So far as spring coaching video games go, Friday’s was a giant one. Beginning pitcher Jesus Luzardo, the Phillies’ greatest acquisition of the offseason, made his debut in crimson pinstripes, pitching two spotless innings, giving followers a short glimpse of what we are able to count on as soon as the workforce travels again north in lower than a month.
The pitching that got here after Luzardo wasn’t precisely glowing — seven of the 9 pitchers who took the mound after Luzardo allowed 13 complete walks, which is what allowed Boston to take the lead within the first place — nevertheless it wasn’t all unhealthy. Jean Cabrera, one of the intriguing pitching prospects within the Phillies’ system, had an awesome outing, permitting one stroll and three strikeouts over one inning of labor.
Luzardo’s two innings had been electrical, however we noticed greater than that. Over the previous few innings a parade of younger Phillies lifted the workforce over the Pink Sox after falling behind, 4-1. Justin Crawford, a prospect who has drawn wildly completely different evaluations since he was drafted in 2022, led off the sixth inning with a stroll after which stole second. He was knocked in after fellow prospect Gabriel Rincones Jr. completely smoked a ball to proper subject.
Non-roster invitees Matt Kroon and Carson Taylor did their elements within the seventh. Kroon heaved a solo homer to left subject, which was adopted by a single from Taylor, who crossed dwelling plate after 2024 fourth-rounder Carson DiMartini additionally hit a house run.
Rafael Marchan, who’s battling with Garrett Stubbs for the backup catcher place, hit a two-out single, however was stranded on the finish of the inning. You could wish to get accustomed to seeing Marchan on the plate and behind the dish — whereas Stubbs is a crowd and clubhouse favourite, he’s obtained one choice left and may nonetheless be despatched all the way down to the minors if want be. Marchan is out of choices, which suggests he’ll should be designated for project and faraway from the 40-man roster if the Phillies wish to ship him to the minors. He’d should make it via waivers earlier than the Phillies would for certain get him again, and the entrance workplace seems to love him an excessive amount of to danger one other workforce choosing him up for nothing.
Taylor, a catcher and former Dodger who was picked up by the Phillies on the finish of 2023, homered within the eighth inning so as to add two extra runs and full the comeback. Taylor performed simply six video games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley final yr, spending many of the season in Studying, however his early output might give him that bump to remain at Triple-A all season.
Not all these guys are purported to be a part of the Phillies future. However similar to any future workforce, will probably be made up of men who had been purported to be good and guys who ended up being good. Seeing guys like Taylor, Cabrera and Rincones present flashes of who they may very well be down the street is thrilling, and offers our collective creativeness just a little extra meat to work with as we attempt to envision what the workforce will likely be like in 4-6 years, when quite a few acquainted faces can have moved on.
Hear us talk about Luzardo and the prospects on the Hittin’ Season podcast.