Phillies Five: Players Who Could Make Significant Impact

The Phillies have been relatively healthy this season, which is a plus, over their division rivals and other counterparts around the league.  

The Marlins, for example, just lost their star ace Jose Fernandez due to a necessary Tommy John surgery, and the Mets' ace of their own, Matt Harvey, is out for the entire season due to similar setbacks.  Atlanta, on the other hand, has been setback by Tommy John their most as four of their pitchers have had the operation: Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy, Cory Gearrin, and Jonny Venters. The Nationals have been without Ryan Zimmerman for the past few months as well due to an injury to his hand.

Because the Phillies haven't been affected by the injury-bug as much as their rivals, you would think they would be running away with the division right now.  Instead, they sit dead-last in the National League East, 4.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves, who has been affected by injuries the most.  This says that the Phillies simply do not have the talent on their roster to compete.

Luckily, there are some talented players out there who the Phillies can add to their roster, most of them being right in their system.  This week on Phillies Five, we will look at some of these players.

5. Maikel Franco

Let's be frank here, the Phillies are unsure whether Cody Asche is the right answer for the hot corner as much as we are.  Asche showed some positive signs last season when he was promoted to the Majors, hitting five home runs and 22 RBIs in 50 games.  However in 34 games already this season, Asche has three home runs and 12 runs batted in, a slight decline in production.

3. Kyle Farnsworth

For a more in-depth read on Farnsworth, read our post from yesterday by @PhilliesFrank.

While Farnsworth is not in the Phillies system yet, having just been outrighted off of the New York Mets roster, he should be strongly considered to be added by the Phillies.  For obvious reasons, they desperately need to improve their bullpen if they wish to contend this season.

Farnsworth has said himself he is absolutely PO'ed at the Mets, and would love to sign with a National League East team for revenge.

“Hopefully find a team to play against this team. I’m very bitter right now.”

2. Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez

Gonzalez began his long-awaited rehab assignment last night with the Clearwater Threshers.  In five innings pitched, Gonzalez allowed three earned runs on 6 hits and two walks.  He struck out just one batter as well, which isn't exactly a plus if he's looking to move up in the ranks anytime soon.  

On a positive note, 40 of Gonzalez's 69 pitches were for strikes.  He was on a 75-pitch limit, as it was his first professional start in his career.

The Phillies signed Gonzalez last Summer in hopes he would make the team's starting rotation out of Spring Training this season.  That obviously never came to fruition, and the Phils had to resort to signing Roberto Hernandez (formely Fausto Carmona) as a result.

If and when Miguel is ready this season, where could he be used on the Phillies roster?  

Your guess is as good as mine.

1. Darin Ruf

Darin Ruf was all but a shoo-in to make the Phils' Opening Day roster, however a late oblique injury in Spring Training put those hopes to shambles.  Thursday, Ruf was finally activated off of the Disabled List and optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.  The Phillies hope he can get enough bats over at Lehigh before likely transitioning into a bench-role on their major-league squad.

In 73 games last season, Ruf hit 14 home runs and 30 runs batted in.  Surely, he would be a significant improvement over any player currently on the bench.