We like our phenoms to be finished products, ready to contribute at the highest level as soon as they arrive on the scene. Tiger Woods won his first Masters as a professional. Fred Lynn won the MVP in his rookie season. Bobby Fischer was a grandmaster at 15. Everyone wants the next awesome thing, that shiny new toy that works like magic right out of the box. Sure, maybe that toy will be Steven Strasburg or Mark Prior and break after a few uses, but we all remember that immediate gratification of them showing up and, for a fleeting moment, being everything we hoped they would.
Sometimes though, that new toy has some assembly required. What's worse, the learning curve might be a little higher, requiring some patience. We wished for it to come, but when it arrived, we found it frustrating. More frustrating than a complete lemon - with a bust, you can just throw it to the side, disappointed, but accepting that it was just no good. Not like the assembly-required, hundreds of hours of practice toy. That will make you work, trying to get the most out of it. Some nights you'll just want to throw it to the floor, or maybe AAA, in frustration. In the end though, when that patience is rewarded, it's such a rewarding feeling.
So, I think you know where I'm going with this.
In 2008, Jay Bruce was the #1 prospect in baseball. In 2011, Jay Bruce leads the National League in HR, RBI and TB through the first two months. Reds' fans, consider yourselves rewarded.
A little background: In 2005, Bruce was the #12 overall pick in the MLB draft, and signed fairly quickly, spending the rest of that year and the next hitting reasonably well in the low minor. In 2007, he broke out, tearing through three levels at a .319/.375/.587 clip, landing in AAA Louisville, at the top of several prospect lists, and drawing favorable comparisons with Larry Walker, for what seemed like a flawless all-around game.
Bruce made his debut on May 27, 2008, and for his first 18 games hit a robust .382/.468/.632, much to the enjoyment of long-suffering Reds fans. Then, the Bruce slipped to .229/.282/.417 for the last 90 games, striking out 98 times in only 393 PA. His final line .254/.314/.453 was hardly an embarrassment for a 21 year old - the #1 pick in the 2008 draft, David Price, rightly considered a phenom, was 19 months older than Bruce - but he was clearly not the ready-out-of-the-box superstar that the Reds were hoping for.
In 2009, Bruce saw incremental improvements to his power, walk rates and strikeout rates, but a disturbing drop in batting average due to a .221 BABIP, leading to a .223/.303/.470 season line. Bruce also played in only 18 games after fracturing his wrist on July 11th.
2010 brought more improvement. Bruce's HR rate actually fell slightly, but his walk rate continued to rise, and that BABIP corrected itself in a big way to .339. Beyond this offensive improvements, Bruce emerged as the NL's premier defensive RF. Defensive metrics can be tricky, but Bruce led all RF in both UZR and Range Factor, and his strong arm allowed him to add 7 assists and keep numerous runners from taking an extra base. Still, even with that great defense, a .281/.353/.493 line, with 25 HR and top 10 finishes in zero categories was hardly conjuring images of Larry Walker.
Maybe it should have. Now three years removed from his "top prospect" status, Bruce felt like an established veteran, so it was easy to forget that he had just finished his age 23 season, sporting a career .257/.327/.474 line. At the same age, Walker had a .234/.320/.408 career line. Walker "broke out" in 1992 with a line that wasn't a whole lot better than Bruce's 2010.
So here we are, the end of May 2011, and Jay Bruce has a .294/.358/.578, with the biggest boost coming in his increased home run rate. After spending his first three years homering once every 20.7 PA, Bruce is doing so every 14.2 PA this year. He's walking at his career rate, and striking out less often, as well. These improvements have allowed him to excel despite his BABIP falling back to .312. That .312 is well within the expected range for someone with Bruce's line drive rate, so there's little reason to thing that his improvement isn't sustainable.
In Larry Walker's MVP season, he hit .366/.452/.720. It's probably unfair to expect that from Jay Bruce, just as it would be unfair to expect it from Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, or Bryce Harper. Bruce is already one of the most valuable players in the National League, and is locked up for the next 7 years at a very reasonable $63M. If he continues to produce at his 2011 levels, that will be a great value for the Reds. If there is more improvement to be had (and he still is less than two months past his 24th birthday), it will surpass Evan Longoria's as the most team-friendly longterm deal in all of baseball.
