Robert

A Different Way to Evaluate Hitters

BaseballSavant is a valuable resource packed with useful information, but some of the choices they’ve made with which statistics to put foremost on their site leave something to be desired. One of these I encounter frequently is Hard Hit rate, or the rate of batted balls a hitter has at 95+ mph. Or from aContinue reading “A Different Way to Evaluate Hitters”

The New Zack Wheeler

Zack Wheeler came to Philly with high expectations after signing a 5-year, $118 million deal in the winter of 2019 but managed to live up to them in his first year, posting a 2.92 ERA in 11 starts in the pandemic-shortened season. The way he went about it was somewhat surprising, however, as he registeredContinue reading “The New Zack Wheeler”

Alec Bohm and the Sophomore Slump

Disclaimer: this article talks about launch angle *a lot* and I’m very sorry for it In 2020 the Phillies entered the season with 2 prospects on most top 100 lists, with Spencer Howard widely regarded as the team’s premier youth product and an ace-to-be and third baseman Alec Bohm heralded as a gifted young hitter,Continue reading “Alec Bohm and the Sophomore Slump”

The Evolution of Zach Eflin

After an impressive 7 inning, 1 run, 8 strikeout outing against the Braves, Zach Eflin appears to be cementing his status as the No. 3 starter on the Phillies. Not only that, but according to advanced stats, he ranks as one of the best starters in all of baseball so far in this short season.Continue reading “The Evolution of Zach Eflin”

Aaron Nola’s Stellar Start

With the Phillies officially one-third of the way through this abbreviated season, their horse at the top of the rotation appears to be having a career year and pitching at a level reserved for the very best aces in the sport. After four starts Aaron Nola has a 2.05 ERA, a career high 12.6 K/9Continue reading “Aaron Nola’s Stellar Start”

Appreciating the pre-Bryce Right Fielders

Phillies fan are more than content with their current right fielder, but Bryce Harper is far from the first high profile player to don the red pinstripes in that corner of the outfield. His two most notable predecessors spent several seasons putting up gaudy numbers while patrolling the outfields at Veterans Stadium and Citizens BankContinue reading “Appreciating the pre-Bryce Right Fielders”

Zack Wheeler and Making the Leap

Wednesday brought the exciting news of Zack Wheeler’s 5 year, $118 million signing with the Philadelphia Phillies, and with it a multitude of pieces comparing his stuff to the very best pitchers in the game today: Gerrit Cole and Jake deGrom. These are the 2 most prominent aces in the league; comparisons to them shouldContinue reading “Zack Wheeler and Making the Leap”

Two Under-the-Radar Trade Targets for the Phillies

The Phillies have a problem. They are desperate for quality starting pitching and while many would love to see them splash out huge money on one of the top free agent aces available – Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, or Zack Wheeler – there is very little precedent for a team handing out enormous contracts inContinue reading “Two Under-the-Radar Trade Targets for the Phillies”