***The Official Philadelphia Phillies 2012 Thread***

The Jeagler wrote:

Jearlpam0925 wrote:

Did you know John Lithgow is Brad Pitt's uncle?

that is an interesting tidbit.

compelling and rich.

Sounds like it could be true doesn't it?

The Jeagler wrote:

Jearlpam0925 wrote:

The Jeagler wrote:

that is an interesting tidbit.

compelling and rich.

Sounds like it could be true doesn't it?

a lot of things sound like they could be true.

But it's so random no one would question why you would make something up that was so stupid. Try it sometime.

The Jeagler wrote:

Jearlpam0925 wrote:

The Jeagler wrote:

a lot of things sound like they could be true.

But it's so random no one would question why you would make something up that was so stupid. Try it sometime.

pj hawks is actually keith law.

Who is also Billy Beane's nephew.

Jearlpam0925 wrote:

Did you know John Lithgow is Brad Pitt's uncle?

huh, didn't know that.

also, in real life the dude that plays dexter and the chick that plays his sister are married. not sure what he is thinking there...that chick is nasty looking

another dom brown article. glad amaro has ibanez locked up for next year.



The Phillies were reluctant to part with outfield prospect Domonic Brown in a deal for Roy Halladay at the trade deadline last year, and wound up getting Cliff Lee instead without having to part with Brown. (Of course, they eventually wound up with Halladay too, but that's a different story.)

Given the way Brown's offensive production has exploded this season, it's easy to see why the team was so hesitant to part with him. The 22-year-old outfielder hit .318 with 15 homers, 12 steals and a .993 OPS in 65 games at Double-A before being promoted recently. He hasn't missed a beat at Triple-A, hitting .364 with four homers in his first 15 games there.

Obviously he was one of the key players I wanted to see in person Sunday in the Futures Game; I wanted to see how much he had developed since I saw him extensively during the 2009 Arizona Fall League. At that time, his tools, athleticism and raw ability were obvious, yet so was the fact at times he looked a little awkward and uncoordinated both at the plate and in the field, partially because Brown wasn't a full-time baseball player until he turned pro in 2006. It wasn't difficult to project him eventually turning those tools into better baseball skills and smoothing out the rough edges in his game in order to become an impact player. It was just a question of when. Let me put it this way: This wasn't a Reggie Abercrombie/Charlton Jimerson type, a talent with immense tools who just wouldn't be able to hit.

So what has changed since last season? Well, the first thing is just growing into his body, continuing to fill out his lanky 6-foot-5 frame, as Keith Law alluded to in his Futures Game recap. Brown has told me in the past that he is trying to gain pounds and strength yet not get too big and lose his speed. He even discussed his regimen of waking up early in the morning after a night game just to eat a meal before going back to bed, in order to help him maintain his weight. Well, whatever he has been doing is working.

While observing the game, Keith and I also agreed that he has much better body control, and a lot of the awkwardness is no longer evident. He stays back better while hitting in order to get more consistent leverage in his swing. Before, he used to drift forward a little too much, which made it more difficult for him to hit off-speed pitches. But as I mentioned in an AFL blog, that was a correctable issue, and he has made good strides in that regard. I also think he's a little more upright with his stance, which is helping him get a little more juice in his stroke. There's good bat speed, his bat stays in the zone longer and he turns on mistake pitches. Brown has the pitch recognition and plate discipline to allow him to hit for average, as well. I still think his swing gets a little too big at times, but again, there has been improvement there, too.

As a base stealer, Brown is still developing; he has 14 steals this season with just a 66 percent success rate, after going 23-for-33 last season. He's succeeding just on raw speed at this point, and still needs to learn the nuances of reading pitches and getting good jumps. Even though he's a big guy, Brown can be a consistent 20-steal threat in the big leagues with a little more refinement. Put that with his batting average/power combo and he becomes an enticing package for fantasy owners.

At the beginning of the season, I thought Brown was another year away in his development, but one thing I have learned in the development of "toolsy" players is that great athletes such as Brown, who originally planned on going to the University of Miami on a football scholarship before signing with the Phillies, can progress and mature very quickly. That's what has happened here. He's progressing more quickly than many scouts expected.

