They're a little late this year, but I noticed yesterday that the team's roster on the Phillies website had finally been updated to assign new uniform numbers to the rogues' gallery of players who will report to Clearwater in a few weeks. As cynical as I am at this point about the team's chances in 2015, I can't help to get a little giddy knowing that we're so close to kicking off a new season.
Here's a look at the new number assignments and a few other random thoughts.
New Players - Under 60 Division
#3 Jeff Francouer - The outfield hopeful, who last wore a single digit with the Braves in 2009 (#7) assumes
Marlon Byrd's number.
#15 Jordan Danks -
John Mayberry, Jr. had worn #15 for the Phillies since 2011. Danks had been #20 with the White Sox, but that number is permanently taken in Philadelphia.
#17 Brian Bogusevic - Bogusevic takes over the number worn by
Reid Brignac last season.
#19 Darin Mastroianni -
Tony Gwynn, Jr. wore #19 last season for the Phils in honor of his late, great father.
#27 Chris Nelson - The infielder takes over the number worn for half a season last year by
Roberto Hernandez.
#28 Xavier Paul - This number went unoccupied last season after
Kevin Frandsen departed for Washington.
#34 Aaron Harang - It looked as if #34 would be unofficially retired by the Phillies last spring in honor of
Roy Halladay, but
A.J. Burnett took the number when he joined the club.
#37 Odubel Herrera - Reliver
Mike Adams wore #37 last season.
#46 Jeanmar Gomez - This number also went unused in 2014, and
Raul Valdes was the last #46 for the Phillies in 2013.
#52 Andy Oliver - Hopefully Oliver has more luck wearing #52 this season than
Jeff Manship did last season.
#59 Kevin Slowey - If Slowey makes the team, he'll take over the number last worn by
Antonio Bastardo.
New Numbers
I'm a little disappointed this year that not one holdover from last year decided (or was given the option to) change his number. There's usually a little shuffling of the numbers each offseason but this year's returning players all opted to stick with their 2014 numbers. Boring.
Other Stuff
- Non-roster invitee infielder Chris McGuiness wins the award for the highest spring uniform number with #77.
Zach Collier had been the previous recipient of this award for the #80 he sported in 2013 and 2014.
- I noted in last year's post that prospect
Maikel Franco, who had been assigned #74 in spring training, would make an excellent #7. That was the uniform number he was assigned when he made his debut with the Phillies in September.
- Between 1 and 60, the only non-retired numbers currently unassigned are #11, #21, #38, #39 and #41. The Phillies have long had an unofficial policy of not assigning numbers of recently departed franchise icons. For that reason, I would seriously doubt we'll see anyone wear #11 (
Jimmy Rollins) or #41 (
Charlie Manuel) in 2015. The same can not be said for #21 (
Wil Nieves), #38 (
Kyle Kendrick) or #39 (
B.J. Rosenberg).
- The cards featured here are from the fantastic, virtual
2014 Quarry Unlimited set created by
Cards from the Quarry. This is the third year in a row a complete set of cards has been created for every single player to have suited up during the season. Check out the whole set!
Memory Lane
2013 New Numbers
2014 New Numbers - Part One and Part Two
Gomez was a late addition to the list of non-roster invitees, so this post will also serve to update the list which now stands at 17.
Player (position) - 2014 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card Appearance
1. Andres Blanco (inf) - Phillies - 2007 Topps #659 (Royals)
2. Brian Bogusevic (of) - Marlins - 2014 Topps #524 (Marlins)
3. Russ Canzler (inf) - Yankees/Phillies - N/A
4. Chase d'Arnaud (inf) - Pirates - 2012 Topps Heritage #323 (Pirates)
5. Jeff Francoeur (of) - Padres - 2014 Topps Update #US-167 (Padres)
6. John Hester (c) - Angels - 2010 Upper Deck #31 (Diamondbacks)
7. Darin Mastroianni (of) - Twins/Blue Jays - 2013 Topps #528 (Twins)
8. Xavier Paul (of) - Orioles/Diamondbacks - 2013 Topps Update #US-194 (Reds)
9. Paul Clemens (rhp) - Astros - 2013 Panini Prizm #213 (Astros)
10. Rene Garcia (c) - Astros - 2009 Bowman Prospects #BP81 (Astros)
11. Koyie Hill (c) - Phillies - 2011 Topps Update #US13 (Cubs)
12. Chris Nelson (inf) - Reds/Padres - 2014 Topps #101 (Angels)
13. Cord Phelps (inf) - Orioles - N/A
14. Chris McGuiness (1b) - Pirates - 2010 Topps Pro Debut #411 (Rangers)
15. Sean O'Sullivan (rhp) - Phillies - 2011 Topps Update #US89 (Royals)
16. Kevin Slowey (rhp) - Marlins - 2012 Topps Update #US94 (Indians)
17. Jeanmar Gomez (rhp) - Pirates - 2013 Topps Update #US92 (Pirates)