(Aside - I mentioned Justin Upton in the paragraph above. Upton is still only 23 and has a career line of .271/.351/.473. Anyone who thinks the Diamondbacks need to trade him to improve is a fool. This probably deserved a post of its own this offseason when rumors were swirling about his being dealt, and I may get to it yet. Upton is even a better example than Bruce about unreasonable expectations hindering our appreciation of young players).
Long-term, there are two paths Bruce can take toward becoming an elite, MVP-level star. The first is to reduce that strikeout rate to less than one every 5 PA, because when he hits the ball, he hits it hard. His line drive/fly ball rates make it hard to see him delivering a BABIP lower than .300, and .330 would hardly be out of the picture). Of course, there have been Hall of Fame level players who have struck out at high rates - Reggie Jackson, Sammy Sosa, Jim Thome - but we're talking about guys with historically great power numbers. Which brings us to the second path - Bruce could get there, too - he's on pace for a 47 home run/348 total base season, and, not to belabor the point, he's only 24.
Whatever path Bruce takes, continue to enjoy the ride, Cincinnati fans. You've certainly been patient enough.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Minor League Marathon in Jupiter
Last night in at Roger Dean Stadium, the Jupiter Hammerheads outlasted the Clearwater Threshers for a 2-1 win in the 23rd inning.
According to the AP story, the paid attendance was 330, so I can't imagine too many people were there after midnight to see their Hammerheads walk off with the victory. Included among those not around to see the finish were Jupiter's manager Ron Hassey. Hassey, a long-time major leaguer, was ejected in the 14th inning along with 3B Chase Austin, for arguing balls and strikes. Jose Duarte replaced Austin at third.
Clearwater nearly broke the 1-1 tie in the 18th inning, when RF Ernesto Manzanillo threw Leandro Castro out at home when Castro was attempting to score from second base on a single by 1B Darin Ruf. Ruf would move over to the pitcher's mound in the 21st, where he dealt two scoreless innings.
In the 23rd, Jamie Ortiz led off with a single against Justin Friend, the Florida State League leader in saves. Miguel Fermin then sacrificed Ortiz over to second. Finally, at the 5 hour, 37 minute mark, Jose Duarte--the man who replaced ejected Chase Austin--singled home Jaime Ortiz.
The minorleaguebaseball.com complete recap is here.
According to the AP story, the paid attendance was 330, so I can't imagine too many people were there after midnight to see their Hammerheads walk off with the victory. Included among those not around to see the finish were Jupiter's manager Ron Hassey. Hassey, a long-time major leaguer, was ejected in the 14th inning along with 3B Chase Austin, for arguing balls and strikes. Jose Duarte replaced Austin at third.
Clearwater nearly broke the 1-1 tie in the 18th inning, when RF Ernesto Manzanillo threw Leandro Castro out at home when Castro was attempting to score from second base on a single by 1B Darin Ruf. Ruf would move over to the pitcher's mound in the 21st, where he dealt two scoreless innings.
In the 23rd, Jamie Ortiz led off with a single against Justin Friend, the Florida State League leader in saves. Miguel Fermin then sacrificed Ortiz over to second. Finally, at the 5 hour, 37 minute mark, Jose Duarte--the man who replaced ejected Chase Austin--singled home Jaime Ortiz.
The minorleaguebaseball.com complete recap is here.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Red Sox Roster Reshuffle
The Red Sox have made quite a few roster moves in the last few hours.
1. Signed Kevin Millwood to a minor league contract.
This is probably the biggest news, but it will have the least immediate impact. Millwood opted out of his Yankees contract on May 1 when he hadn't yet made it to the majors, despite their lack of pitching. People are making a big deal about his ERA of 8.00 in Scranton, but it is the scouting report saying that he topped out at 86. Provided he passes his physical, Millwood will report to Pawtucket to get himself straightened out. Last year, Millwood had a 5.10 ERA for the Orioles, giving up 30 home runs in 190 IP. With both stuff and results lacking in recent years, Millwood is an emergency move - in place in case Tim Wakefield is washed up, Alfredo Aceves can't handle starting, and both Matsuzaka and Lackey are unable to return quickly. Expectations should be minimal.
