Sports and Rants with Brett and Pants : June 2015

With the 3rd Pick in the NBA Draft the Sixers select.... Jahlil Okafor. There is no doubt about it that Jahlil Okafor was the best player on the board when the Sixers pick came up. Once again it was the Embiid situation, do you pick the best guy available or do you take the position that you need. Sam Hinkie and the Sixers went with Okafor. Which is now making many people including experts scratching their heads. If you turn on NBA TV there is one thing everyone is talking about, and that is who will be traded from the Sixers big three. As someone from the outside looking in it can be very confusing.

The question on everyone’s mind is how is this going to work out, and who will play where. Well, folks the first issue before we even get there is whether or not Joel Embiid will play next season. Embiid was a huge risk when he was drafted and many experts said he would play for the Sixers. However, this is now looking like a question mark. If the Sixers want to be successful they will need Joel Embiid on the court for them. Now the newest problem, that is on Brett Brown is figuring out how to work with the three bigs in Philadelphia. When you have three unbelievable talents like Okafor, Embiid, and Noel you are set in the middle. However, the problem that faces Brett Brown is figuring out how to play all three at the same time. This issue may be almost impossible to solve.

In reality the only one that could play the 3 would be Noel. At the end of last season it became apparent that the Sixers started working with Noel on his game away from the middle. Noel is also the fastest of the three bigs, which is another positive. If you watched any college basketball last season you would know how talented Okafor is and how he will impact the Sixers in the future. There is no doubt he has the ability to control the middle and can score with his back to the basket. The last player of the big three is the wild card Joel Embiid. Embiid has a nice shot and can control the middle as well, but the question is will he stay healthy and will he be able to work with these other guys. However, it may or may not work and only time will tell.

Brett Brown is faced with a good problem. The Sixers have drafted the three best players in the past three years. All three of these guys were predicted at one point to be the 1^st pick in the draft, and to be the most impactful player. However, it is now going to be a waiting game to see if it can work. Having three guys with their ability is a good thing, however they may not work together. The next step is whether or not Sam Hinkie is going to make a deal to bring in a true guard.

-Brett

Well, it is apparent that the Phillies season is for the most part over. The team has truly proven nothing this season. Every piece of the team has failed and they seem to lack talent all around. Ryne Sandberg seems to not have a hold on this team, and tempers seem to be flaring. The latest move that the Phillies have made is bringing Dominic Brown back up from the minors and sending down Darin Ruf. The Phillies will make more moves in the upcoming weeks, including most likely the moving of Cole Hamels. With continued struggles from members of this team it can now be seen that it is officially time to start over, to build from the bottom up. The question is however, what pieces if any are worth keeping.

Management:

It is time to get rid of Ryne Sandberg and Rueben Amaro Jr. At this point in the season, it is clear that Sandberg has no control of the team. Ryne Sandberg’s whole baseball philosophy is to preach fundamentals, however it can be seen the Phillies completely lack that. RAJ should be moved due to the fact that every move that he has made has been the wrong one.

Starting Pitchers:

None of them… Let’s be honest none of these guys have been productive this season. Cole Hamels can pitch; he is the only one that is truly good. The rest of the staff is for the most part serviceable 4 or 5 starters. Hamels should be moved for younger guys that could help put together a good team in the future. If the Phillies could move Hamels for a top-pitching prospect this team could have a bright future. Scouts seem to think as of right now Aaron Nola is an ace; however, it will be a waiting game.

Bullpen:

When looking at the bullpen it is obvious which guys the Phillies should keep around. The first and main guy is Ken Giles. There is no doubt that Kenny Giles has been the Phillies biggest piece in their bullpen. Though his velocity is down this season, he has proven to everyone that he knows how to pitch. This was a big step for Giles considering many people thought he was only a gunner. Another guy the Phillies should keep around is Elvis Araujo, this kid knows how to pitch. At only 23 he has proven he can get out any major league hitter, and he has great stuff. These two guys have proven that they know how to pitch and are young enough to be around when the Phillies become good again.

Infield:

When looking at the Phillies infield they really have nothing that is worth keeping. The Phillies need to start focusing on the future; they need to start putting together a younger infield. Franco has been the only impressive player. He has proven that he knows how to make changes, and I would continue to let this player grow as a hitter. Ryan Howard has been productive this season, even if fans don’t want to admit it. Howard is giving the team exactly what is expected and when it is all said and done, he will end the season with 30 homeruns. But, when it comes down to it he is too old to stay on this squad. Howard may however be moved for some lower level prospects that could help build the team for the future. The rest of the infielders have not done enough to show it is worth keeping them on the roster. Sadly, Chase Utley has not been able to hit this season. It is time that Chase Utley hangs up the cleats. Utley is not the only infielder not producing at the plate; the entire team has been a joke this season.

Outfield:

There are only two guys I would keep around in the outfield, and it is completely based off their young ages. Cody Asche and Odubel Herrera have not really proven anything with the bat. Both guys are under the age of 25, and may have upside. I have not been impressed with either guy at the plate. They are not pure hitters nor have they shown power or any ability to get on base. But, I would let these guys play and see what they can give me. If they don’t provide the team what they want, then they should be shipped off. These two players may have a bright future, and will be around when the young guys in the minors come up. Production may follow for these guys, but we have to wait and see.

Let’s be fair this team has not shown fans much. The team should in reality just call up the Reading Fightin’s and let them play. When it comes down to the dog days of summer, there may be no fans showing up to games. Let's hope the Phillies can turn into the Astros eventually.

-Brett