Brown departed the Futures Game early due to minor tightness in his right hamstring, but all indications are that it was just a precautionary measure, and he is expected to be right back in the lineup when his Triple-A club resumes play Thursday. A month ago, I wouldn't have pegged Brown for anything more than a September call-up, especially with general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. publicly stating the club was not going to promote Brown unless they were going to play him every day. But the kid's continued performance has made things interesting. Any kind of injury to one of the Phillies outfielders obviously would open up space, but Brown would be an upgrade to Raul Ibanez right now if given the shot, especially with Ibanez continuing to slug under .400 at age 38. There also have been reports the club is willing to at least listen to offers on free agent-to-be Jayson Werth if they can get someone (or multiple players) who could help them this season. That also would open up a spot for Brown. We'll just have to see how things play out over the next few weeks.

But suffice to say the difference in the Domonic Brown of 2010 versus the 2009 version is noticeable and significant, and he's ready to make an impact now if given the opportunity.

pjhawks wrote:

The Fixer wrote:

pjhawks wrote:

back to baseball guys - how can Charlie start Howard over Joey Votto at DH - doesn't he realize Votto's WAR is much higher and his OPS is off the charts? Man Charlie is a dumbass.


ps: sarcasm guys, just being a wiseass no need to rip into me.

Manuel is a dumb ass...I agree there. Actually Howard has no business being an all star. There are 3 1B in the NL that have better numbers. Well, at least he put him at DH, which is the position he should be playing during the regular season. I could care less though...all star games are stupid

why the fuck is manuel starting moyer on thursday? he is such a dumb hick

stats stats stats same as blah blah blah

the teams the 3 better 1b are on all have better records than the phils right now too

The Fixer wrote:

pjhawks wrote:

The Fixer wrote:

Manuel is a dumb ass...I agree there. Actually Howard has no business being an all star. There are 3 1B in the NL that have better numbers. Well, at least he put him at DH, which is the position he should be playing during the regular season. I could care less though...all star games are stupid

why the fuck is manuel starting moyer on thursday? he is such a dumb hick

stats stats stats same as blah blah blah

the teams the 3 better 1b are on all have better records than the phils right now too

you know that has nothing to do with anything right? injuries are the main reason for our slow start this year. howard's leading the team in just about every offensive category. we'll see where we stack up in october.

The Fixer wrote:

The Jeagler wrote:

you know that has nothing to do with anything right? injuries are the main reason for our slow start this year. howard's leading the team in just about every offensive category. we'll see where we stack up in october.

true. just because he's leading the phillies in offensive categories doesn't mean anything either. there are 3 other 1B in the NL alone that are having better years than howard.

whatever, I don't want to start bashing howard again. the all star game is pointless. he shouldn't be there, let alone be starting

it means that he's carrying this team with all the other guy's out.

it is also worth noting that these other 1b's you keep referring to are 3 of the very best players in all of baseball. just so happens they play the same position as howard. 1b is what 3b used to be back in the day.

The Jeagler wrote:

it means that he's carrying this team with all the other guy's out.

it is also worth noting that these other 1b's you keep referring to are 3 of the very best players in all of baseball. just so happens they play the same position as howard. 1b is what 3b used to be back in the day.

Howard is having a decent year. To say he is carrying the phillies is funny though. The only reason they are in the race is because of their pitching. Which is strange but true

about time amaro did something, well something not stupid. happ isn't solving any problems this year. he better not be the contingency plan


Reunion Seems Unlikely For Pedro, Phillies
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 13 at 7:35pm CST]
Pedro Martinez has yet to throw off a mound this year, so the chances that he signs with the Phillies for a second consecutive year appear to be dwindling. MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki reports that Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. spoke to Pedro’s agent, Fernando Cuza, and determined that things have changed since last year.

“They're different circumstances,” Amaro said, pointing out that Pedro pitched in last year’s World Baseball Classic. “He hasn't gotten on a mound [in 2010]. Only Pedro could say when he'd be ready. I'm sure he knows, but I couldn't tell you."

Amaro didn’t rule out a reunion, but Zolecki suggests the Phillies will not bring Pedro back. J.A. Happ is pitching at Triple A and could return soon, but the Phillies are considering help outside the organization.

Pedro posted 7.5 K/9 with 1.6 BB/9 last year, along with a 3.63 ERA. He didn’t throw much (just 44.2 innings), but he provided the Phils with a late-season boost. This year, Amaro could turn to Dan Haren (a player the Phillies have interest in) or other potentially available arms like Fausto Carmona and former Phillie Brett Myers.