A throwing error by Freddy Galvis and a miscue by John Mayberry in right field cost the Phillies three unearned runs through four innings Wednesday in Fort Myers.
The Phillies have committed eight errors so far this spring to lead all NL teams. Only the Blue Jays have committed more, but they've played one more game.
Opposing baserunners are also 7-for-7 stealing off Phillies catchers, making them the most run-on team so far. Erik Kratz has allowed five of those SBs.
Errors don't tell the whole story of a defense, but it's worth mentioning that these miscues don't even take into account Michael Young's shaky play at the hot corner.
Only two teams have allowed more unearned runs than the Phillies' five this spring. It's a bit disturbing, given the defensive concerns most already had for this team and Charlie Manuel's insistence that the Phillies must improve their D to compete this season.
Last year the Phils gave up 62 unearned runs, which was about middle of the pack. It was, though, more than double the number of unearned runs they allowed in 2011, when they had a major-league low 28.
Going around the diamond, the Phillies don't have to worry much about their defense at second base, shortstop or centerfield, though Ben Revere does have a weak arm. There are well-documented defensive issues in the infield and outfield corners, with third base being the biggest worry.
But catcher is also an area to watch in April. Kratz threw out 15 of 33 would-be base-stealers last season, but he also committed three passed balls, just two fewer than Carlos Ruiz in 513 fewer innings behind the plate.
Another XBH for Brown
In three plate appearances out of the three-hole through five innings against the Twins, Brown was 1-for-2 with an RBI double, a walk and three runs.
He barely missed his second homer to dead center in as many days when he doubled in Revere against Jared Burton in the sixth inning.
Through five spring games, Brown is fourth in the majors in slugging percentage, with 11 total bases in nine at-bats. Five of his six hits since last Friday have been doubles or homers.
Well... small observation, but I think mid-game new threads are counter-productive. Just hoping that doesn't run into the regular season.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:21 PM
Man, I love the names of some of these Twins players. "Brian Dinkelman replaces right fielder Chris Parmelee."
Posted by: Phillibuster | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:23 PM
If Brown breaks Maris's single season homerun record, it won't matter how many errors this team has.
Posted by: jbird | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:24 PM
no less than 1 thread header per DOM xbh sounds fair to me.
Posted by: lorecore | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:25 PM
ST stats don't mean anything. Unless, of course, they are negative ones.
Posted by: Mike G | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:34 PM
KAS -- It won't. It's the spring, when in-game observations are more important than the final score or result. Obviously won't be the case during the season.
Posted by: Corey Seidman | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:35 PM
Mike G -- While everyone here will agree, the only time Brown had a productive, full camp, he also had his best year as a pro.
He hasn't started a season off without injury or a complete change to his swing since 2010.
Posted by: Corey Seidman | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:36 PM
We need at least a couple of pure game chats during ST. Beerleaguers need to hone their skills for the regular season also. lol
Posted by: limoguy | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:37 PM
Corey, does a new bat grip for Dom count as a complete change in his swing? BL gloom & doomers will start coming out in droves.
Posted by: Lake Fred | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:39 PM
DeFratus has a golden opportunity to earn a bullpen spot out of spring training. He is certainly not making the most of that opportunity so far.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:39 PM
I did find the new thread mid-game a bit disruptive, but I'm where I have zero access to the game so today is just like any other winter's day, therefore the new thread is not a big deal. Besides, the thread content was good reading material for me.
Posted by: Lake Fred | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:41 PM
Wow, a really disappointing outing for De Fratus... and it's not exactly against the cream of the Twins crop (which isn't exactly creamy anyway). Five hitters reached base before the final out was hit all the way to the wall.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:44 PM
Lake Fred: You can be like me and watch the Gameday update with 1, 3, or 4-pitch PAs every time.
It's ever so much fun.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:45 PM
Corey, I was talking in general terms not about Dom specifically. My remark was meant to be sarcastic.
Posted by: Mike G | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:45 PM
Dom reached base in every plate appearance today with two walks, a double and an error (originally scored a hit).
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:46 PM
Corey, you also best be prepared with a cache of unique Game Thread header photos. After all, that's what makes Beerleaguer Beerleaguer (well, than and endless strawmen arguments, insults, and Kyle Kendrick K/9 banter...).
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:48 PM
Re: Game Thread advice- It's also important to make sure that the game thread graphic does not jinx the team.
Posted by: jbird | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:54 PM
BJ Rosenberg doing his best De Fratus impersonation. First two Twins reach base on a walk and then a double.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:55 PM
philibuster: i would ditch the italics, you are begging to leave one open and screw up the whole thread.
