Grapefruit Game 27 - 2019 Topps Now Spring Training #ST-3 Bryce Harper

Phillies 13, Blue Jays 6
Spring Training Game 27 - Thursday Afternoon, March 21st in Dunedin
Record - 12-12-3

One Sentence Summary:  The offense, led by Bryce Harper, unleashed 6 home runs against the Blue Jays in this 13-6 win.

What It Means:  The regular season starts one week from this game.

What Happened:  Harper hit a pair of bombs, his first two home runs of the spring.  Joining him were Gift Ngoepe (2), Andrew Knapp (2), J.T. Realmuto (4) and Andrew McCutchen (2).  Vince Velasquez allowed 5 hits and 3 runs over 3 1/3 innings while striking out 9.

Featured Card:  This is the first Topps Now card featuring Harper as a Phillie, released to commemorate his introductory press conference.  Topps sold 12,387 of these cards, making it the most popular Topps Now Phillies card since the program began in 2016.  The previous high was 4,221 cards for the Chase Utley/Ryan Howard combo card from 2016, which I'm including as a Phillies' card due to Howard's inclusion on the back photo.

2019 Chachi Almost #1

Camp Head Count:  48 - 13 = 35.  This was a busy day.  Before the game, Drew Anderson (rhp) and James Pazos (lhp) were optioned to the IronPigs.  Both will pitch for the Phillies at some point this upcoming season.  Non-roster invitees Edward Paredes (lhp), Jeremy Bleich (lhp), Trevor Plouffe (inf) and Gregorio Petit (inf) were all released.  A few hours later, Dylan Cozens (of) was also optioned and Adam Haseley (of) was reassigned to minor league camp.  Additionally, Shane Robinson (of), Lane Adams (of), Phil Gosselin (inf), Gift Ngoepe (inf) and Matt McBride (c) were told they would not make the opening day roster, but will remain with the team through the rest of spring training.

35 - 2 = 33.  Following the game, both Andrew Romine (inf) and Drew Butera (c) were granted their unconditional release.

There are 6 more roster moves to be made, assuming both Roman Quinn (of) and Tommy Hunter (rhp) start the season on the Injured List.  Only 3 non-roster invitees remain - Sean Rodriguez (inf), Rob Brantly (c) and Josh Martin (rhp).

First Phillies Roster Moves of the Offseason

2018 Topps Now #499

Phillies-related news has been limited so far this offseason, but there have been a few roster moves since the end of the World Series and the 40-man roster now stands at 35 players.

In a move that probably slipped by most people, infielder Trevor Plouffe became a minor league free agent a few days after the regular season ended.  I only became aware of the news after reviewing the Minor League Transactions noted at the Baseball America website.

And as is now standard operating procedure - four more Phillies automatically became free agents at the conclusion of the World Series.  Gone are the days of players "declaring" free agency.  Finally, on Friday, the Phillies sent Pedro Florimon outright to the IronPigs after he was removed from the 40-man roster and cleared waivers.  A day later, Florimon opted to become a minor league free agent.  

None of these six players are expected to return in 2019.

Moving On - 2018-2019 Offseason

• Trevor Plouffe - inf (10/4/18) - Elected free agency.
• Jose Bautista - of (10/29/18) - Elected free agency.
• Asdrubal Cabrera - inf (10/29/18) - Elected free agency.
• Aaron Loup - lhp (10/29/18) - Elected free agency.
• Wilson Ramos - c (10/29/18) - Elected free agency.
• Pedro Florimon - inf/of (11/3/18) - Outrighted off 40-man roster and elected free agency.

Game 100 - 2018 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #22 Trevor Plouffe

Phillies 7, Dodgers 4 (16)
Game 100 - Tuesday Night, July 24th in Philadelphia
Record - 56-44, 1st place, 1 game ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Trevor Plouffe ended a marathon 16-inning game with a 3-run home run off position player Kike Hernandez as the Phillies prevailed, 7-4.

What It Means:  The Braves lost, so the late night/early morning win gave the Phillies sole possession of first place once again.

What Happened:  The Dodgers were leading 4-1 in the 7th when Jorge Alfaro absolutely crushed a 3-run home run that landed in the Dodgers' bullpen.  The Phillies and Dodgers bullpens combined for 8 scoreless innings after that until Plouffe's big hit.

Other stand-out performances in this game include the two scoreless innings each thrown by Victor Arano, Luis Garcia and Austin Davis.  Vince Velasquez pitched a scoreless 16th and was the recipient of the win.

Featured Card:  Plouffe received a Topps Now card for his heroics, but for now this is the sole card of his in my Phillies collection.  Neat statistic from @BoopStats - Plouffe's home run ties the second latest (by inning) walk-off home run in franchise history.  The others:

Transactions:  The door continued to revolve to the Phillies bullpen as Yacksel Rios was sent down and Drew Anderson took his place on the roster.

2018 Chachi #43 Trevor Plouffe

#10
Trevor Patrick Plouffe
Infield-Outfield

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'2"  Weight:  215
Opening Day Age:  31
Born:  June 15, 1986, West Hills, CA
Drafted:  Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round of the 2004 amateur draft, June 7, 2004.
Teams:  Minnesota Twins 2010-2016; Oakland Athletics 2017; Tampa Bay Rays 2017; Phillies 2018
Acquired:  Signed as a minor league free agent, formerly with the Texas Rangers organization, April 23, 2018.

2005 Topps Update #UH95

2018 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #22

1 Plouffe Baseball Card in My Collection per The Phillies Room Checklist
First Topps Flagship Base Card:  2005 Topps Update #UH95
First Phillies Minor League Card:  2018 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #22
First Phillies Card:  N/A
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  N/A
Newest Card:  2018 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #22

First Mention on The Phillies Room:  July 15, 2018 - There were a flurry of roster moves before this game.  De Los Santos and infielder Trevor Plouffe had their contracts purchased from Lehigh Valley.  Reliever Jake Thompson and outfielder Dylan Cozens were both optioned to Lehigh Valley while reliever Hoby Milner was designated for assignment.  To make additional room on the 40-man roster, Pedro Florimon was moved to the 60-day disabled list.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2018 Chachi #43

Card statistics through 7/21/18.