Extreme Philly Sports Forum

The problem continues to be the Phillies lack of developing homegrown talent. Overpaying for stiffs offseason after offseason because there is no internal option that is better.

They'll be paying Castellanos, Walker & Garcia a combined $48M in 2026. That's not a great allocation of payroll resources.

This LA kid they just signed may be their best effort in ages down there.    I’ve got a sneaky feeling that Renteria is the elite outfield LA prospect we’ve been waiting for for like 40 years
I literally cannot remember the Phillies’ last 60 grade position prospect (maybe Dom Brown was at some point? I think maybe Scott Rolen was?)

Francisco Renteria…..6’3″, 200 LBs….Hit: 60 | Power: 65 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 60 | Overall: 60
Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Renteria has been a longtime participant on the travel ball scene since a young age. Evaluators have pointed to those experiences and his maturity as positive marks in his favor as he gets his professional career underway. At just 15 years old, Renteria went 8-for-28 with three doubles – collecting hits off two former big leaguers – during a stint in the Venezuelan Major League this summer. He trains extensively with César Suárez at CJ Baseball Academy, a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program. Renteria earned comparisons from one evaluator to Konnor Griffin, the Pirates’ 2024 first-round pick who ascended to No. 1 overall prospect status in his first year of pro ball. Others see even more in the tank for Renteria’s right-handed hit tool due to his advanced offensive approach and considerable bat speed. He’s presently a contact monster, which when coupled with his excellent understanding of the strike zone and his plus-plus raw power, leads to him having one of the highest offensive upsides in the 2026 international class.

The current Collective Bargaining Agreement ends December 2, 2026.

A  MLB lockout is a strong possibility for the 2027 season.   

The  small marker owners seemingly are more united in seeking a salary cap than in past years.

It looks like Rogers is playing the deferral game like Walters does.

 It’s not really $210 million. With deferrals, it’s more like $182 million over seven years ($26 million per year), which puts him in line with one of his best comps, Carlos Rodón of the Yankees. He has been healthy 5 years in a row. 

Zolecki is only 50 but looks much older.  Blue around your eyes is often caused by the thin skin in that area, making it easy to see the bluish color of deoxygenated blood. Common culprits include lack of sleep, aging, allergies, and genetics.

Hettiger as a 2029 starting catcher is a lot of projection by Norris, but possible.    He did make it to AA this year ( 6 or 7  games).


He is a solidly built switch hitter,  who   has some swing and hit tool concerns.  He looks like he should stick at the position and has enough power to have offensive upside.  Good power from the right side.

Hettiger is still a work in progress behind the plate. . His receiving and blocking are still developing, and scouts have noted that while he sets up well, his consistency and framing need refinement.   


Hettiger or Ferrebusis could be possible backup catchers in 2028 or 29.

I would think Alirio Ferrebusis  is ahead of Hettiger as a potential future starting catcher, but he  is really getting fat  like Tait.

The Astros were a better team in 22, but the Phillies would have won in 23 with a competent manager.  Thomson makes too many critical  mistakes in close games against good teams.   He should have been fired then.

I see your buddy Jackoff has stopped trying to shove his troll nonsense down everyone ones throat about Thomson being a god who invented baseball.  He is only interested in chasing posters away.

Sleepy head  needs  to rearrange the order so Harper gets a chance to hit with some protection behind him.   JT  is too easy an out, swinging at everything out of the zone right now.

 I’m a firm believer that Schwarber sees a lot of mistake pitches in the zone because guys see Bryce on the on-deck circle. He saw one fastball last night and hit it hard for an out; he’s never going to see any fastballs with a base open, and he’s going to get IBB’d at every opportunity. The lack of right handed power behind him and Harper  still constitutes the biggest issue in the lineup. Either flip Bryce and Schwarber or move Bohm to cleanup for his contact ability