Posted by: lorecore | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 04:05 PM
Lore: I'm pretty careful about that sort of thing, since I only post with a full keyboard rather than on a phone or tablet.
Also, it's easy to fix. Unless it's the last word of the post, I would know instantly that I was short a close tag, and could close it in an immediate follow-up post.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 04:09 PM
FWIW, I can fix an open italics post anyway so its not a major deal if someone does it (as annoying as it is). The fix is pretty simple too...FWIW
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 04:10 PM
Only one answer to the bad defense guys: me! Unfortunately, I can only play Gold Glove at one position at a time, you know?
Posted by: Mini Mart | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 04:27 PM
Michael Martinez, you know you can do better than that. I fully expect you to play all 3 positions up the middle at the same time, because your legs are so explosive.
But only when you're not pitching.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 04:29 PM
For those wondering why Ruf wasn't playing today, Gelb tweets this:
Charlie Manuel said Darin Ruf had some arm soreness as a result of the position switch. Ruf said he expects to play tomorrow. He is 0 for 9.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 04:37 PM
He did play today. He made 2 outs in 2 ABs.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 04:41 PM
Whoops! Make that 1 out in 1 AB.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 04:42 PM
You know who has to feeling a bit relieved? Stutes. Another day, another game where guys competing for the last spot or two in the pen get smoked.
I was surprised to see that Valle was back in the lineup today after that fractured finger he suffered recently. He's still on the 40-man roster and neither Quintero or Lerud are. Wonder if the Phils will give him a shot to win the backup job until Chooch comes back.
Maybe a bit of a youth movement including taking Galvis over Betancourt (who committed his first of what I am sure will be many errors this year ).
Posted by: MG | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 04:50 PM
If Babe Ruf doesn't start hitting soon he's going to make Charlie's final outfield decisions real easy.
Posted by: Dragon | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 05:00 PM
Phillibuster: Well, he didn't play the field. And the initial comment on this point seemed to suggest Charlie wasn't playing Ruf because he had given up on him. Just wanted to add information that explained why Ruf didn't start today.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 05:05 PM
"If Mini Mart breaks the Mendoza Line, it won't matter how many errors this team has."
Fixt, dudes!
Posted by: Mini Mart | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 05:05 PM
MG: To be fair, Galvis didn't want Betancourt to feel bad, so he committed one too.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 05:05 PM
MG: Would there be enough to be gained by having Valle as the backup catcher for a month? How much action would he see?
I think he's getting spring training action as a showcase. He's among the top trade bait the Phils have left.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 05:07 PM
This tweet from Heyman frightens me a bit:
word is kip wells looked good throwing for #phillies people tuesday. had good breaking ball & changeup.
****
What would we possibly we looking at him for? After not pitching in the majors since 2009, Wells managed a 1.634 WHIP and walked more hitters than he struck out in 7 starts for Padres last year.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 05:09 PM
Dragon - it's 5 games. If D. Young is going to start the season on the DL, the other OF I can see possibly making the roster is Inciarte but his bat plays poorly if the Phils needs a power RH bat off the bench.
Posted by: MG | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 05:09 PM
MG: Right. If D. Young is DLed, as expected, the 5 OFs will be Revere, Brown, Mayberry, Ruf and Nix. I don't really see the Rule 5 guy making the roster unless one of those 5 guys gets hurt or Ruf is a complete mess at the plate and in the field.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 05:11 PM
Dinkleman left American Idol for a chance to play for the Twins. That's an upgrade IMO.
Posted by: Bedrosian's Beard | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 05:18 PM
Lake Fred (from the last thread): thanks for the kind words. you made my day, too! Covington's best year was 1958 as a Mil. Brave. Phils got him in 1961 after he played part of that year for the Braves, White Sox and Athletics, still getting 165 ABs here. '63 year was his Phillie best, BA avg .303 w/ 17 HRs. Dom should like this quote:
"What someone else says about me being a bad outfielder doesn't bother me. I've heard it all before. They don't pay outfielders for what they do with the glove." - Wes Covington in Crossing The Line: Black Major Leaguers, 1947-1959
Posted by: bullit | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 05:19 PM
Kip Wells this year's Scott Elarton? Suddenly Rodrigo Lopez has some upside.
Posted by: MG | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 05:22 PM
Wow! Bullit that is a great (most likely very obscure) quote from Wes Covington! It is also very true. What part of Ryan Howard's Big Piece salary is for his defense.....zero!
Posted by: Lake Fred | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 05:34 PM
KAS: Yeah, I gotcha. I figure Ruf has shown he's pretty hapless in the field, however. If he only had Burrel's skill-set in the outfield he'd be a no-brainer, but he doesn't seem to have that yet...
