Young guns armed for Phillies, Braves

Gavin Floyd looks to rebound when the Phillies go for their first series win against Kyle Davies and Atlanta. Game time is 7:35 EST.

Floyd (0-1, 10.12 ERA) was boxed around in his first start against the Dodgers and is looking to regain his excellent spring form.

He’ll face 22-year-old right-hander Kyle Davies (0-0, 5.40 ERA), a former fourth-round draft pick that asserted himself as one of the top arms in the Braves system. He pitched five innings against the Giants in his first start, but the bullpen failed to hold the lead.

The Phillies will likely be patient with Floyd should he struggle again, given the success Ryan Franklin has had in the bullpen, but no one is under the microscope more than this young man. Another setback in confidence would be devastating, not just to the starting rotation, but to his chances of ever becoming a pitcher they can count on. Some would say it’s still early in his development, but I am not one of them. He got his first taste of big-league hitters two seasons ago. There’s nothing left for him at Triple-A. The best resources he has are with him on the Phillies.

Backup plan
Perhaps I’m reading too far into it, but the fact that Pat Gillick watched Cole Hamels’ last start in Clearwater is certainly intriguing. The last report I read had him pegged as a July arrival, and I’d assume that’s if nothing went wrong in the starting rotation. Randy Wolf is also expected back around that time.

Reading between the lines, it shows me they’re extremely excited to throw this pitcher into the fray, regardless of the time he’s lost developing in the minors.

Catcher search
Caught a rumor from a Pittsburgh paper that the Phillies are trolling for a catcher, someone that could potentially replace Mike Lieberthal or bridge the gap until Jason Jaramillo is ready.

Ronny Paulino of the Pirates was the name mentioned in the article. Paulino played two games for Pirates in September after solid half-season with Indianapolis (.315, 13 home runs, 42 RBIs). Baseball America rated the Dominican-born backstop as the organization’s best defensive catcher before the 2005 and ’06 seasons. He’s blocked in Pittsburgh by Ryan Doumit and Humberto Cota, catchers they appear to value equally.

Everyone knows I’m a big Carlos Ruiz fan and liked what he has done the last two seasons in the minors, but I’m catching a vibe he’s not in the Phillies plans, even as a backup.

It’s interesting to note the Phillies have not been afraid to pull Lieberthal in the middle of games, doing it twice last week. I have to question Lieberthal’s health, and wonder if this recent search is for someone that can step in immediately should Lieby go down.

It’s not a bad idea. Sal Fasano is not a full-time catcher. For all his appeal, his value so far has been to help usher pitchers like Gavin Floyd into the big leagues.

Thome stays hot
Jim Thome belted his sixth home run and also doubled this afternoon, helping the White Sox to a 13-9 win against Detroit. There are only two players hotter or as hot as Thome, and they're both in the smoking-hot AL Central. Chris Shelton of Detroit hit his seventh home run in today's game. The other is Travis Hafner, who has six dongs for the division-leading Indians.

Hats off to Big Jim. He's a man on a mission, and is proving he has plenty of baseball left in the tank.

Comments

[Deanna]

Hoooooooooly cow. 5 batters, 5 hits, 5 runs, homers by J-Roll, Bobby, and Utley. Kyle Davies is really not having his best day here.

[J. Weitzel]

Through three, 5-2 Phillies. Gavin Floyd and Sal Fasano are like some comedy act. Neither demonstrates what you would call textbook form, but it's entertaining to watch ... when the good guys are winning.

[RickSchuBlues]

I believe I recently mentioned something about Ryan Franklin and homeruns...oy.

And there's Cormier warming up, again. Double oy.

[Trask]

Saw the home opener in Reading tonight. Gio Gonzales looked absolutely amazing. He threw sevening innings of 5 hit, no run ball. Nobody hit him hard. Constantly at 91-92mph. Very impressive.

The rest of the lineup ---- not so much. They had exactly one hit that left the infield. Jaramillo hit the ball hard. But he seems a bit shaky behind the plate. Maybe an off night.

[That Dude]

Flash really does still have a live arm doesn't he???

Also, did you notice how Fasano is part Drill Sargent/part Wet nurse? Thats what a catcher is.

[RickSchuBlues]

I agree, Fasano was probably responsible to some degree for Floyd getting through six innings the way he did. A shame his bat is so damn weak. Floyd wasn't awful - his wildness, in fact, can be effective when he reins it in enough. The hitters looked off-balance. And that's some curve he throws up there.

Gordon (speaking of amazing curves) looked strong, the Phillies win two straight at Atlanta. A little bit of offense emerges. It's a start.

[Adam]

Based on how he did last year, he's no worse than Pratt, if not slightly better. Plus, so much personality. Though I have to admit one of my most memorable Phillies moments is Pratt winning the gamewinning HR in the 13th against the Red Sox, then almost falling flat on his face rounding the basepaths.

I'm not sure if anyone else watched the ESPN broadcast, but the announcers were TERRIBLE. Makes me can't wait till I get home from college and can have Harry K. and crew back (yes, even Wheeler). These guys were ripping Floyd all night, concluding that he had a quality start, but "the performance didn't reflect the good numbers." And yet they barely set a bad word about Francouer, who was slumping horrifically coming into the night.

Besides the Franklin debacle, a very encouraging game, especially from Floyd. If Floyd can give us a quality starts (6 IP 3 ER or better) with some consistency, we'll be in good shape.

[RickSchuBlues]

I watched the game on ESPN. I can't agree that Gary Thorne is horrible, I like him about as much as any national broadcaster - but indeed Orel Hershiser is a wretched, know-it-all bore. I can just imagine him and Showalter working together last year, that must have been a real popular combination with players.

Still, it was still a hell of a lot better than having to watch the game on TBS.

[Billy Mac]

In spring training, I also noticed Jaramillo was shaky behind the plate. I recall one game he had 3 passed balls in one inning. I chalked it up to nerves and not being familiar with Gordon's curve. Supposedly, he is a fine defensive catcher.

[SamDracula]

Gordon's stuff is electric and he's bringing it 94-95 when he needs it. Pray that he stays healthy. If he does, we won't miss Wagner for a second IMO. He's got more of an arsenal than Wagner does also.

I like Thorne also but can't stand Hershiser. I watched on CSN but had to turn the sound down because Wheeler was making me nauseous.

As for Wolf, I really doubt he'd be back in the rotation this year. Coming off TJ surgery, I'd think it would be wise to pitch him out of the bullpen fro the duration of the season. Whether they re-sign him remains to be seen.

[Adam]

I'd doubt we'd resign him. We have Lieber, Myers, Floyd, and Madson for next year (assuming they're not injured, ineffective, or traded), plus Gillick will remain on the lookout for top-tier starters, and we'll have Hamels making a push for the rotation (if healthy) and Gio/Haigwood/etc. on the way.

[M.D.]

Jason,

I saw both Paulino and Carlos Ruiz play in the Eastern League in 2004. Paulino came in as the bigger name, but by the end of that season I thought Ruiz was the better overall player, defensively and offensively. I'd sooner give him a shot than trade for Paulino.

[Carson Book]

If Carlos Ruiz is good enough to start for his country, Panama, then he should be given a chance with the Phillies next season.

[RickSchuBlues]

...and who else was starting for Panama?