Showing posts with label 2022. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2022. Show all posts

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Game 39 - Impressive, Unexpected Comeback Bid Falls Short

Colorado Rockies  9 
Philadelphia Phillies  7 
11 Innings

2022 Topps Heritage #523
Friday Night, May 8th
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA
17-22, Tied for 3rd Place, 9 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Trailing 6-0 after five innings, the Phillies would tie up this ballgame late, only to fall in 11 innings to the Rockies.

What It Means:  The four-game winning streak is a distant memory and the Phillies will try to break the two-game losing streak tonight.

What Happened:  Jesus Luzardo continued his inconsistent season, falling victim once again to one bad inning.  Cruising through three innings after allowing a first inning run, Luzardo couldn't retire a batter in the fourth and he was chased from the game having allowed six runs on six hits, three walks and a wild pitch.  A Kyle Schwarber solo home run (his 13th for the season and 200th with the Phillies) and a J.T. Realmuto RBI double made it a 6-2 game after six innings.  The Phillies stormed back with five runs in the eighth to tie the score, with the big hits being Bryson Stott's two-run double and Justin Crawford's two-run home run.  It was Crawford's first in the  majors.

Featured Card:  Jhoan Duran, Jose Alvarado and Orion Kerkering worked a scoreless 8th, 9th and 10th innings.  Brad Keller was in instant trouble in the 11th, eventually allowing two runs to score.  Keller, who was viewed as the set-up man for Jhoan Duran when he was signed, hasn't been impressive so far this season.  He's had four clean appearances (no baserunners) out of his 17 total relief appearances.

Transaction:  Dylan Moore (inf-of) cleared waivers and was outrighted to Lehigh Valley.

2026 Virtual Phillies Wall (Coming Soon) / 2026 Season Summary Index 2026 Chachi Set Checklist

Monday, April 6, 2026

Game 9 - Moniak, Lack of Phillies Offense Leads to Loss

Philadelphia Phillies  1 
Colorado Rockies  4 

2022 Philadelphia Phillies Photocards
Sunday Afternoon, April 5th
Coors Field - Denver, CO
5-4, 4th Place, 1 game behind the Marlins

One Sentence Summary:  Mickey Moniak homered twice and Taijuan Walker suffered through another rough first inning in this 4-1 loss to the Rockies on Easter Sunday.

What It Means:  The Phillies took two out of three in Denver, and head to San Francisco next for a late night set against the Giants.

What Happened:  Walker's ERA is up to an unsightly 9.31 after two starts, as he allowed four runs overall in his five innings of work.  The Rockies were quickly up 3-0 in the first, with their scoring started by Moniak's first home run of the day.  Another former Phillies' prospect, TJ Rumfield, connected for a two-run home run later in the inning.  The only offense from the Phillies came from Adolis Garcia, who hit a solo home run in the second.  Moniak's second solo shot came in the bottom of the fifth.

Featured Card:  A first round draft pick and a highly touted prospect, Moniak played in only 47 games for the Phillies between 2020 and 2022, yet I have 48 cards of his in my Phillies collection.  It seems he's found a good home in Denver with the Rockies, as he's had a regular outfield job with the club the last two seasons.  He batted .270 last year, attaining career highs in home runs (24) and RBIs (68).

Rumfield didn't appear on any Phillies minor league cards during his time with the organization.

2026 Virtual Phillies Wall (Coming Soon) / 2026 Season Summary Index 2026 Chachi Set Checklist

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Spring Training Game 26 - Phils Show Pop Against Rays

Tampa Bay Rays  2 
Philadelphia Phillies  8 

2022 Topps Chrome
Platinum Anniversary #348
Spring Training Game 26
Thursday Afternoon, March 19th
BayCare Ballpark - Clearwater, FL
Record - 10-15-1

One Sentence Summary:  Adolis Garcia, Bryson Stott and Otto Kemp all homered in this 8-2 win over the Rays, supporting a solid outing from the Phillies bullpen.

What It Means:  This was a rare spring game not broadcast on the radio at all by either team.  I spent a lot of time driving on Thursday afternoon, and I was bummed I couldn't listen to any of this game.

What Happened:  A planned bullpen game, Tim Mayza and Zach Pop pitched the first four scoreless innings for the Phillies.  Jose Alvarado gave up the only Rays' runs - two solo home runs in the fifth inning.  Stott has been hot all spring, and his two hits on the day raised his spring average to .364.  Kemp had an RBI-single in the second to go along with his big three-run home run in the sixth.

