Less than a week to go until spring training kicks off, and the Inquirer has a great preview. I'm looking out for a few things over the coming weeks, and some of this is in line with Andy Martino's take in the Inq's coverage.
I want to see evidence that Cole Hamels actually has a workable slider/cut fastball that he's reportedly going to work on, or even just an effective curveball. I don't want to see him add another pitch like his curveball last year: a pitch he technically has in his repertoire but pretty much only used to say "See? I have more than 2 pitches, I promise."
I want to see an exciting competition for our fifth starter spot between Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick (and possibly Drew Carpenter and whoever else can make it into that conversation). I don't want to see a competition that leaves the Phillies feel like they have to take the least weak pitcher out of an unexciting crop.
It would also be nice to see some of the outfield prospects we have, like Domonic Brown, Tyson Gillies, and Anthony Gose, show some real potential to step in for Jayson Werth in case we have to lose him to free agency in a year. I'm especially looking at you, #1 prospect Domonic Brown. Time to show a glimpse of that untouchable status.
In general, I'm just looking forward to that great feeling of baseball in the air again. Other people have observed this, but Philly certainly has high expectations of its baseball team these days, as well we should. Those expectations made absorbing the Eagles' failure against the Cowboys a little easier back in January. When you hear people in Philadelphia follow a pretty rough football loss with "well, when are pitchers and catchers?", it's hard not to feel like the sports winds have shifted. Time to get in gear for another exciting season.
Check out the whole Inquirer spring training guide here.
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