2. Designated Hideki Okajima for asignment.
It's about over for Okie-Dokie. In an interview, Theo said he hopes Okajima can clear waivers if he's unable to trade him, but with Rich Hill having passed him as the available lefty out of the bullpen and Franklin Morales on his way from Colorado, there's no clear role for him. Since the start of last year, Okajima has a 4.47 ERA in 54.1 IP. With 39 strikeouts to 25 walks, indicators are that both his command and control have suffered. Okajima averaged 2.1 WAR out of the bullpen in his first three years with Boston. So, while this is probably the end of the line, fans should be happy with the role he played as the prominent setup man on three playoff teams.
3. Traded a player to be named later to the Colorado Rockies for reliever Franlin Morales.
Morales was a prospect at one point, but he just walks too many people. Before the 2008 season, he was rated the #8 prospect in the game by Baseball America, but he responded by walking twice as many hitters as he struck out in five starts since them. Moved to the bullpen, Morales has continued to walk the park, to the exasperation of Rockies' management. His ERA has improved this year, but he still had 8 walks in 14 innings.
Instead of going the Andrew Miller route, and sending Morales to the minors to get his confidence, control, mechanics and value back, Morales will go to the major league bullpen. While Rich Hill has shown ability to get both lefties and righties out (he got Jose Batista in a big moment on Monday), Morales will be used as a more specific Lefty-One-Out-Guy. It makes sense, as lefties have hit only .185/.291/.333 lifetime off Morales.
4. Activated Dan Wheeler from 15-day Disabled List. Optioned Michael Bowden to AAA Pawtucket.
Wheeler was signed in the offseason to stabilize the shaky bullpen. He responded by allowing home runs to 4 of the first 49 batters he saw. The league was hitting .375/.388/.688 when he was shut down for an injury to his calf. In the Rays bullpen from 2008 through 2010, Wheeler had a 3.24 ERA in 172.1 innings, albeit with 28 HR allowed, a reason why he never was able to stick in the closer role.
I'm not sure what to say about Bowden. A 2005 first round pick, he has pitched very well in the minors for stretches, but he seemingly has never gotten the confidence of management because of his middling stuff. They hoped that the deceptive arm action on his delivery would make him a quality reliever, and he's done nothing to prove that incorrect. Through 22.2 innings at Pawtucket, Bowden has a 1.59 ERA, 28 strikeouts, 4 walks and only one homer allowed. Even though he's been a prospect forever, Bowden is still only 24, so it's not like he's running out of opportunities, but it seems more and more like he'll need to go to another organization to get the chance he deserves.
5. Recalled IF/OF Drew Sutton from AAA Pawtucket. Optioned SS Jose Iglesias to Pawtucket.
This is a sensible move that gives the Red Sox more roster flexibility, and meanwhile gives Iglesias the chance to play every day. Sutton had a .304/.385/.522 line at Pawtucket while playing 3B, SS, 2B and LF. A .277/.381/.432 hitter in 800 AAA plate appearances, Sutton provides both some patience and pop to go with his flexibility. At 28 he is not considered a prospect, and he did not produce in limited opportunities with Cincinnati and Cleveland the last two years, but he brings enough to the table to be a serviceable 25th man.
Iglesias is still the long-term plan at SS, and the demotion does not have any bearing on that. He simply has not yet gotten to where he needs to be with the bat to be a full time contributor.
1. Signed Kevin Millwood to a minor league contract.
This is probably the biggest news, but it will have the least immediate impact. Millwood opted out of his Yankees contract on May 1 when he hadn't yet made it to the majors, despite their lack of pitching. People are making a big deal about his ERA of 8.00 in Scranton, but it is the scouting report saying that he topped out at 86. Provided he passes his physical, Millwood will report to Pawtucket to get himself straightened out. Last year, Millwood had a 5.10 ERA for the Orioles, giving up 30 home runs in 190 IP. With both stuff and results lacking in recent years, Millwood is an emergency move - in place in case Tim Wakefield is washed up, Alfredo Aceves can't handle starting, and both Matsuzaka and Lackey are unable to return quickly. Expectations should be minimal.