Featured Card:  Why not show off a shiny Pop card?

Camp Head Count:  45 - 5 = 40

The moves are coming fast and furious now.  Prior to the game, Seth Johnson (rhp) was optioned to the IronPigs.  Tucker Davidson (lhp), Paul McIntosh (c), Rene Pinto (c) and Bryse Wilson (rhp) were all reassigned to minor league camp.

Sunday, March 1, 2026

Spring Training Game 9 - Phils Can't Stop Jays in Dunedin

Philadelphia Phillies  5 
Toronto Blue Jays  7 

2022 Topps #22
Spring Training Game 9
Saturday Afternoon, February 28th
TD Ballpark - Dunedin, FL
Record - 3-5-1

One Sentence Summary:  Cristopher Sanchez looked ready to start the season, but the Phillies couldn't overcome a late rally from the Blue Jays in this 7-5 loss.

What It Means:  Sure I had to work most of the morning and early afternoon, but it was great to have all four of us under one roof as this game was televised.  Our oldest son is home from college for spring break and our youngest was toiling away in his room on a school project.  While our country and the rest of the world continues to make zero sense, at least everything was in its right place on the home front for an afternoon.

What Happened:  Sanchez pitched two scoreless innings, allowing a pair of hits and striking out four.  Brad Keller and Tim Mayza allowed the Blue Jays to do the most damage, with Keller allowing two runs in the third and Mayza giving up four runs (two earned) in the sixth.  Justin Crawford continued to impress with two more hits, including a double.  Before departing for the World Baseball Classic, Bryce Harper hit a solo home run in the fifth.

Featured Card:  Bryan De La Cruz has an outside chance to make the club as a bench player, and he went 2 for 2 in this game with a second inning solo home run off Blue Jays' starter Dylan Cease.  This is his rookie card from the 2022 Topps set.

Camp Head Count:  69

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Phillies Announce 27 Spring Training Non-Roster Invitees

2020 Topps Update - 1985 Topps
Baseball Chrome #CPC-39
2022 Topps #624
 
2023 Topps Update #US312
 
2020 Topps Heritage #173
 
2024 Topps Update #US45
 

As we prepare to be buried in several feet of snow, it was a pleasant surprise to see a press release from the Phillies on Friday afternoon with the names of 27 non-roster invitees.  There were 26 players announced a year ago, a week earlier than this year, on January 14th.

Here's a look at the 27 non-roster invitees, their 2025 organizations and an example of a recently released mainstream baseball card.  Phillies' management has already announced their intention to give Justin Crawford every opportunity to win the starting center fielder's job.
  1. Genesis Cabrera (lhp) - Mets / Cubs / Pirates / Twins - 2021 Topps Now Road to Opening Day Cardinals #OD-370
  2. Tucker Davidson (lhp) - Brewers - 2022 Topps #624
  3. Tim Mayza (lhp) - Pirates / Phillies - 2024 Topps Update #US203
  4. Andrew Walling (lhp) - Phillies - 2025 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (Series 3) #30
  5. Andrew Bechtold (rhp) - Phillies - 2025 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (Series 3) #3
  6. Jonathan Hernandez (rhp) - Rays - 2023 Topps Update #US312
  7. Michael Mercado (rhp) - Phillies - 2025 Topps #582
  8. Trevor Richards (rhp) - Cubs / Royals / Diamondbacks - 2020 Topps Heritage #173
  9. Bryse Wilson (rhp) - White Sox - 2024 Topps Update #US45
  10. Kehden Hettiger (c) - Phillies - 2025 Choice Jersey Shore BlueClaws #4
  11. Mark Kolozsvary (c) - Red Sox - 2022 Topps Heritage #511
  12. Paul McIntosh (c) - Phillies - 2025 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (Series 3) #22
  13. Rene Pinto (c) - Diamondbacks / Blue Jays - 2024 Topps Update #US107
  14. Caleb Ricketts (c) - Phillies - 2025 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (Series 3) #28
  15. Keaton Anthony (inf) - Phillies - 2025 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #8
  16. Christian Cairo (inf) - Guradians - 2019 Bowman Draft #BD-195
  17. Carson DeMartini (inf) - Phillies - 2025 Topps Pro Debut #PD-152
  18. Aroon Escobar (inf) - Phillies - 2025 Choice Clearwater Threshers #11
  19. Aidan Miller (inf) - Phillies - 2025 Topps Pro Debut #PD-113
  20. Liover Peguero (inf) - Pirates - 2025 Topps Now #504
  21. Bryan Rincon (inf) - Phillies - 2025 Jersey Shore BlueClaws #6
  22. Jose Rodriguez (inf) - Phillies - 2025 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (Series 3) #29
  23. Dylan Campbell (of) - Phillies - 2025 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (Series 3) #7
  24. Justin Crawford (of) - Phillies - 2025 Topps Pro Debut Ballpark Promos #BP-7
  25. Bryan De La Cruz (of) - Braves / Yankees - 2025 Topps Update #US234
  26. Dante Nori (of) - Phillies - 2025 Topps Pro Debut #PD-59
  27. Felix Reyes (inf-of) - Phillies - 2025 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (Series 3) #27
2022 Topps Heritage #511
2024 Topps Update #US107
2019 Bowman Draft #BD-195
2025 Topps Now #504
2025 Topps Update #US234
2025 Choice Reading Fightin Phils
(Series 3) #3
2025 Choice Jersey Shore
BlueClaws #4
2025 Choice Reading
Fightin Phils #8
2025 Topps Pro Debut #PD-152
 
