With the season starting Monday, it is time to make some completely random (and probably terrible) predictions for the 2014 Phillies season. Here we go.
Breakout Player of the Season: Cody Asche
Last season we witnessed Domonic Brown have a breakout season in which he hit .272 with 21 home runs. Brown crushed it in May, hitting .303 with 12 home runs in the month, propelling him to his first All-Star Game.
This year I'm feeling Cody Asche will be the youngster to have a breakout season for the Phillies. Ache hit .235 with five home runs in 162 at-bats, while also flashing some nice leather with the big club last season and appears poised for a big year as he takes over as full-time third baseman.
Asche didn't do much in Spring Training, but who cares? I'm picking him as the Breakout Player of the Season for the Phillies.
Player You've Never Heard Of, But Will Know by the End of the Season: Mario Hollands
Hollands was a non-roster invitee to camp this spring, and the left-hander looked impressive enough to snag a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old was solid this spring, compiling a 3.09 ERA in 11.2 innings.
Hollands has bounced around the minors since being drafted in 10th round in 2010 by the Phillies, compiling a career ERA of 3.93 across all levels.
This will be Hollands first year in the majors, and I'm feeling he'll be that guy that no one knew before the season, but will love by the end of it.
Plus, he has an interesting back story. He has a degree in sociology from UC Santa Barbara and apparently is taking classes at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising to get his degree in merchandise marketing.
Hey how about that! I'm a marketer. Now I'm pulling for you even more Mario.
Player I Hope Isn't a Member of the Team Come August: Jonathan Papelbon
Plain and simple, Papelbon annoys me. Apparently he has stepped up this spring into more of a leadership role, but he complained too much in the past and his comments last season don't make me like him more.
He's making a ton of money, and I see no point in a high-priced closer on a team expected to lose a lot. The Phillies will most likely have to eat some money to move him, but the time has come.
Final Record Prediction: 79-83
There really is not much rationale to this prediction. The Phillies went 73-89 last season and didn't really make any improvements in the offseason, but I'm feeling some dumb luck will let them improve their record slightly.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
Last season we witnessed Domonic Brown have a breakout season in which he hit .272 with 21 home runs. Brown crushed it in May, hitting .303 with 12 home runs in the month, propelling him to his first All-Star Game.
This year I'm feeling Cody Asche will be the youngster to have a breakout season for the Phillies. Ache hit .235 with five home runs in 162 at-bats, while also flashing some nice leather with the big club last season and appears poised for a big year as he takes over as full-time third baseman.
Asche didn't do much in Spring Training, but who cares? I'm picking him as the Breakout Player of the Season for the Phillies.
Player You've Never Heard Of, But Will Know by the End of the Season: Mario Hollands
Hollands was a non-roster invitee to camp this spring, and the left-hander looked impressive enough to snag a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old was solid this spring, compiling a 3.09 ERA in 11.2 innings.
Hollands has bounced around the minors since being drafted in 10th round in 2010 by the Phillies, compiling a career ERA of 3.93 across all levels.
This will be Hollands first year in the majors, and I'm feeling he'll be that guy that no one knew before the season, but will love by the end of it.
Plus, he has an interesting back story. He has a degree in sociology from UC Santa Barbara and apparently is taking classes at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising to get his degree in merchandise marketing.
Hey how about that! I'm a marketer. Now I'm pulling for you even more Mario.
Player I Hope Isn't a Member of the Team Come August: Jonathan Papelbon
Plain and simple, Papelbon annoys me. Apparently he has stepped up this spring into more of a leadership role, but he complained too much in the past and his comments last season don't make me like him more.
He's making a ton of money, and I see no point in a high-priced closer on a team expected to lose a lot. The Phillies will most likely have to eat some money to move him, but the time has come.
Final Record Prediction: 79-83
There really is not much rationale to this prediction. The Phillies went 73-89 last season and didn't really make any improvements in the offseason, but I'm feeling some dumb luck will let them improve their record slightly.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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