2. Designated Hideki Okajima for asignment.
It's about over for Okie-Dokie. In an interview, Theo said he hopes Okajima can clear waivers if he's unable to trade him, but with Rich Hill having passed him as the available lefty out of the bullpen and Franklin Morales on his way from Colorado, there's no clear role for him. Since the start of last year, Okajima has a 4.47 ERA in 54.1 IP. With 39 strikeouts to 25 walks, indicators are that both his command and control have suffered. Okajima averaged 2.1 WAR out of the bullpen in his first three years with Boston. So, while this is probably the end of the line, fans should be happy with the role he played as the prominent setup man on three playoff teams.
3. Traded a player to be named later to the Colorado Rockies for reliever Franlin Morales.
Morales was a prospect at one point, but he just walks too many people. Before the 2008 season, he was rated the #8 prospect in the game by Baseball America, but he responded by walking twice as many hitters as he struck out in five starts since them. Moved to the bullpen, Morales has continued to walk the park, to the exasperation of Rockies' management. His ERA has improved this year, but he still had 8 walks in 14 innings.
Instead of going the Andrew Miller route, and sending Morales to the minors to get his confidence, control, mechanics and value back, Morales will go to the major league bullpen. While Rich Hill has shown ability to get both lefties and righties out (he got Jose Batista in a big moment on Monday), Morales will be used as a more specific Lefty-One-Out-Guy. It makes sense, as lefties have hit only .185/.291/.333 lifetime off Morales.
4. Activated Dan Wheeler from 15-day Disabled List. Optioned Michael Bowden to AAA Pawtucket.
Wheeler was signed in the offseason to stabilize the shaky bullpen. He responded by allowing home runs to 4 of the first 49 batters he saw. The league was hitting .375/.388/.688 when he was shut down for an injury to his calf. In the Rays bullpen from 2008 through 2010, Wheeler had a 3.24 ERA in 172.1 innings, albeit with 28 HR allowed, a reason why he never was able to stick in the closer role.
I'm not sure what to say about Bowden. A 2005 first round pick, he has pitched very well in the minors for stretches, but he seemingly has never gotten the confidence of management because of his middling stuff. They hoped that the deceptive arm action on his delivery would make him a quality reliever, and he's done nothing to prove that incorrect. Through 22.2 innings at Pawtucket, Bowden has a 1.59 ERA, 28 strikeouts, 4 walks and only one homer allowed. Even though he's been a prospect forever, Bowden is still only 24, so it's not like he's running out of opportunities, but it seems more and more like he'll need to go to another organization to get the chance he deserves.
5. Recalled IF/OF Drew Sutton from AAA Pawtucket. Optioned SS Jose Iglesias to Pawtucket.
This is a sensible move that gives the Red Sox more roster flexibility, and meanwhile gives Iglesias the chance to play every day. Sutton had a .304/.385/.522 line at Pawtucket while playing 3B, SS, 2B and LF. A .277/.381/.432 hitter in 800 AAA plate appearances, Sutton provides both some patience and pop to go with his flexibility. At 28 he is not considered a prospect, and he did not produce in limited opportunities with Cincinnati and Cleveland the last two years, but he brings enough to the table to be a serviceable 25th man.
Iglesias is still the long-term plan at SS, and the demotion does not have any bearing on that. He simply has not yet gotten to where he needs to be with the bat to be a full time contributor.
Sean Burroughs is Back in the Majors
Remember Sean Burroughs? I wouldn't say I'd forgotten about him, but I'll admit that I hadn't thought about him in years, when I read in spring training that the Arizona Diamondbacks had signed him to a minor league contract. He last appeared in a major league game on May 4, 2006 with the Rays, then spent the next year and a half in the minors with Tampa and Seattle, before falling out of affiliated baseball.
For anyone who needs a refresher, Burroughs was the can't miss prospect who did. The son of Jeff Burroughs, the 1974 MVP, Sean was first introduced to a national audience as the pudgy-faced star of the Long Beach team that won the 1993 Little League World Series, even appearing on the Dave Letterman show.
Burroughs continued to star throughout high school, and was drafted 9th overall by the San Diego Padres, who gave him an impressive bonus in order to convince him that he didn't need to go to USC. Burroughs' combination of ability to make solid contact and his good batting eye shot him to the top of prospect lists - #7 before 2000, #6 in 2001, and up to #4 in 2002. His power hadn't yet developed, but the power is always last to develop, and 3B who get on base at a .390 clip have a value anyway.
