Monday, March 19, 2018

Grapefruit Game 24 - 2017 Phillies Team Issue #76 Jesmuel Valentin

Twins 4, Phillies 3
Spring Training Game 24 - Sunday Afternoon, March 18th in Ft. Myers
Record - 9-14-1

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola looked solid in one of his final tune-ups before the regular season starts in this 4-3 loss to the Twins.

What It Means:  With Jake Arrieta possibly not being ready for the beginning of the season and Jerad Eickhoff out for a few months due to injury, all eyes will be on Nola to get off to a strong start to 2018.

What Happened:  Nola allowed a pair of runs on four hits in his five innings of work.  Gregorio Petit hit a solo home run off Jake Thompson in the eighth to break a 3-3 tie.  Jesmuel Valentin had tied the game in the 7th with a three-run home run, his third of the spring.  Scott Kingery started at third base and had two hits.

Featured Card:  It would seem as if the Phillies are going to start the season with a four-man bench and an eight-man bullpen.  Aaron Altherr is a lock for one of the spots and the second spot will go to either Andrew Knapp or Cameron Rupp as the back-up catcher.  That leaves two spots remaining for Valentin, Pedro Florimon, Roman Quinn, Ryan Flaherty or Adam Rosales.  Valentin almost made the team last spring, but the final two spots went to Brock Stassi and Daniel Nava.  He was close enough though to merit a card in the team-issued set available for sale at the ballpark throughout most of the season.

Camp Head Count:  47

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