2025 Choice Clearwater
Threshers #11

Monday, March 24, 2025

Spring Training Game 29 - Exhibition Season is Rounding Third and Heading Home

Detroit Tigers  2 
Philadelphia Phillies  4 

2022 Topps
Kansas City Royals #KC-16
Spring Training Game 29
Saturday Afternoon, March 23rd
BayCare Ballpark - Clearwater, FL
Record - 14-13-2

One Sentence Summary:  Bryson Stott hit a two-run, inside-the-park home run and later singled another run home in this 4-2 win over the Tigers.

What It Means:  At this point, the goal is for everyone heading north to remain healthy.  There's just one more game to go, Monday afternoon.

What Happened:  Stott rounded the bases in the fifth after a scary collision involving Tigers' outfielders Max Clark and Justyn-Henry Malloy.  Brandon Marsh accounted for the fourth run of the game, singling home Stott in the seventh.  Aaron Nola pitched five innings in his final spring appearance, allowing a solo home run and striking out four.  Jose Alvarado continued his dominant spring, striking out the side in the seventh.

Featured Card:  Following the game, the Phillies announced they had claimed Carlos Hernandez off waivers from the Royals and Hernandez is expected to join the team's bullpen for opening day.  In five seasons with the Royals, Hernandez was 7-19 with a 4.95 ERA in 150 games and 256 1/3 innings pitched.  He had 226 strikeouts, 125 walks and four saves.  As is the case with most middle relievers, Hernandez's baseball card appearances are sparse, and his most recent non-minor league card can be found in the 2022 Topps Royals retail team set.

Camp Head Count:  31 - 2 + 1 = 30

Before the game, Michael Mercado (rhp) was optioned to Lehigh Valley.  After the game, Tyler Phillips (rhp) was designated for assignment to make room for Hernandez (rhp), claimed off waivers.  It was also announced that Ranger Suarez (lhp) would begin the season on the injured list, and that Matt Strahm (lhp) would not.

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Spring Training Game 23 - Phils Lose, but Sanchez, Casty Look Strong

Philadelphia Phillies  2 
Pittsburgh Pirates  3 

2022 Topps Heritage 1973 Topps
Candy Lids #HN12
Spring Training Game 23
Tuesday Afternoon, March 18
LECOM Park - Bradenton, FL
Record - 11-10-2

One Sentence Summary:  Nick Castellanos hit a home run and Crisotpher Sanchez pitched five scoreless innings, but the Phillies' bullpen faltered late in this 3-2 loss to the Pirates.

What It Means:  This game had a typical spring road game line-up, and definitely not the usual back-end of the bullpen relievers closing it out.

What Happened:  Spring training statistics mean nothing, but Castellanos has to feel good after his two hit day, which raised his spring average to .167.  He hit a solo home run in the first and added an RBI-single int he sixth to score Carson DeMartini.  Sanchez allowed four hits and struck out a pair in his outing, with Jose Alvarado and Orion Kerkering shutting down the Pirates for 2 1/3 innings.  Kerkering struck out three.  The bullpen duo of Devin Sweet and Josh Hejka gave up the 2-0 lead in the ninth.  Sweet  gave up a single, double and two straight sacrifice flies to allow the Pirates to tie the game.  Hejka then allowed a walk-off home run to Javier Rivas to give the Pirates the win.