At 21, Burroughs broke camp with the Padres in '02, and struggled. Perhaps it was the pressure of expectations, or maybe the fact that he just wasn't quite ready, he had a .221/.261/.282 line through two months, and was sent back to AAA for seasoning. Where he continued to do what he had always done - hit lots of singles and walk a lot. After a September callup, Burroughs was fantastic, .377/.433/.410, leading to increased optimism going into 2003.
In 2003, Burroughs had his best season going .286/.352/.402 as a 22 year old. He hit only 7 home runs, but again, power is the last skill to develop, right? Burroughs was a big guy, 6'2", 200 pounds - he HAD to develop power. Things started going backwards, though. In 2004, perhaps wanting Burroughs to prove that he could hurt them, teams started pitching him more aggressively, and the result was .298/.348/.365, with only two home runs. His batting average had improved some, but he was seeing too many strikes to keep his walk total up. In '05, tried to lengthen his swing to generate more power. What it generated instead was more strikeouts, a .250/.318/.299 line, a demotion back to the minor leagues, and a complete loss of any confidence in his hitting mechanics.
After the 2005 season, hoping that a change of scenery might help him, the Tampa Bay (then Devil) Rays traded their own frustrating failed prospect Dewon Brazelton for Burroughs. He didn't hit in the majors there, and didn't hit in the minors either, being designated for assignment in late June. In 2007, he had a very short stint with the Mariners AAA affiliate before again being released, and he then fell out of organized baseball.
Until last fall. Burroughs contacted his agents, who had assumed he was retired, and told them he was interested in making a comeback, and to see if he could get a workout with anyone. His agents contacted Kevin Towers, the man who originally drafted Burroughs 12 years earlier, who now is the GM of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Towers sent scout Tom Schmidt to conduct a workout for Burroughs. Sufficiently impressed, Towers signed him to a minor league contract. Burroughs reported to the Padres AAA affiliate in Reno, where he hit .386/.434/.571 in 77 plate appearances, before having his contract purchased on Wednesday.
Last night, Burroughs finally made it back. In the 6th inning, Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson called on him to pinch hit. With two outs and men on first and third, Burroughs came to the plate for the first time in five years and 16 days. He hit a grounder up the middle that was fielded by Dan Uggla, and Burroughs was out 4-3--just about the most satisfying 4-3 groundout you'll ever see.
It is, of course, impossible to predict what kind of production Burroughs will produce - we don't even know how much chance he'll get to play. Still, after all those years away, his comeback should already be considered a success. Everything from here is just gravy.
For anyone who needs a refresher, Burroughs was the can't miss prospect who did. The son of Jeff Burroughs, the 1974 MVP, Sean was first introduced to a national audience as the pudgy-faced star of the Long Beach team that won the 1993 Little League World Series, even appearing on the Dave Letterman show.
Burroughs continued to star throughout high school, and was drafted 9th overall by the San Diego Padres, who gave him an impressive bonus in order to convince him that he didn't need to go to USC. Burroughs' combination of ability to make solid contact and his good batting eye shot him to the top of prospect lists - #7 before 2000, #6 in 2001, and up to #4 in 2002. His power hadn't yet developed, but the power is always last to develop, and 3B who get on base at a .390 clip have a value anyway.
At 21, Burroughs broke camp with the Padres in '02, and struggled. Perhaps it was the pressure of expectations, or maybe the fact that he just wasn't quite ready, he had a .221/.261/.282 line through two months, and was sent back to AAA for seasoning. Where he continued to do what he had always done - hit lots of singles and walk a lot. After a September callup, Burroughs was fantastic, .377/.433/.410, leading to increased optimism going into 2003.
In 2003, Burroughs had his best season going .286/.352/.402 as a 22 year old. He hit only 7 home runs, but again, power is the last skill to develop, right? Burroughs was a big guy, 6'2", 200 pounds - he HAD to develop power. Things started going backwards, though. In 2004, perhaps wanting Burroughs to prove that he could hurt them, teams started pitching him more aggressively, and the result was .298/.348/.365, with only two home runs. His batting average had improved some, but he was seeing too many strikes to keep his walk total up. In '05, tried to lengthen his swing to generate more power. What it generated instead was more strikeouts, a .250/.318/.299 line, a demotion back to the minor leagues, and a complete loss of any confidence in his hitting mechanics.
