Guest Feature from Tim Kelly

18 Nuggets I've Arrived at From Covering the Phillies So Far in 2023

The defending National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies are 20-23 as they head into an off day.

To say that the Phillies have been inconsistent would be the understatement of the year. They’ll return home on a four-game losing streak. Prior to that, Rob Thomson’s squad won five games in a row. And naturally, before winning five games in a row, the Phillies experienced a season-long six-game losing streak. Oh, and in the 10 games leading up to their six-game losing streak, the Phillies were 8-2. 

So what should you make of it all? Well, here are 18 Phillies Nuggets I’ve gathered from covering the team this season. 

1. Bryson Stott Is World Class At Fouling Pitches Off

Stott worked an eight-pitch walk off of Alec Manoah in a May 9 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, providing value for the Phillies even as he was in the midst of one of his worst offensive stretches of his young career. 

It’s hardly the first time that Stott has had a positive result after fouling quite a few pitches off against an elite pitcher. 

In Game 3 of the 2022 NLCS against the Atlanta Braves, Stott fouled off four consecutive pitches before doubling into right field off of Spencer Strider on the ninth pitch of his at-bat, plating Brandon Marsh and setting up one of the most iconic home runs in franchise history from Rhys Hoskins later in the inning. 

In the top of the fourth inning in Game 1 of the 2023 World Series, Stott followed up RBIs from Nick Castellanos and Alec Bohm by working a 10-pitch walk – which featured four foul balls – against future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander, then pitching for the Houston Astros. 

So what makes Stott so gifted at fouling off pitches? 

“Just hand-eye [coordination] – but his happen to go foul, other guys go fair,” manager Rob Thomson said with a chuckle. “But he’s really good, he’s really good at battling and staying in the at-bat. 

Is there hope that Stott will eventually put some of these foul balls in play more consistently? 

“Yeah, I don’t know,” Thomson acknowledged. “I’m good with foul balls because it creates pitches and gets into the opposing team’s bullpen quicker.” 

2. Aaron Nola’s Ability To Rack Up Innings Shouldn’t Be Taken For Granted

There were quite a few scoffs earlier this season when Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors suggested that “a contract north of $200 million” could be possible for Nola if he stayed healthy in his contract year. 

Without a doubt, Nola will need to improve upon the 4.53 ERA and 4.09 FIP that he’s posted in his first nine starts of 2023 if he wants to sniff such a contract. 

But while Nola hasn't been the All-Star version of himself this season, he is still seventh among all pitchers with 55 2/3 innings pitched this season. Since 2018, he leads all pitchers with 927 1/3 IP. That type of durability is extremely valuable, and whether it’s the Phillies or someone else, he’ll be compensated for it in the offseason. 

3. José Alvarado Is Having One Of The Best Seasons A Phillies Reliever Has Ever Had

Alvarado is currently on the injured list with left elbow inflammation, and Thomson suggested that the team will be patient with the flamethrowing lefty’s recovery. 

But make no mistake, before his injury Alvarado was in the midst of one of the most dominant stretches that a Phillies reliever has ever had. In 14 games, Alvarado has a 0.63 ERA, 0.89 FIP and 15.07 K/9. The only thing that could prevent the 27-year-old from being an All-Star is if he winds up missing too much time – there’s no debate about whether he’s been one of the best relievers in baseball when he’s taken the ball this year.

Craig Kimbrel – one of the better relievers in MLB history – has been blown away by his new teammate’s start to 2023. 

“Oh, he’s unbelievable,” Kimbrel said of Alvarado. “He’s got some of the best stuff I’ve ever seen. [He’s got] an electric fastball, he throws a cutter … I mean it’s basically a slider and it’s 96 or 97 mph. So I mean, you put those two things together and he’s pretty unhittable, and we’ve seen that so far this year.”

4. Nick Castellanos Is Once Again A Doubles Machine

If Castellanos hasn’t been the best offensive player on the Phillies in 2022, he’s been pretty close to it. 

From an individual sense, Castellanos had a hugely disappointing first season in red pinstripes. But the former Silver Slugger Award winner has rebounded tremendously so far in the second year of a $100 million deal. 

At the time of publication, Castellanos is slashing .304/.350/.476 with five home runs, 25 RBIs and an .826 OPS. Only reigning NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt and former All-Star Bryan Reynolds have more doubles among players in the senior circuit. 

And while he’s given some incredibly insightful quotes about being more comfortable with the Phillies in his second season with the team, he was short and sweet in delivering the quote of the year in late April. 

“When Nick is comfortable, he’s in a good spot,” Castellanos said of himself.