household names, even though they might never even make a major league squad.

The worst thing to ever happen to amateur sports was the "dream team" in '92 when the NBA Pros went over so American Basketball could feel good about itself again. The tragic result was that commissioners discovered that there was money to be made if you send the pros over instead of the armatures. So now we see the same thing in basketball, hockey, tennis, now baseball.

It has totally ruined the Olympics. No one will watch the WBC because everyone who cares about baseball already watches a far superior product in MLB.

If you are interested in developing international interest, pay the ML stars to barnstorm in foreign countries the way they used to in rural America, playing the local all star teams. Let the stars earn money, and let them promote the game and sell a bunch of T-Shirts along the way. Let the players involved get waivers saying if they are injured during this sort of thing it won't void their contracts, in the interest of promoting baseball.

But this "serious" competition when everyone really only cares about spring training is a total farce.

[gr]

phils go 1-2-3 in the top of the 1st.

[J. Weitzel]

That's it. Season's over. Stick a fork in them. Bring on '07.

[Tom Goodman]

I like this kid Tejeda a lot and think he and Brito were well advised to forego the WBC and concentrate on what really matters. Tejeda showed a lot of moxie last season, stepping into a tough situation and performing fairly well. True, he had some rough moments toward the end of his stint, but by then shoulder problems were probably already affecting him. He has to improve his control, but if he does, he will be a force. He throws hard, is unafraid and just seems to have his head on straight. In this last regard, he managed to keep the ball in a tough ballpark, so he didn't have to have that head on a swivel too often!!

[pawnking]

Larry F. Bowa just had a heart attack at third as Burrell smoked one over the left field fence.

[J. Weitzel]

Burrell taken out of game after running gingerly. His day ends with a HR and double.

Also, Ruiz got the start instead of Lieberthal and doubled, scoring on the HR by Burrell.

2-2 ballgame.

[pawnking]

What did you think of Madson's work? What can you tell from two innings, but man he sure sounded like he's ready to be a starter out there.

[J. Weitzel]

I didn't see it. I checked in with the running thread on PhilliesPhans.com for the last update, but they said he looked very good.

[fp]

Hey tom, have you checked out the PECOTA stats for Tejeda??? They don't look too good, upwards of a 5 ERA in 80 IP.

I wonder if last year was somewhat of an abberation, because in Reading when I saw him he gave up a TON of home runs.

[pawnking]

BP hates pitchers like Tejeda. He walks too many people, doesn't strike out enough for the amout of walks he gives up, and gives up the long ball. Last year, his BABIP was unusually low, which was part of the reason he had a good year. But BABIP is one of the hardest things for a pitcher to replicate, while Ks, BB, and HRs are very predictible from year to year. Thus, regression on BABIP given his walk and HR rate = a tough year ahead predicted for Rob.

[Tom Goodman]

His ERA went up signficantly in the last few outings. Again, hard to say if injuries played a part. And his ERA wasn't all that awful compared to many of the veterans in the league. As for the home runs, I'll take the major league totals over the minor league ones any day. In the end, he is a gamble, but one well worth taking at this stage of the season and his career. IF he straightens himself (and his fastball) out, the Phils have a keeper.

[J. Weitzel]

Chris Coste homers. He is opening eyes so far, but is trying to beat out a ton of guys for bench spots.

[gr]

i think he also was hitting against a guy who pitched in A last year. Madson and Burrell were def the stars of the game. Floyd made sure he hit a guy and Fasano is NOT a great defensive catcher. He looks liek he should be, but he's not. Rollins looked like he forgot everything he never really learned about the strike zone. I would not be surprised to see him slump hard in April.

[gr]

also, matt kata had probably the best at-bat of the day for someone who made an out.

[J. Weitzel]

6-3 Phillies win!

Recap:
-- 10 hits by Phillies, 11 by Yankees
-- Franklin allowed 2 ER in 2 IP
-- Madson retired all 6 batters he faced
-- Floyd was a little shaky, but only gave up 1 ER in 2 IP
-- Burrell was 2-3 with a HR and 2B before hobbling out of game (foot)
-- Coste had a HR
-- Garrett had the GW hit, a two RBI double in the 7th
-- Geary and Santana pitched well in relief

[gr]

santana, not sanches, right?