After the 2005 season, hoping that a change of scenery might help him, the Tampa Bay (then Devil) Rays traded their own frustrating failed prospect Dewon Brazelton for Burroughs. He didn't hit in the majors there, and didn't hit in the minors either, being designated for assignment in late June. In 2007, he had a very short stint with the Mariners AAA affiliate before again being released, and he then fell out of organized baseball.
Until last fall. Burroughs contacted his agents, who had assumed he was retired, and told them he was interested in making a comeback, and to see if he could get a workout with anyone. His agents contacted Kevin Towers, the man who originally drafted Burroughs 12 years earlier, who now is the GM of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Towers sent scout Tom Schmidt to conduct a workout for Burroughs. Sufficiently impressed, Towers signed him to a minor league contract. Burroughs reported to the Padres AAA affiliate in Reno, where he hit .386/.434/.571 in 77 plate appearances, before having his contract purchased on Wednesday.
Last night, Burroughs finally made it back. In the 6th inning, Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson called on him to pinch hit. With two outs and men on first and third, Burroughs came to the plate for the first time in five years and 16 days. He hit a grounder up the middle that was fielded by Dan Uggla, and Burroughs was out 4-3--just about the most satisfying 4-3 groundout you'll ever see.
It is, of course, impossible to predict what kind of production Burroughs will produce - we don't even know how much chance he'll get to play. Still, after all those years away, his comeback should already be considered a success. Everything from here is just gravy.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Vin Mazzaro and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
How bad is bad? As in, possibly the worst game in the post World War II era.
Coming in to start the third inning with the Royals trailing the Indians 3-1, Mazzaro pitched a scoreless third inning. He then gave up TEN runs in the fourth inning. He gave up one more run in the fifth, when he was finally, mercifully taken out with one out and the bases loaded. All three inherited runners scored. The Indians went on to win 19-1. (Box score)
2.1 Innings Pitched. 14 earned runs allowed.
Using Baseball-Reference's Play Index tool, I was able to find all of the pitchers who have allowed 14 runs (none have allowed more) in the last 66 years.
On August 3, 1998, Mike Oquist of the Oakland A's allowed 14 runs in 5 innings. 13 of those runs came in the first three innings, so I guess you could say Oquist settled down.
On August 14, 1977, Bill Travers of the Milwaukee Brewers gave up 14 runs in 7.2 innings. It should be noted that this was in the second game of a doubleheader.
On June 28, 1947, Al Jurisich of the Phillies gave up 14 runs against the Giants in an 8 inning complete game, presumably because manager Ben Chapman wasn't aware he could use a relief pitcher. Jurisich, 25 years old and 15-16 in his career to that point, never won another major league game. Hopefully Mazzaro has a better fate.
EDIT: Looking at the game logs, it appears the Phillies had a doubleheader scheduled for the following day. So that at least gives some insight into what Chapman's thinking might have been.
Coming in to start the third inning with the Royals trailing the Indians 3-1, Mazzaro pitched a scoreless third inning. He then gave up TEN runs in the fourth inning. He gave up one more run in the fifth, when he was finally, mercifully taken out with one out and the bases loaded. All three inherited runners scored. The Indians went on to win 19-1. (Box score)
2.1 Innings Pitched. 14 earned runs allowed.
Using Baseball-Reference's Play Index tool, I was able to find all of the pitchers who have allowed 14 runs (none have allowed more) in the last 66 years.
On August 3, 1998, Mike Oquist of the Oakland A's allowed 14 runs in 5 innings. 13 of those runs came in the first three innings, so I guess you could say Oquist settled down.
On August 14, 1977, Bill Travers of the Milwaukee Brewers gave up 14 runs in 7.2 innings. It should be noted that this was in the second game of a doubleheader.
On June 28, 1947, Al Jurisich of the Phillies gave up 14 runs against the Giants in an 8 inning complete game, presumably because manager Ben Chapman wasn't aware he could use a relief pitcher. Jurisich, 25 years old and 15-16 in his career to that point, never won another major league game. Hopefully Mazzaro has a better fate.
EDIT: Looking at the game logs, it appears the Phillies had a doubleheader scheduled for the following day. So that at least gives some insight into what Chapman's thinking might have been.
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