Fansided

2016 MLB season: NL East Preview

By Josh Barnhill

Mar 18, 2016; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) connects for an RBI double during a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) connects for an RBI double during a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Mar 21, 2016; Lakeland, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) works out prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Lakeland, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) works out prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are in rebuild mode like the Braves, but maybe not to that extent. They still have some good pieces on the big league club that should keep them out of the cellar of the NL East.

Projected Lineup

LF Peter Bourjos
2B Cesar Hernandez
CF Odubel Herrera
3B Maikel Franco
1B Ryan Howard
C Cameron Rupp
SS Freddy Galvis
RF Tyler Goeddel

Aaron Nola is an emerging star at the top of their rotation now that Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee are gone. The rest of the rotation is a far cry from when Roy Halladay, Hamels and Lee were in the fold.

Projected Rotation

RHP Jeremy Hellickson
RHP Aaron Nola
RHP Charlie Morton
RHP Vincent Velasquez
RHP Jerad Eickhoff

Offensively, the Phillies still have Ryan Howard who hasn’t been nearly the same player in his 30s as he was in his 20s, but he’s still good for 20+ home runs per year. Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and the rest are all gone and made way for names like Cesar Hernadez and Freddy Galvis.

Third baseman Maikel Franco and center fielder Odubel Herrara are good players who will man the heart of the Phillies order. Both players are under 25 and should be with the franchise for a while.

This team doesn’t have the pitching to contend right now, but they may hit their way to some wins. There are reinforcements coming, which should help them out in the future, but they aren’t as promising as the Braves have. Once this season becomes a lost cause, more trades may happen to accumulate even more talent in the farm system.

Next: Miami Marlins

Home/Atlanta Braves