Sunday, February 24, 2019

Grapefruit Game 1 - 2019 Topps #327 Maikel Franco

Phillies 3, Rays 2
Spring Training Game 1 - Friday Afternoon, February 22nd in Port Charlotte
Record - 1-0

One Sentence Summary:  Maikel Franco hit a solo home run, Scott Kingery rounded the bases in the first with a Little League home run and Cole Irvin got the win in the team's 2019 debut.

What It Means:  And we're back!  I had the pleasure of listening to the last inning of this game on my way home from work on Friday.  It's early, and I don't know if this will be the plan throughout the regular season, but I like the radio booth trio of Scott Franzke, Larry Andersen and Kevin Frandsen.

What Happened:  Kingery scored in the first when center fielder Kevin Kiermaier tripped and fell while pursuing his fly ball and then Willy Adames threw wild to home.  Irvin struck out 3 and allowed a run in his 2 1/3 innings of work.

Featured Card:  Nobody is happier that Manny Machado officially signed with the Padres on Wednesday than Maikel Franco.  It's a big year for Franco and he's off to a good start with a solo home run in this game.  This is one of the 13 Phillies cards found in the 2019 Topps Series One team set.

Camp Head Count:  61.  As this year's exhibition season opens, the Phillies have 39 players on their 40-man roster and another 22 non-roster invitees.  Unfortunately, a few days into camp utility player Sean Rodriguez tore his right meniscus and could miss significant time.  (Bad news for anyone who purchased a custom #3 Rodriguez Phillies jersey.)  Taking his place in the pecking order is old friend Trevor Plouffe who the Phillies brought back on a minor league deal on Thursday.  (Thanks to Brian Smith on Twitter for letting me know that Plouffe will be wearing #80.)

Additionally, outfielder Gift Ngoepe has yet to arrive due to visa issues, so the active camp head count is actually only 59.

Player (position) - 2018 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card Appearance*
1.  Jeremy Bleich (lhp) - Athletics - 2010 Topps Pro Debut #35 (Yankees)
2.  Rob Brantly (c) - Braves/Indians - 2013 Topps Gypsy Queen #33 (Marlins)
3.  Phil Gosselin (inf) - Reds/Braves - 2017 Topps Heritage #135 (Diamondbacks)
4.  Josh Martin (rhp) - Indians - 2012 Bowman Draft Picks #BDPP160 (Indians)
5.  Matt McBride (c-1b) - Phillies - 2007 Bowman Sterling Prospects #MM (Indians)
6.  Gregorio Petit (inf) - Twins - 2015 Topps Heritage #667 (Yankees)
7.  Shane Robinson (of) - Yankees - 2014 Topps #483 (Cardinals)
8.  Gift Ngoepe (inf) - Blue Jays - 2018 Topps Heritage #579 (Blue Jays)
9.  Edward Paredes (lhp) - Dodgers - N/A
10.  Andrew Romine (inf) - Mariners - 2018 Topps Heritage #641 (Mariners)
11.  Malquin Canelo (inf) - Phillies - N/A
12.  Tyler Gilbert (lhp) - Phillies - N/A
13.  Deivi Grullon (c) - Phillies - 2013 Bowman Chrome #BCP128 (Phillies)
14.  Adam Haseley (of) - Phillies - 2018 Topps Heritage Minor League #131 (Phillies)
15.  Cole Irvin (lhp) - Phillies - 2016 Bowman Draft Chrome #BDC-4 (Phillies)
16.  Austin Listi (inf-of) - Phillies - N/A
17.  Mickey Moniak (of) - Phillies - 2018 Topps Heritage Minor League #261 (Phillies)
18.  JoJo Romero (lhp) - Phillies - 2018 Topps Heritage Minor League #92 (Phillies)
19.  Lane Adams (of) - Cubs/Braves - 2018 Topps Now Road to Opening Day #OD-241 (Braves)
20.  Drew Butera (c) - Royals/Rockies - 2018 Topps Royals #KR7 (Royals)
21.  Sean Rodriguez (inf) - Pirates - 2018 Topps Update #US108 (Pirates)
22.  Trevor Plouffe (inf) - Phillies - 2018 Topps Now #499 (Phillies)

No comments: