Phillies improving, but how much?
The rebuilding Philadelphia Phillies won eight more games in 2016 after owning the worst record in the major leagues in 2015. To continue that growth in Year 3 of the rebuild will require more offense, a better bullpen and consistency from the rotation. General manager Matt Klentak has already made efforts to address those needs for manager Pete Mackanin, trading for outfielder-infielder Howie Kendrick and reliever Pat Neshek and signing veteran reliever Joaquin Benoit. Expect Klentak to make more roster moves before the Phillies arrive at spring training. USA TODAY Sports’ Meghan Montemurro takes an inside look at the team. *Denotes prospect
Catcher
Cameron Rupp is the man behind home plate. With veteran catchers Carlos Ruiz (Seattle Mariners) and A.J. Ellis (free agent) no longer on the Phillies roster, Rupp, who will be taking on a bigger role in the 2017 season after becoming the starter over the last year, must continue to help the young pitchers develop and provide an offensive boost. Andrew Knapp and Jorge Alfaro are the only other catchers on the Philadelphia 40-man roster. If Philadelphia does not add a veteran, Knapp likely will make the big-league roster as the backup. Depth chart: Rupp, *Knapp,
*Alfaro
First base
For the first time since 2005, the lineup won’t feature slugger Ryan Howard, who is a free agent after his option was declined. Converted catcher Tommy Joseph played well as part of a platoon. Joseph was not even invited to big-league camp last spring. Now he has a chance to prove whether his 21-homer season was a byproduct of the favorable matchups. With no other true first baseman on the 40-man roster, Knapp could be the backup first baseman in addition to catching. Maikel Franco has four starts in two-plus seasons at first. Rhys Hoskins, 23, is an intriguing player who should start the year in Class AA after hitting 38 home runs and 26 doubles with a .943 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in Class AA. Depth chart: Joseph, Knapp, Kendrick, *Hoskins
Second base
The 2017 season is pivotal for Cesar Hernandez’s future with the organization. Hernandez led the Phillies with a .294 batting average. But his baserunning blunders frustrated the Phillies coaching staff . His defense also improved over the course of the season as he was smooth turning double plays with Freddy Galvis. Once top prospect J.P. Crawford is ready to be promoted from Class AAA, the Phillies must decide whether they want Hernandez or Galvis at second base. Kendrick, expected to start in left field, also can play the position.
Depth chart: Hernandez, Galvis, Kendrick, *Jesmuel Valentin
Third base
Franco’s disappointing 2016 campaign sets him up for an important year. Too many times he looked lost at the plate, flailing at pitches way outside of the strike zone. The Phillies think he can be an important part of the future, but Franco, 24 and entering his third full season in the big leagues, must show improvement in 2017. He swung at 34.5% of pitches outside of the strike zone, 13th worst among National League hitters. Franco’s power is tantalizing, and he has the potential to be a middle-of-the-lineup hitter. Depth chart: Franco, Kendrick, Hernandez
Shortstop
Galvis’ commitment to better defense turned him into one of the best shortstops in the majors in 2016. However, his offensive shortcomings have been glaring. Although he hit a career-high 20 home runs, Galvis had a .274 on-base percentage, worst of the 146 qualified big-league hitters in 2016. Galvis needs to prove he can be more than just a defensive shortstop for a team that has desperately needed more from its offense over the last two years. Crawford, 21, didn’t dominate during his first Class AAA stint, but his defense is big-league ready, and he could make his big-league debut in late 2017.
Depth chart: Galvis, Hernandez, *Crawford
Left field
Kendrick is their key offseason addition. His versatility allowed him to play four positions for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016. He brings stability to a position where nine players started last season. The Phillies are hoping they get the 2015 version of Kendrick (.295 average, .746 OPS) rather than the 2016 version (.255, .691). The backup spots in the outfield are unclear. Roman Quinn, who has a lengthy injury history, could rotate among the three positions.
Depth chart: Kendrick, *Quinn, Aaron Altherr, *Tyler Goeddel, *Nick Williams
Center field
Odubel Herrera has been one of the Phillies’ best players since they took him in the Rule 5 draft before the 2015 season. He is coming off an All-Star season and last week was rewarded with a five-year, $30.5 million extension. He struggled in July but had a strong finish. While the outfield collectively wasn’t good offensively, defensively it didn’t let too many balls drop in 2016. Herrera’s ability to cover a lot of ground has helped Phillies pitchers.
Depth chart: Herrera, *Quinn, Altherr, *Williams
Right field
Right field is again one of the biggest question marks. Altherr was expected to be the starter to open 2016, but he suffered a left wrist injury trying to make a catch during spring training and missed nearly five months after having surgery. He wasn’t the same hitter when he returned, posting an eye-popping 30% strikeout rate. His plus defense and ability to hit for extra bases puts him in position to fight for the job against Quinn. Williams had a poor 2016 at Class AAA but could reach the big leagues during the 2017 season if he can bounce back. Dylan Cozens, 22, is intriguing and also should be at Class AAA after hitting 40 home runs and 38 doubles with 125 RBI and a .941 OPS in Class AA.
Depth chart: Altherr, *Quinn, *Williams, *Cozens
Starting pitchers
Jeremy Hellickson’s decision to accept the Phillies’ $17.2 million qualifying offer for 2017 gives the rotation a veteran who enjoys
working alongside the young starters. BesidesJerad Eickhoff, arguably the Phillies’ most consistent starter last season, the rest of the rotation is riddled with unknowns. Aaron Nola fell apart after a great first two months and is returning from an elbow injury that caused him to get shut down before season’s end. Zach Eflin is coming back from patellar tendon surgery on both knees. Vince Velasquez’s potential was on display during his first full season as a starter, but his injury history remains worrisome. Hellickson, Eickhoff, Velasquez and Nola, if healthy, are locks to be in the rotation. That leaves Eflin, Jake Thompson, Alec Asher and perhaps Adam Morgan fighting for the final spot in camp. Mark Appel, the former No. 1 overall pick of the Houston Astros, is returning from season-ending surgery to remove a bone spur in his elbow. Klentak hasn’t ruled out a starter or two getting bumped to the bullpen because of organizational depth at the position.
Depth chart: RHP Hellickson, RHP Eickhoff, RHP Velasquez, RHP Nola, RHP Eflin, RHP Thompson, RHP Asher, LHP Morgan, *RHP Appel, *RHP Ben Lively
Bullpen
Phillies relievers went through stretches in 2016 in which their inconsistencies ruined solid performances from the starting staff. It’s a unit that must perform better if the Phillies want to take another step forward. The club added a veteran reliever in righthander Benoit, who could fill a variety of roles. Hector Neris has the potential to be elevated to the closer’s role after performing well as a setup man. Jeanmar Gomez recorded 37 saves but struggled in the final month and seems better suited for a seventh- or eighthinning role. The Phillies liked what they saw from righty Edubray Ramos, 24, and he should have a prominent role in the late innings. Acquiring right-hander Neshek from the Astros gives the Phillies another much-needed veteran. The rest of the bullpen will be in flux until opening day. Joely Rodriguez, Luis Garcia and Severino Gonzalez are expected to compete for spots.
Depth chart: RHP Neris, RHP Gomez, RHP Benoit, RHP Ramos, RHP Neshek, LHP Rodriguez, RHP Garcia, RHP Gonzalez