Like any team, the Phillies have had their share of surprises and disappointments through the first three months of the season. Here's a quick look at some of the players that fit into each category:
Surprises - Offensively, Shane Victorino would probably be the biggest surprise, though the guy was an All-Star just two years ago. He has a line of .299/.364/.513 - all figures significantly higher than his 2010 stats. ... Pitching-wise, would you consider Cole Hamels a surprise? Perhaps, but many Phillies fans saw a career year coming for the 27-year-old lefty. The bigger surprise may be Kyle Kendrick, who has a 3.12 ERA and has pitched well as both a starter and a reliever. ... With all due respect to Vic and KK, though, the Phils' biggest surprises are definitely in the bullpen. Ryan Madson has had good seasons in the past, but never has he excelled in the closer's role as he has this year. ... Antonio Bastardo and Michael Stutes are both major surprises - arguably the two biggest surprises on the entire team. Combined, they have allowed eight runs and 23 hits in 48.2 innings.
Disappointments - Many Phillies fans probably figured Raul Ibanez would be right about where he is at this point (.243/.292/.402). Ben Francisco, though, was predicted by some on this site to emerge as a force (or at least a reliable starter) this season. However, Francisco has scuffled to the tune of a .218/.341/.361 line with six homers and 25 RBIs in 174 at-bats. ... And it's not as if he was expected to be Ted Williams, but Michael Martinez (.194/.215/.242) has definitely been a disappointment to this stage. ... From a pitching standpoint, Joe Blanton seems to get off to a cruddy start each season, but between his 5.50 ERA and his elbow injury, all that "Five Aces" talk has been put on the back burner. ... As far as Cliff Lee, you can't call him a disappointment now, can you? Maybe two or three weeks ago, but now the guy has a 3.12 ERA with more than a strikeout an inning... And sorry, J.C. Romero, but anytime you're DFA'd before the first day of summer, you're a disappointment.
Tonight's lineup:
J Roll SS, Victorino CF, Utley 2B, Howie 1B, Polly 3B, Raul LF, Brown RF, Ruiz C, Halladay P
Posted by: Anon II | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 04:51 PM
JW, I wouldn't label Vic's performance so far a huge surprise. IMO he had an off year in 2010.
In 2008/2009 he averaged this:
.292/.355/.446 in 1,321 PA.
So, his .299/.364/.513 really isn't that much of an outlier except for the SLG.
If 2 of his HR and 2 of his 3B had only been doubles, then his SLG would only be about .487, still higher than his '08/09 average, but not that much of an outlier.
I take nothing away from him.
He's having a great year and deserves the kudos he's getting.
Posted by: awh | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 05:01 PM
I hope the entire team partook in a Howard homecooked feast and are ready to bang the ball tonight.
Posted by: Meyer | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 05:02 PM
From last thread:
I think in most normal circumstances, one utility infielder is enough. On this team, two reserve infielders are required because Utley should play no more than 4 games in a row, Polanco is brittle and Rollins is beat up. We used Valdez and Martinez in the same game in Seattle when everyone was healthy. I am sure it won't be the last time it will happen. Bocock is strictly a SS (according to baseball-reference) in the minors. I am not sure Orr is capable defensively other than at 2B.
Regardless, the endless Martinez debates sure as hell beat the days of Steve Jeltz or Juan Bell as starters.
Posted by: whitey | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 05:03 PM
How could one call Antonio Bastardo one of the biggest surprises on the team in 2011?
Wasn't he supposed to be the 'next' Johan Santana?
Posted by: awh | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 05:05 PM
AWH: In fairness to JW, I wrote the entry, not him, so you can take aim at me. But honestly I wouldn't call Victorino a surprise at all. I just wanted to get someone from the offense into the discussion. Your point is well taken.
Posted by: Drew | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 05:09 PM
"Ben Francisco, though, was predicted by some on this site to emerge as a force (or at least a reliable starter) this season."
Based on his history when he got AB in Cleveland, I was one of those who thought he could be a "reliable starter" and acquit himself well.
IMO he's the biggest disappointment on the team this season - by far.
.218/.341/.361 is far away from the .263/.331/.442 he averaged between '08-'10.
Posted by: awh | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 05:11 PM
Romero? Yes, a disappoiintment, but given his '09-'10 seasons, did people really expect much better?
Posted by: awh | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 05:12 PM
" I am not sure Orr is capable defensively other than at 2B."
Every position Pete Orr plays -- 2nd, SS, 3rd, CF -- he plays better than Mini-Mart. He's also faster, a much better base runner, and capable of getting a hit now and then.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 05:13 PM
Drew, sorry, didn't read down to the byline.
My apologies.
Posted by: awh | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 05:31 PM
Raul's grampa, I realized what you meant in the prior thread 2 hrs after the fact. I'm extra dumb today. But oddly enough the NPB has been pitching dominated this year. That isn't to say that someone hitting over there would do anything here.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 05:42 PM
Looks like Worley is starting on Friday. I guess that means KK is back in the pen as the long man.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 05:44 PM
Yep, Worley is officially starting on Friday and KK is available out of the bullpen tonight.
Posted by: CJ | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 05:53 PM
TTI: Going back to the last thread, I still am really confused by your post. I don't even remember debating the Bedard trade with you a couple of weeks ago. Are you sure? Can you link me to a thread? I'd like to go back and read what I said, because I honestly don't know what you are talking about. I'm not trying to be a dick here. I just don't remember this.
I certainly remember calling it a stupid move at the time. Again, my logic was that at the time, the M's thought they were close to contention because they finished the season with a good record the year before. But that 88-75 record was supported by a -27 run differential. It was a complete and utter fluke. They weren't good enough to compete the next year, even with Bedard. But they traded Jones and Tillman and Sherrill for him anyway, and it didn't work out. It was the wrong move, and many people, including myself, said so at the time.
If that doesn't make sense and you think I'm making things up, I'm sorry.
Posted by: Jack | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 06:07 PM
bay_area_phan, If that is the case, then consider me stumped.
Posted by: whitey | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 06:15 PM
Orr's speed made him less gritty.
Posted by: conshy matt | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 06:21 PM
Is Martinez really the disappointment here? Was anyone on BL confident that he was going to be a rock star? I don't remember that. I think the consensus was that he sucked. So, I think the biggest disappointment this year has been the FO and their stubbornness to 1) keep Martinez on the roster and 2) not DL players who are hurt (see Victorino and Gload).
Posted by: SLO Phan | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 06:21 PM
Yeah, Martinez isn't the disappointment. The disappointment is the Front Office inexplicably keeping him on the roster.
Posted by: Jack | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 06:26 PM
The biggest surprise to me has been how well the bullpen has pitched (in general), & how great Madson has been as the Closer (specifically).
The biggest disappointment to me has been how the FO has bungled roster management at every turn.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 06:50 PM
Yo, new thread.
Posted by: CJ | Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 06:51 PM
Like any team, the Phillies have had their share of surprises and disappointments through the first three months of the season. Here's a quick look at some of the players that fit into each category: Surprises - Offensively, Shane Victorino would probably be the biggest surprise, though the guy was an All-Star just two years ago. He has a line of .299/.364/.513 - all figures significantly higher than his 2010 stats. ... Pitching-wise, would you consider Cole Hamels a surprise?...
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