What a strange year 2019 has been for the Phillies. A lot of what we expected to happen didn't and many of our player projections went sideways.
After a really promising start, most of it was bad. I can sum up 2019 with David Robertson. The veteran righty walked into the Phillies' clubhouse having appeared in 60+ games for nine straight years.
He will conclude his two-year Phillies career with 6.2 innings pitched after succumbing to Tommy John.
That is 2019 at Citizens Bank Ballpark.
Onward and upward. It's September again and time to evaluate and rank the 40-man roster. The 40-man is going to change quite a bit as it always does, so let's start right at the bottom and work our way up.
Summer brought with it a constant reminder of the club's new focus on winning in the form of a parade of journeyman signings. Our 31-40 list is filled with these fleeting figures.
As always, rankings are a combination of 2019 success and future value. (Last year's rank in parentheses)
40. Jose Pirela, OF (NA): A veteran with some hitting skills, Pirela was picked up for depth in late July. But he was quickly eclipsed by Corey Dickerson, and even Logan Morrison. Pirela languishes in Lehigh Valley, where he isn't performing particularly well. Will most certainly be ejected from the 40-man in October.
39. Logan Morrison, 1B (NA): One of those guys who lost it quickly in his 30s. Two years ago, Morrison hit 38 homers for the Rays and drew 81 walks. Last year, he hit .186 for the Twins and found only a minor league offer this year. A lumbering guy realistically limited to first base, it's hard to see the Phils having any use for him in 2020.
38. Juan Nicasio, RP (NA): Things have not gone especially well for the veteran righty of late. Hitters mashed him hard after the All-Star break and he's gone to the injured list twice. Looks like the end of the line for the impending free agent.
37. Drew Anderson, SP (36): Not a high draft pick, never a prospect and a pitcher with no plus pitches. Hurlers with this profile need to maximize their limited opportunities. For the third straight season, Anderson got a few innings to show the big club something. For the third year, he missed the mark. He added an unsightly 0-6, 5.77 ERA at Lehigh Valley, with a lengthy injury timeout. Last year, I wrote: "he might hold onto his spot for another year." At this point, the 25-year-old would appear to be a DFA candidate.
36. Brad Miller, Utility (NA): The much-traveled Miller once hit 30 homers for the Rays (doesn't everyone?). Seems like a long time ago. The versatile veteran popped four dingers with the Phillies, but it likely won't be near enough to warrant a return for the soon-to-be free agent.
35. Drew Smyly, SP (NA): The 2019 Phillies have a remarkable number of veteran fringe players just passing through. Smyly is another guy who has not proved worthy of 2020 consideration (7.20 ERA last five starts).
34. Jerad Eickhoff, SP (IL): This is a tough one for me. Much respect for guys who work as hard as Eickhoff does and keep getting up off the floor. However, the results just aren't there and it would be surprising to see the Phils offer him arbitration. After struggling with the big club (5.71 ERA in 11 Gs) earlier this summer, Eickhoff went on the IL. Most recently he's been lit up in Double A. The 29-year-old should get a minors deal somewhere, perhaps even at Lehigh Valley.
33. Jason Vargas, SP (NA): His six starts with the club are noteworthy for the lowest K/9 rate (4.6) you'll see in today's game. No reporters were harmed by this acquisition -- yet. Thanks and good luck with your future endeavors, sir.
32. Maikel Franco, 3B (4): Not sure what's worse, Franco's performance or me ranking him 4th last year. Yikes.
Once again, we seem to have reached the end of the Franco era. This time, it feels permanent. After a torrid April start that sparked talk of Franco smashing records for 8th-hole production, it all came crashing down after Maik's swing holes returned. When he times it up in his zone, the man can mash a baseball. The low-and-away slider is his Chappaquiddick. Good luck, Maik. Hello, Alec Bohm.
31: Andrew Knapp, C (29): While not among the highest priorities, one would think the Phils are in the market for a backup catcher upgrade. Knapp has not produced either at the plate (.598 OPS) or in the field (20% caught stealing rate). Meanwhile, Deivi Grullon has 21 homers and a .283 batting average in Triple A. Spring training battle?
Next up: several relievers and a some minor thoughts dominate the 21-30 list.
