Here’s the latest from around the NL East…
- Phillies manager Pete Mackanin told reporters (including MLB.com’s Cody Stavenhagen) that he will give first baseman Tommy Joseph more starts against right-handed pitching. “We brought Joseph up here for a reason, to get a look at him, and I can’t let him stagnate on the bench…so he’s going to face some right-handed pitchers to keep his timing,” Mackanin said. Of course, this would cut into the playing time for veteran Ryan Howard, who said he hadn’t been consulted about sitting against righties. Joseph has hit well in his first taste of the majors while Howard has struggled mightily (a .564 OPS in 151 PA). The first base situation has been the subject of much debate in Philadelphia, as while logic would dictate that the younger and better-performing Joseph would get more starts, Howard is a franchise legend likely in his final year as a Phillie.
- Jeff Francoeur was considering retirement if he didn’t land a Major League contract last winter, though after signing a minors deal to rejoin the Braves, the outfielder tells David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he’s looking forward to playing several more years in a reserve role. Francoeur admits it took some time for him to fully accept being a part-timer, though he sees the benefits in extending his career as a platooner and mentor to younger players. With an .866 OPS in 61 PA against southpaws this season, “Frenchy” is helping the rebuilding Braves both on the field and in the clubhouse, and he hopes to continue playing in Atlanta.
- Marlins pitching prospect Luis Castillo is turning some heads in high-A ball, Baseball America’s Walter Villa writes. The 23-year-old righty was acquired by the Fish as part of the December 2014 trade that sent Casey McGehee to the Giants, and Castillo has since transitioned from reliever to starter with strong results. Castillo has a 2.13 ERA, 7.5 K/9 and a 6.00 K/BB rate over 50 2/3 innings this season, with a fastball that has topped the 100-mph mark and averages in the 96-97mph range.
- In NL East news from earlier today, the Braves inked veteran righty Dale Thayer to a minor league deal.
If the Marlins get something good for Casey McGehee then that’s a major win. McGehee was dreadful last season. If Castillo is good then Giants got fleeced
lol @ Howard not being consulted. You’re hitting .154, you don’t deserve to be consulted at that rate.
Frenchy isn’t getting years more as a reserve/mentor. Dream on….enjoy 2016.
Don’t underestimate how much the Braves love him. I wouldn’t be shocked if he eked out a year or two more with them as the 4th / 5th OF / pinch hitter.
Agreed, Francouer has hit pretty well this year and is a great clubhouse guy
No reason he couldn’t. If he wants to hang on in a reserve role for a couple million a year, they could do worse.
Questions for Phils’ fans: Is Joseph up to stay? What numbers will he put up?
Well… I can say … he will hit for a higher AVG than howard. Hard to say, he was raking in AAA, He was considered a top hitting catching prospect before concusions kept derailing his career. Its a feel good story. I’d say he should hit .275 with 20 dingers on the low side… on the high side, you are looking at 30ish HRs with .290ish avg. More than likely, he’s somwhere in the middle. He is pretty much a surpruse to be honest, and at a great time. He’ll get a legit shot to show what he can and can’t do.