Four days ago on 97.3 ESPN out of Atlantic City, New Jersey, ESPN analysis Keith Law was a guest of the Mike Gill show and provided a variety of perspectives from Phillies trade candidates to ownership to the Phillies' young budding stars in the minor leagues. One topic that caught Law's eye was the Phillies' decision to keep J.P. Crawford and Aaron Nola out of major league camp this year. Law called this a "colossal mistake". However, I think it was a good idea.
The Phillies have been eager to turn over their roster that is filled with aging veterans. Along with their veteran presence come veteran ways. Two things in particular could only stand to harm the Phillies young prospects, rather than hurt.
General manager Ruben Amaro, Jr., recently warned about the Phillies needing to change their approach at the plate. This is a message that young players need to hear. The veterans are not likely to do so at this stage of their careers. Chase Utley, Carlos Ruiz, and Ryan Howard are who they are at this point. It is almost a fruitless effort to worry about them now. While Utley's influence is probably good, any negativity from the Phillies' old stars would only stand to harm the young players.
The clubhouse environment was an issue last season, and while on the winter caravan tour, manager Ryne Sandberg bluntly said so, captured here in this Ryan Lawrence piece in the Philadelphia Daily News.
“I didn’t think we had a good clubhouse last year . . . I don’t think it was conducive to winning,” Sandberg said. “I don’t think it was about winning a baseball game that day, in some regards. I think there were some distractions there.”
They have yet to move all of the players that contributed to this environment. Until they do so, it is better to keep the players away.
Protocol is for college-age first round picks to get a taste of Spring Training camp. While it will not come this year for Aaron Nola and J.P. Crawford, that day will come soon.
Listen to Law's full interview here.
