With reinforcements nearing a call-up after Tommy Joseph‘s offensive fireworks, the Philadelphia Phillies may be promoting another outfield bat. But, firstly, Cody Asche and Jimmy Paredes have at least this month to impress general manager Matt Klentak. However, a hot hitter could force the head honcho to authorize another advancement from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to Philly. In other words, the competition for those corner jobs will continue into July.

GENUINE INSIGHT

Tomorrow’s Red Pinstripes:

Control and uncertainty are “partners” in a contradictory relationship, while talent and desire are compatible, not automatic.

In a sport obsessed with numbers, the magic ones are 25 and 40 for all those hopefuls with the goal of a major league career. Of course, 25 men are on the active roster and 40 percent of baseball is luck according to Charlie Manuel, the most successful skipper in franchise history. Basically, the ingredients for a coveted shot to achieve a lifelong dream are talent, desire and the controllable aspects the athlete has despite the ever-present uncertainty associated with opportunity.

According to Corey Seidman of CSNPhilly.com, Nick Williams did not play a lot in cold weather during his high school days or in the minors for Texas. Seidman claimed his power surge is neither a coincidence nor a surprise. Hitting season.

If you remember past articles here, you know Double D, a poster from another site, has posed a question or two. This time, he wonders when we’ll see the acquired prospects from the Rangers and Astros. Well, if Williams continues to average .300 for June, he’ll be the call-up to replace Paredes. Keep in mind, Asche will have more than a month to prove himself, Tyler Goeddel is a Rule 5 keeper, Peter Bourjos is now a defensive reserve, and Williams can handle right field. So, Double D, the direction the organization will take depends on June’s results for Paredes and Williams.

“If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.” —Yogi Berra

Around the Diamond:

In the field, Maikel Franco communicates nonstop with Freddy Galvis and quickly alerts the shortstop regarding his intentions for a few anticipated plays as the count changes. The third baseman vocalizes the possibilities in Spanish to handle any eventuality at the hot corner and improve the left-side infield defense by reading the hitter. He’s hunting for a first-pitch fastball! In the dugout, Andres Blanco will approach Franco to point out any improvements he could make with his glove or bat. And while Philly is on offense late in the contest, Franco gets a moundsman’s perspective from Hector Neris and shares his view from the batter’s box.

In the pipeline for catching, Double D, Jorge Alfaro will join Andrew Knapp with the IronPigs for the second half of the campaign. They will split their time behind the plate and at first base. Realistically, Alfaro has heart-of-the-order potential and could be the regular next summer with Cameron Rupp as the backup. By then, hopefully, Alfaro’s health issues will be in the rearview mirror, while Knapp will probably remain in Triple-A as injury insurance–like he is now. But, no doubt, he’ll also have a shot with the Phils before ’17 is over.

In addition to first sacker Joseph for 2017’s infield, J.P. Crawford will probably spend three months at Lehigh Valley next year before he can become the everyday shortstop with the red and white. Franco, Joseph and Alfaro can hit third, fourth and fifth respectively, while Crawford may be ideal in the two hole behind Odubel Herrera: The shortstop will get a steady diet of fastballs there. For now, Double D, Crawford must adjust to the breaking ball at Triple-A and use his good eye to gradually increase his OBP: for instance, 14 walks to 20 strikeouts.

While the outfield has Williams almost ready to leap to the majors, center fielder Roman Quinn is now on the disabled list with a strained left oblique. Tantalizingly, the fleet center fielder combines the potential of a .300 hitter with the excitement of stolen bases and triples. Yes, Double D, Williams and Quinn could be the future regulars flanking Herrera.

Indeed, number 37.

Displaying an extraordinary learning curve, Herrera went from Double-A second baseman in 2014 to a starting center fielder with a .297 average last summer. And he not only lowered his punch outs but increased his free passes dramatically for 2016. And if skeptics need another example, he went from having an interpreter during an April interview with Phillies broadcaster Gregg Murphy to speaking passable English during Murphy’s interview earlier this month. Clearly, Herrera is a core-caliber star and a leader with championship aspirations, and he is more than the bull horns he flashes to ignite a rally. What does he have on the inside? The heart of the bull.

PLEASE, IF YOU LIKED IT, TWEET IT, FLIP IT, POST IT ON FACEBOOK, OR PASS IT ON. THANK YOU.

The Numerical Bible:

Storyline and Red Alert are not sabermetrics articles, which means no heavy statistical analysis. But because some readers rely on stats, this is only a reference: no reason to articulate the importance of these numbers.

Statistics are through June 17. * On the disabled list.

OF Williams, 22.5: 57 Gms., 242 PA, a .288 Avg., a .336 OBP, a .466 SLG, a .178 ISO, a .359 BABIP, 7 HR, 31 RBI and an .802 OPS.

SS Crawford, 21.5: 25 Gms., 112 PA, a .189 Avg., a .297 OBP, a .232 SLG, a .042 ISO, a .237 BABIP, 0 HR, 6 RBI, a .529 OPS, 14 BB and 20 SO.

C Knapp, 24.5: 51 Gms., 209 PA, a .267 Avg., a .340 OBP, a .439 SLG, a .171 ISO, a .319 BABIP, 7 HR, 27 RBI and a .778 OPS.

Double-A Hitting:

SS Crawford, 21.5: 36 Gms., 166 PA, a .265 Avg., a .398 OBP, a .390 SLG, a .125 ISO, a .295 BABIP, 3 HR, 13 RBI, a .787 OPS, 30 BB and 21 SO.

*CF Quinn, 23: 49 Gms., 229 PA, a .289 Avg., a .360 OBP, a .422 SLG, a .132 ISO, a .376 BABIP, 3 HR, 16 RBI, a .781 OPS, 25 SB, 6 CS and a 9.4 Spd.

C Alfaro, 23: 41 Gms., 186 PA, a .301 Avg., a .314 OBP, a .472 SLG, a .170 ISO, a .351 BABIP, 6 HR, 34 RBI and a .785 OPS.

.

.

Storyline Revisted is different from the original in many ways.

How could the Phillies have the oldest nickname while some called them the Blue Jays too? Both articles have a link to the other.

.

Newcomers:

In my opinion, the articles here represent the thinking of a front-office baseball man and occasionally non-playing field personnel. Reading people is the answer to their decisions: past, present and future. Also, the humanizing element highlights their successes, challenges and pitfalls regarding mental, emotional, and physical factors.

There will be a published Storyline and/or Red Alert every 7-14 days. Storyline features multiple stars and Red Alert highlights a specific player.

The Most Visited Articles:

Recently, these three are the most popular. Click the archives for Tal Venada for all other reviews.

Storyline: June’s Expectations for the Phillies

Storyline: Reinforcements for the Phillies

Storyline: Why the Phillies Are Winning

Storyline: June’s Expectations for the Phillies

Storyline: May’s Expectations for the Phillies

Storyline: April’s Expectations for the Phillies

This article is still relevant for now and the entire season due to its segmented approach to 2016. See what’s ahead for May through September. Yes, the title and format had to be uniform, but the difference is an outside-the-box method for something unique.

The updated publication date of this review was June 18, 2016. If this is not a recent date, check my author archives for my latest piece at Tal Venada.

Notification for Storyline and Red Alert:

If you want to receive a personal message per article,

tweet me or you can Follow @Tals_Storylines

If you would like to receive an e-mail for each new published article regarding the Philadelphia Phillies, please, fill out our email notification form.