Featured Card:  Here's an oddball insert card of Castellanos I recently added, from the 2022 Topps Heritage set.  I'm hoping for big things from the slugger this season.

Camp Head Count:  41

Friday, February 28, 2025

Spring Training Game 5 - Wheeler Deals in First Spring Start

New York Yankees  7 
Philadelphia Phillies  7 

2022 Topps #582
Spring Training Game 5
Thursday Afternoon, February 27
BayCare Ballpark - Clearwater, FL
Record - 2-2-1

One Sentence Summary:  Zack Wheeler looked solid in his first spring start, and Kyle Schwarber made his Phillies debut at first base as the team played to a 7-7 tie against the Yankees in Clearwater.

What It Means:  Schwarber played 10 games at first base in 2021 for the Red Sox, and his only other action at the position came in one game for the Cubs in 2017.  The added versatility can't hurt, and if Schwarber is serviceable at first, that gives Bryce Harper the opportunity to DH in some games.

What Happened:  Wheeler allowed a hit and struck out four in his two shutout innings.  Jose Alvarado and Jordan Romano both looked great out of the bullpen, each striking out a pair in their innings of work.  The Phillies held a 6-3 tie heading to the eighth, but the Yankees scored four times off reliever Max Lazar.    In the bottom of the ninth, Oscar Mercado was hit by a pitch with two outs, stole second and eventually scored after Yankees' pitcher Cade Austin issued three straight walks.

Johan Rojas and Rafael Lantigua both homered for the Phillies, while Edmundo Sosa and Christian Arroyo both had multi-hit afternoons.

Featured Card:  Wheeler or Schwarber would be good picks here, but I suspect they'll get plenty of Featured Card time during the regular season.  Arroyo could be a dark horse candidate to make the opening day roster, and so far this spring the infielder is 4 for 8 with a home run and three RBIs.

Camp Head Count:  66

Monday, February 17, 2025

Spring Training 2025: Non-Roster Invitees

2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils
(3rd Edition) #29
2022 Topps Heritage #656
 
2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils
(3rd Edition) #11
2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils
(3rd Edition) #33
2024 Choice Buffalo Bisons #8
 

In years' past, news of Phillies' non-roster invitees trickled in over the weeks and months leading to the opening of spring training.  This year, the Phillies gave us one big press release on January 14th announcing 23 non-roster invitees, and they's added three more names to the list since then.

Here's a look at the 26 non-roster invitees opening camp with the Phillies, their 2024 organizations and one of the more recently available baseball cards.
  1. Josh Breaux (c) - Yankees / Phillies - 2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (3rd Edition) #29
  2. Payton Henry (c) - Blue Jays - 2024 Choice Buffalo Bisons #5
  3. Paul McIntosh (c) - Marlins - 2024 Choice Pensacola Blue Wahoos #17
  4. Caleb Ricketts (c) - Phillies - 2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (3rd Edition) #11
  5. Rodolfo Castro (inf) - Phillies - 2023 Topps Heritage #453
  6. Otto Kemp (inf) - Phillies - 2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (3rd Edition) #33
  7. Rafael Lantigua (inf) - Blue Jays - 2024 Choice Buffalo Bisons #8
  8. Aidan Miller (inf) - Phillies - 2024 Topps Pro Debut #PD-31
  9. Carson Taylor (inf) - Phillies - 2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (3rd Edition) #7
  10. Justin Crawford (of) - Phillies - 2024 Topps Pro Debut #PD-124
  11. Gabriel Rincones Jr. (of) - Phillies - 2024 Topps Pro Debut #PD-54
  12. Matt Kroon (util) - Phillies - 2024 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #14
  13. Nabil Crismatt (rhp) - Dodgers / Rangers / Padres - 2023 Topps World Baseball Classic #17
  14. Jose Cuas (rhp) - Cubs / Blue Jays / Phillies - 2024 Topps Heritage #151
  15. Joel Kuhnel (rhp) - Astros / Blue Jays / Brewers / Rays - 2020 Topps Update #U-281
  16. Griff McGarry (rhp) - Phillies - 2024 Topps Pro Debut #PD-16
  17. John McMillon (rhp) - Royals / Marlins - 2024 Topps #571
  18. Nicholas Padilla (rhp) - White Sox - 2024 Choice Charlotte Knights #16
  19. Andrew Painter (rhp) - Phillies - 2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (3rd Edition) #37
  20. Austin Schulfer (rhp) - Twins / Tigers - 2023 Choice St. Paul Saints SGA
  21. Guillo Zuniga (rhp) - Angels - 2023 Topps Now World Baseball Classic #WBC-22
  22. Tristan Garnett (lhp) - Phillies - 2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils (3rd Edition) #20
  23. Nick Vespi (lhp) - Orioles - 2024 Choice Norfolk Tides #39
  24. Koyo Aoyagi (rhp) - Hanshin Tigers - 2024 Topps NPB #78
  25. Christian Arroyo (inf) - Brewers - 2023 Topps #352
  26. Oscar Mercado (of) - Padres / Tigers - 2024 Choice El Paso Chihuahuas #17
Aoyagi signed a minor league deal with the Phillies on January 17th, and he's a veteran of nine seasons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league.  Aoyagi was a an All-Star in Japan in 2019, 2021 and 2022.

