The Philadelphia Phillies made a bold move by targeting Clay Holmes as a back-end starter, hoping he can help the team in October. According to The Good Phight, Holmes has thrown 218.1 innings for the New York Mets with a 3.26 ERA. That’s a starter now, not just a reliever. He’s relying on a heavy sinker and sharp defense to win games. The team needs someone better than the Brian Keller bullpen games they’ve been running lately. It’s a risky bet, but the numbers show he could be a real upgrade.
The Pitcher Who Changed His Game
Clay Holmes didn’t show up with the same old stuff. He traded his slider for a curveball and added more cutters to handle right-handed hitters. He also added a kick-change that’s worked very well against left-handed batters. Per The Good Phight, he limits barrels even if he doesn’t generate the same swing-and-miss as before. As a reliever, he threw two ticks harder, resulting in reduced damage and increased strikeouts. Now he must prove he can do it over a long season as a starter. The Phillies are counting on him to be useful in the playoffs.
While the Phillies eye Holmes, the Washington Nationals appear to be a genuine threat to the rest of the league. Their farm system now ranks fourth on Baseball America’s recent rankings. Making players better is a major trend within the Paul Toboni front office. Several players on their major league team have taken significant steps forward. Curtis Mead moved between the Rays and White Sox without securing significant playing time. Now he posts a 133 OPS+ and was swapped for Connelly Early, who holds a mid-rotation projection plus over five seasons of club control.
A Farm System That Just Won’t Stop
The wins for Washington go far beyond just Mead. James Wood is becoming one of the sport’s top hitters, an impressive victory considering his prospect status. CJ Abrams evolved from a solid hitter into a potential star, posting a 153 OPS+. Luis Garcia Jr. is having the best season of his career. They even made Keibert Ruiz useful again. A one-year NPB contract and all-star honors were secured by Foster Griffin while on the mound. Cade Cavalli also took a step forward.
So many positive developments are occurring under a regime hired less than a year ago. Organizationally, the Washington Nationals seem to be a serious problem. Shockingly, the trade involving Curtis Mead and Connelly Early between the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox persists. Mead now suffers a left wrist fracture, likely removing him from the lineup for at least a month. This injury destroys Boston’s strongest case for the trade: a better short-term push to reach the playoffs. The Phillies need to watch out because this team is getting good fast.
