This past Monday, we began to predict who would make up the 2020 Phillies out of Spring Training. Part one of this week’s article included the position players that I believe could make the team out of Clearwater. Without further ado, here are my predictions for which pitchers will make up the Starting Rotation and Bullpen.
Starters:
- Jake Arrieta
- Zach Eflin
- Aaron Nola
- Vince Velasquez
- Zack Wheeler
Relievers:
- Jose Alvarez (L)
- Victor Arano
- Seranthony Dominguez
- J.D. Hammer
- Francisco Liriano (L)
- Adam Morgan (L)
- Hector Neris
- Ranger Suarez (L)
Analysis:
There are 5 starters and 8 relievers, which brings the total to 13 pitchers in all. Out of the 13 pitchers, there are only 4 that are left-handed. All of which are in the bullpen.
With the way the current roster is constructed, it appears that the team is likely to break camp with an all right-handed starting rotation. The only change from last season to this season is the addition of Zack Wheeler. He, along with Aaron Nola, should form a dynamic 1-2 punch that will hopefully give the Phillies a competitive advantage in the tightly packed NL East.
If anyone were to be spelled from the current staff, it would most likely be Vince Velasquez. Even if Vinny Velo were to fail to make the team as a starter, he would most certainly have a place on the team as a reliever. Speaking of relievers, David Robertson, who is in the 2nd year of his contract he signed last winter, is not likely to pitch at any point during the first half of the season due to an elbow injury.
With this in mind, it appears the likes of Héctor Neris, Seranthony Dominguez, and Victor Arano will get much of the team’s late inning work. Left handers Jose Alvarez and Adam Morgan should also pitch in some big spots for the Fightens. Fellow southpaw Francisco Liriano is also a candidate to make the team, especially when you consider the success he’s had against left handed hitters in recent years. In this roster construction, he would serve as a long reliever. The final roster spot is occupied by J.D. Hammer.
A few other candidates to make the roster include LHP Austin Davis, and RHP’s Enyel De Los Santos, Edgar Garcia, and Nick Pivetta. Non-roster invitees Bud Norris, and Drew Storten could also make the team if they perform well in Spring Training. Neither Norris nor Storen appeared in the big leagues in 2019.
In my opinion, the pitching staff is much more difficult to predict than the offense. There are a number of pitchers who have shown some flashes in years prior, but injuries and inconsistency have prevented them from holding a job at the major league level. The Phillies will definitely have to make some tough decisions when deciding which group of 26 players they will take with them to open up the season in Miami.
Bonus:
Now that we have configured our mock 26 man roster for the upcoming season, let’s try and predict what the Opening Day Line-up will be vs the Marlins on March 26th.
- LF Andrew McCutchen
- C J.T. Realmuto
- RF Bryce Harper (L)
- 1B Rhys Hoskins
- SS Didi Gregorious (L)
- 3B Scott Kingery
- 2B Jean Segura
- CF Adam Haseley (L)
- P Aaron Nola
Philadelphia Sports Chronicle 