On Valentine's Day, the Phillies officially signed Christian Arroyo (inf) and Oscar Mercado (of) to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training.  Arroyo has spent seven seasons in the majors as a back-up infielder with the Giants, Rays, Indians and Red Sox.  Mercado, who played in one game for the Phillies in 2022, was most recently in the majors with the Cardinals in 2023.

2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils
(3rd Edition) #7
2024 Topps Pro Debut #PD-54
 
2024 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs #14
2024 Topps Heritage #151
 
2020 Topps Update #U-281
 
2024 Topps #571
 
2024 Choice Reading Fightin Phils
(3rd Edition) #20
2023 Topps Chrome
Platinum Anniversary #91
2023 Topps NPB #105
 
2023 Topps #352
 

Friday, February 14, 2025

2025 Topps - The First Phillie!


I didn't hesitate earlier this year when the e-mail from Topps arrived in my inbox alerting me that boxes of 2025 Topps Series One were on sale from their website.  I've missed out in the past, having to go to the secondary market (eBay) and paying an upcharge when the need to open new baseball cards inevitably overpowered me in prior Februarys.  I didn't go crazy, adding just a hobby box and a blaster to my cart, and then waiting patiently for the February 12th release date.

The box was waiting for me when I arrived home on Wednesday, but sports practices required us to wait until Thursday to open the first packs of 2025 Topps as a family.  The first Phillie, this Alec Bohm card, came quickly within the first pack I opened.

Topps has been on a roll over the past several years, and with the exception of the misfire with 2020's design, the 2025 Topps design adds to four solid set designs in the past five years.  Updating my top ten gallery below, the 2025 set takes the place of the 2015 set in the #2 spot, with 2015 leaving the list after 10 years (!).  I've used this summary in the past to describe the new Topps flagship design, but this is what a baseball card in the year 2025 should look like - crisp, great photo, modern graphics, some non-intrusive glittery effects and a little bit of silver foil with the Topps logo.  I really like that we get the team's logo and name going up the side of a card, and the curved lines along the left border are a nice modern update to the 1982 Topps design.


We were particularly impressed with how Topps found a new way to display the player's position.  The diamond in the bottom right indicates where the player would stand on the field, and it's one of those things I can't believe we've not seen on a baseball card before.  The backs are nice and clean too, as has been the case in recent years, and kudos to Topps for once again making the card number easy to find and easy to read.  My only very minor complaint is that some of the teams have player's last names in black (not white) making those harder to read.  I would have preferred Topps go with all white for every last name for each team.

Revisiting my top ten ranking below, I might move 2022 and 2019 ahead of 2023.  I still don't like the bottom three, but 2021 may eventually take over the worst design spot in my mind.

Best - 2024 Topps #194
#2 - 2025 Topps #7
#3 - 2023 Topps #278
#4 - 2022 Topps #249
#5 - 2019 Topps #303
#6 - 2016 Topps #15
#7 - 2018 Topps #26
#8 - 2021 Topps #79
#9 - 2017 Topps #247
Worst - 2020 Topps #221

2025 Topps #7 Alec Bohm