2017 Pre-Season Profile: Philadelphia Phillies

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The Philadelphia Phillies made great strides in 2016 in their rebuilding process.  How far are they away from making their way back to the top of the National League?

My 2016 Predictions

5th in NL East

This will be Ryan Howard's last season in Philadelphia.

2016 Results

71-91, 4th in NL East

The Phillies were the worst team in baseball in 2015 as the rebuilding process has been in full effect.  2016 saw the last of the holdovers from the 2008 season say farewell to Philly as the team completely moves on.  Carlos Ruiz was traded mid-season, and (as I predicted) Ryan Howard ended his time with the Phillies.  With this transition complete, the Phillies made great strides as the new young core started to grow together.

Additions / Subtractions

As I already mentioned, Ryan Howard has moved on.  Most of the acquisitions made by the Phillies this offseason were of the veteran variety to fill in some holes in the lineup before the rest of the kids are ready for the big time.  Howie Kendrick and Michael Saunders are now manning the corner outfield spots.  They traded for Clay Buchholz to fill out their rotation.  They also signed Joaquin Benoit and Pat Neshek to bolster their bullpen.

Most Important Hitter

Maikel Franco

Odubel Herrera has emerged as a budding superstar for the Phillies.  However, for a team to be good, they need more than one superstar.  Maikel Franco is the closest to that level.  If he takes some steps forward this season, the Phillies could have the core they want to anchor their lineup for the next decade.

Most Important Pitcher

Clay Buchholz

Clay Buchholz at one time was a budding ace of the Red Sox.  Now he has been sent off disgraced to Philadelphia.  The Phillies made the deal banking on a bounce back season for Buchholz.  If he has that resurrection in his career that they are hoping for, the Phillies' rotation looks pretty strong.

Player to Watch

Jorge Alfaro

With last year's Player to Watch, J.P. Crawford, still waiting for his big league debut, I could have easily gone with Crawford again.  However, Jorge Alfaro is the more intriguing pick for this season.  Alfaro is one of the best catching prospects in the league, having been acquired in the 2015 Cole Hamels deal.  He got a taste of the show last season, and the only thing keeping him from breaking out is current starting catcher Cameron Rupp.  If Rupp struggles, gets injured, or gets traded, look for Alfaro to get his big shot.

2017 Prediction

5th in NL East

The Phillies are definitely taking some steps forward, and they are on their way to being elite.  The problem is the rest of the NL East is either elite or on the rise at the same time.  I could see the Phillies improve their record again this year, but drop down in the standings due to how the division is shaping out.  I really like where this team is headed though.

Fearless Prediction

The Phillies will have more than one All Star this season.

The last time the Phillies sported more than the minimum one All Star was 2013.  This year has enough star power that they could get a second All Star sent to Miami this year.  Look for Herrera to return to the game, with Franco, Buchholz, Jeremy Hellickson, Jerad Eikhoff, or closer Jeanmar Gomez all having a chance to make the roster if their season goes the right way.

2016 Pre-Season Profile: Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies had the worst record in baseball in 2015 as they started their massive rebuilding process.  Will 2016 bring any better luck?

Last Season

My 2015 Prediction: 5th in NL East

2015 Result: 63-99, 5th in NL East

Finally, the Philadelphia Phillies core that led them to a World Series in 2008 aged to the point that they had to move on.  Jimmy Rollins went to the Dodgers before the season started, while Cole Hamels and Chase Utley were traded mid-season.  The Phillies are officially in full rebuild mode.  They finished with the worst record in baseball, which gives them the first pick in 2016 draft.

2016 Additions / Subtractions

The Phillies continued their rebuild this offseason by trading away closer Ken Giles for more prospects, including former #1 pick Mark Appel and left-handed starter Brett Oberholtzer.  They also picked up some veterans to go with their young pieces like Charlie Morton and Peter Bourjos.

Most Important Hitter

Odubel Herrera

Odubel Herrera took advantage of the rebuilding process by becoming the Phillies' best player in his rookie season.  He is looking like he could be a potential centerpiece of this new Phillies roster.  He has to keep developing though for that to be the case.  Look for him to be the Phillies' All Star representative in 2016.  If not, he might not be a part of their plans moving forward.

Most Important Pitcher

Aaron Nola

Just as Herrera established himself as a potential cornerstone of the Phillies' future offensively, Aaron Nola showed the potential to be the cornerstone of the Phillies' future rotation.  Look for Nola to take a few steps forward in his first full season in the big leagues.  He has the potential to be Phillies' next great ace.

Player to Watch

J.P. Crawford

The Phillies' top prospect, and top five prospect in all of baseball, will most likely make his debut in 2016, especially considering what kind of season the Phillies are planning on having.  The future is now for this shortstop, who could quickly join names like Correa and Lindor as the next great wave of great shortstops.

2016 Prediction

5th in NL East

The NL East has two teams that are completely starting over in the Braves and the Phillies.  The biggest question is which one is going to be worse this year.  I am thinking it will once again be the Phillies taking the bottom spot and very well could be the worst team in baseball once again.  With the way they are starting this whole thing over, it might not be till 2020 before the Phillies are relevant again.

Fearless Prediction

This will be Ryan Howard's last season in Philadelphia.

This might not be that bold of a prediction, but it is true.  Ryan Howard and catcher Carlos Ruiz are the last players left from the Phillies' World Series runs.  Howard is getting older and is in the last year of big superstar contract.  He will either be traded at the Deadline this year, be signed by someone else next offseason, or retire.  Whatever team he ends up on after the Phillies, it will most likely be an AL team where he can DH.  Maybe Big Papi's replacement in Boston?