[matt]

Great. Arthur Rhodes looks less than sharp. Bet he is mostly ineffective this year due to injuries/age. Along with Gordon and his +150k miles Phils bullpen is going to be awful this year.

[J. Weitzel]

As it turns out, that is correct, gr. The box score at Yes Network says Sanches, but Santana is listed on the box at Phillies.com. I'd send Yes a correction, but you know. It's already somewhat pathetic we're discussing this.

Here is the official box:

Philadelphia AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG
Rollins, SS 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .000
Sandoval, SS 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000
Victorino, RF 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000
Roberson, C, RF 2 1 1 1 0 1 0 .500
Burrell, DH 3 1 2 2 0 0 0 .667
1-Garrett, PR-DH 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 1.000
Utley, 2B 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000
Thurston, 2B 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .000
Rowand, CF 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .333
Kata, CF 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Nunez, 3B 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .333
Scales, 3B 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Gonzalez, A, 1B 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .000
Coste, C, 1B 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 .500
Kroeger, LF 3 1 1 0 0 0 2 .333
Bourn, LF 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Ruiz, C 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 .500
Fasano, C 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 .500
Totals 37 6 10 6 1 4 10

1-Ran for Burrell in the 6th.

BATTING
2B: Ruiz (1, Henn), Burrell (1, Small), Garrett (1, Myers).
HR: Burrell (1, 3rd inning off Henn, 1 on, 2 out), Coste, C (1, 8th inning off Cox, 0 on, 2 out).
TB: Roberson, C; Burrell 6; Garrett 2; Rowand; Nunez; Coste, C 4; Kroeger; Ruiz 2; Fasano.
RBI: Burrell 2 (2), Roberson, C (1), Garrett 2 (2), Coste, C (1).
2-out RBI: Burrell 2; Roberson, C; Garrett 2; Coste, C.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Kroeger 2; Nunez; Thurston.
Team LOB: 5.

FIELDING
E: Sandoval (1, missed catch).
DP: 2 (Thurston-Coste, C, Coste, C-Sandoval-Coste, C).

Philadelphia IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Franklin 2.0 5 2 2 0 1 0 9.00
Madson 2.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00
Floyd (W, 1-0) 2.0 3 1 1 1 1 1 4.50
Santana (H, 1) 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
Geary (S, 1) 2.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0.00

[Billy Mac]

I was at the game. Overall a well played game for the first exhibition game of the season.
Some random thoughts.
Madsen looked sharp and Franklin was hit hard. Santana is really fat - Charlie Manuel fat. I couldn't believe how out of shape he is. Jason, send me your email address if you want in game photos this week for your site. I'm here through 3/8.

[That Dude]

I'm one of the dudes who is actualy interested in the WBC, but then again I'm a gambler and another bracket in March wont bother me one bit:)

[RickSchuBlues]

I love baseball anything, but the World Baseball Classic is a joke to me. I'm sick of these ridiculous contrivances foisted upon us: the home-field advantage "This Time It Counts" crap with the All-Star Game, an extra postseason series which makes October feel entirely too long, now this. How is something a "classic" before it's even played? Just like objects that are marketed as "collectible" while they sit brand-new on the Target shelves. We have six months of the regular season, a month of spring training, and three postseason series. That's really enough. I live two hours from Phoenix and was even offered free tickets to see games there, but I have zero interest in this non-event.

[Tom Goodman]

Now that El Enigma has departed, look for Gavin Floyd (if he makes the club, a big IF) to take over the dubious distinction of the guy most likely to lead the club in hitting opposing batters. He nailed quite a few in his brief stints last year and is off on the right (or is it left) foot after one spring training game.

[fp]

I'm going to enjoy the WBC, personally. I know that many see it as a 'joke', but I don't. It's still going ot have a lot of talented guys on almost all the teams.

[J. Weitzel]

Billy Mac:
I sent an e-mail to you last night, but if you didn't get it, I'm at jweitzel@readingeagle.com.