As for the bat side, we'll have to see. I've only been able to watch a few of his ABs, and they haven't looked good, but it's early in ST yet.
re: Kip Wells, I would figure the team is just doing due diligence on a guy who doesn't even have a MiLB deal yet. Maybe doing him a favor by making a little noise about him to see if he can catch on somewhere else.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 05:46 PM
Lake Fred: this article mentions his stance:
http://www.talkingchop.com/2012/4/15/2925040/collecting-wes-covington
another good career review:
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/cooperstown-confidential-remembering-wes-covington/
Posted by: bullit | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 05:59 PM
here's a good pic of wes in his stance:
http://hypeskin.com/shop/ProdImages/s75660053.JPG
Posted by: bullit | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 06:15 PM
bullit, thanks for the links. That'll be one of my nothing better to do internet searches, to find a good photo of wes Covington's batting stance.
Posted by: Lake Fred | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 07:09 PM
ST stats don't mean anything. Unless, of course, they are negative ones.
Posted by: Mike G | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 03:34 PM
If you're referring to the defensive stats posted, I don't care if it's spring training, the regular season, postseason or winter ball.
It's friggin' defense. You can either play it or you can't.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 07:18 PM
Stats dont matter one bit in ST...but seeing how a guy approaches an AB and how they look does. Brown looks good at the plate the first week.
Brown realizing his potential goes a long way towards the window staying open in 2013. Lets all hope he does.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 07:29 PM
Let's not forget beyond 2013, as well.
Posted by: Muuurgh | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 07:33 PM
****I don't really see the Rule 5 guy making the roster unless one of those 5 guys gets hurt or Ruf is a complete mess at the plate and in the field.****
Outside of me throwing out Ender's Game references non-stop, there is nothing that Ender Inciarte brings to the table that isn't already covered by Mayberry's presence on the 25 man. Inciarte is a speedy defense first CF guy. Mayberry covers that.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 07:34 PM
Regardless of his own rare error today, every error this team makes in Spring Training greatly enhances Galvis's chances of being the super utility guy come opening day.
Posted by: Pblunts | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 07:42 PM
I think Betancourt is playing himself into an early cut from the ST squad. But oh well, he wont be missed. Much rather have Galvis as the 25th man/super utility IF than Betancourt.
Odds are he'll get 300 PA regardless so it wont kill his development.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 07:47 PM
There is no chance at all that Valle is the backup catcher. None.
Posted by: Jack | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 08:17 PM
If he was, he'd have a real shot at being the first guy to have zero walks in a season with regular playing time.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 08:23 PM
I'm going to predict that someone is either injured or demoted and Inciarte makes the team.
I've only seen him in one at bat so far, but he took more pitches in that one at bat than Placido Polanco took in both hitches with the Phillies.
I suppose that will make the literal minded guys here crazy. Yes, it's hyperbole.
Posted by: aksmith | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 08:41 PM
aksmith, it's a good thing you said it was hyperbole.
I was THIS close to compiling the data.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 08:43 PM
The Wes Covington discussion was the BL highlight of the day.
So many good OF from that era, it's easy to loose sight of him.
The Braves in Milwaukee were a much more likeable team then the current version and Covington had a couple of good years as a Phil.
Posted by: Bubba | Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 11:06 PM
Agreed on the Wes Covington banter. In the early 60's his was the most difficult swing to mimic. I believe he became a very successful businessman in Alberta before his death.
Posted by: Grumpy Gramps | Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 04:43 AM
I missed the Covington discussion but his stance and Musial's were the two most fun ones to imitate when I was a kid.
My righty go-to stance was Frank Robinson, who was my hero anyway. I remember that Don Demeter had something unusual, but I cannot visualize it.
Posted by: Edmundo | Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 08:35 AM
Bunning and Mahaffey were the pitchers I loved to imitate. I remember Mahaffey having some kind of wild whip behind his back before swooping across with that sidearn of his. Gee, I wonder why he flamed out early?
Posted by: Edmundo | Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 08:37 AM
"Wes Covington ... In the early 60's his was the most difficult swing to mimic."
You have no idea. At a young boy in the DR, he was my hero! It was so very difficult to learn to copy his swing successfully, but I owe everything I am at the plate to Wes!
Posted by: Mini Mart | Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 08:50 AM
as you can see from this covington stat page at baseball almanac, he had a very cool signature. i read he was slowed due to a korean war leg injury. otherwise he might have been a full-time player. in the low minors, as a teammate of hank aaron, wes was projected to be the better player. he was more muscular and aaron was still a stringbean. interestingly, he wore #43 to hank's #44.
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=covinwe01
Posted by: bullit | Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 09:26 AM