Monday, February 20, 2023

Getting Closer to Games - New Numbers are Here!

2023 Topps #283
2023 Topps #209
2023 Topps #176
2023 Topps #86
2023 Topps #145

It looks as if I skipped the "New Numbers" post last year, which I'll blame on the owners' lock-out that delayed the start of spring training.  One of the many milestones I look forward to each offseason is the assignment of new uniform numbers on the Phillies' website.  This is a hit or miss process as some years the numbers have arrived in spurts, very late or not at all.  I checked the roster page on Friday morning, noticing "--" listed as the uniform number for every non-roster invitee except Francisco Morales, and for most of the non-high profile new additions to the 40-man roster.  By Friday afternoon, uniform numbers had miraculously appeared and we're now that much closer to baseball returning.

Here's a look at the new players and their uniform numbers, who wore the number previously, and a few uniform number switches.

40-Man Roster
  • #2 Josh Harrison (inf) - Worn by Jean Segura since 2019.  Harrison had worn #7 when he was in summer camp with the Phillies in 2020.
  • #7 Trea Turner (ss) -  Johan Camargo wore #7 in 2022, and Turner will wear it through at least the 2033 season.
  • #23 Kody Clemens (inf) - Corey Knebel last year.
  • #25 Matt Strahm (lhp) - Strahm took the number from Darick Hall, who switched to #24.
  • #30 Gregory Sosa (lhp) - David Robertson in 2022.
  • #31 Craig Kimbrel (rhp) - Last worn by Jeurys Familia.
  • #37 Andrew Vasquez (lhp) - This had been Odubel Herrera's number since 2015.
  • #43 Yunior Marte (rhp) - Worn by Noah Syndergaard in 2022.
  • #44 Jake Cave (of) - Kyle Gibson's former number.
  • #47 Erich Uelman (rhp) - Worn very briefly last season by Chris Devenski.
  • #56 Luis Ortiz (rhp) - This had been Zach Efllin's number since 2016.
  • #99 Taijuan Walker (rhp) - Last worn by So Taguchi in 2008.  Prior to that, the only other #99 in franchise history were Turk Wendell and Mitch Williams.
Notable Non-Roster Invitees - 60 and Under
  • #29 John Hicks (c) - Worn in 2022 by Nick Maton.
  • #39 Vimael Machin (inf) - Worn briefly by back-up catcher Donny Sands.
  • #41 Vito Friscia (c) - Belonged to Yairo Munoz last year.
  • #50 Jon Duplantier (rhp) - Worn by Austin Wynns in spring training last year, and last worn in season by closer Hector Neris.
  • #51 Ben Bowden (lhp) - Hans Crouse, still in the organization, wore this number for one game in 2021.
  • #60 Louis Head (rhp) - Ryan Sherriff wore this number in spring training last year, Ramon Rosso wore it in 2021.
Uniform Number Switches
  • #24 Darick Hall (inf) - Hall surrendered #25 to Strahm, and takes the number last worn by Roman Quinn.
  • #73 Will Toffey (inf) - Toffey was active for one game in 2022 and wore #33, which now belongs to Edmundo Sosa.
Still Unofficially Retired
#6 Ryan Howard, #11 Jimmy Rollins, #26 Chase Utley, #35 Cole Hamels

Still Available - 60 and Under
#19, #48, #52, #54

#19 was worn by Matt Vierling in 2022, #48 was Vinny Nittoli, #52 was Brad Hand and #54 was Sam Coonrod.  I always suspect they're saving these for an acquisition that hasn't been  made official yet.  Coonrod was the latest departure, as he was claimed by the Mets off waivers on February 6th.

2021 New Numbers - Part One and Part Two
2022 New Numbers - Skipped it!
2023 New Numbers
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1 comment:

John Bateman said...

As a side note Chase Utley - I think I read recently in USA Sports Weekly they have him as a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame. On that 2008 team I always thought that Rollins would be the only one with a chance to make it.

February 20, 2023 at 6:45 PM

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