In yesterday's 5-3 win against the Braves, the Phillies got a first-look at one of their top young arms in 22-year-old Severino Gonzalez. He didn't disappoint, tossing three shutout innings, striking out two in the process. Darin Ruf and Ryan Howard went back-to-back to power the offense. While we likely won't see Severino Gonzalez in red pinstripes to start the season, that isn't the case with Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, who will take the mound this afternoon when the Phillies host the Astros.
For the first time this spring in his last start, Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez looked sharp on the mound. In 3 1/3 innings of work, he gave up one run on five hits while striking out one. He threw 21 pitches, 17 of which were strikes. Gonzalez's role with the Phillies this season is still an unknown at this point. They seem to be giving him every opportunity to earn a spot in the rotation, but until he puts together consistent, effective outings, it is tough to believe that he'll be anything more than a long relief guy when the Phillies open the season. In four games this spring, he's allowed eight runs in 10 1/3 innings. He's also struck out six and walked one.
The Astros will turn to Asher Wojciechowski, who went 4-4 with a 4.74 ERA in Triple-A last season. He's had a very impressive spring thus far, posting a minuscule 0.75 ERA in 12 innings, striking out nine batters in the process. Wojciechowski comes in as the #23 prospect in the Astros organization, according to MLB.com. The Astros lineup has two former Phillies prospects in Jonathan Singleton and Jonathan Villar. Singleton is hitting .270 (10-for-37) with six doubles, four RBI's, three runs scored, three walks and 13 strikeouts. Villar is hitting .281 (9-for-32) this spring with a homer, three RBI's, two walks, 10 strikeouts and two stolen bases. The other former Phillies prospect, Domingo Santana, was one of the first cuts for the Astros after not registering a hit in ten at-bats, including six strikeouts.
LINEUPS:
Phillies
- Ben Revere LF
- Freddy Galvis SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Cody Asche 3B
- Odubel Herrera CF
- Brian Bogusevic RF
- Cameron Rupp C
- Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez P
Astros
- Robbie Grossman RF
- Jonathan Villar CF
- Evan Gattis LF
- Jon Singleton 1B
- Matt Dominguez 3B
- Marwin Gonzalez 2B
- Carlos Correa SS
- Hank Conger C
- Asher Wojciechowski P
Gamtime: 1:05pm
Location: Bright House Field, Clearwater, Florida
TV: The Comcast Network, MLB Network (delay)
Radio: None
