The amazement in which Phillies manager Rob Thomson watches pitcher Cristopher Sanchez seems to surprise even him.
And why not? All Sanchez has done this season, before facing the New York Mets on Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park, is thrust himself firmly into the Cy Young conversation with his 12-5 record, 2.60 ERA, 20 quality starts and a 1.12 WHIP. He also hasn’t given up a home run in 48 and 1/3 innings and has given up more than three earned runs in just three of his 28 starts.
“I’m always astounded by him,” Thomson said. “I always think about the first time I saw him and it was trouble for him to throw a strike, to be honest. But with the great fastball and the great velocity and how he’s kind of evolved into this pitcher that has power, and his great changeup and the great poise and how tough he is. I’ve been around a long time, as we know, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen the evolution of a pitcher like I have with Sanchez.”
That is extremely high praise coming from a man that spent close to 20 years in the New York Yankees organization before becoming a bench coach with the Phillies in 2018. Especially when you take into consideration how erratic Sanchez was when Thomson first saw him.
“I think he believed it. Me, I wasn’t quite sure,” Thomson said of the success level Sanchez has reached. “But that was one time seeing. You’ve got to see people over and over. I’m just really astounded where he’s come.”
Outfield a good problem
The shuffling of the outfield has been talked and written about almost daily since the Phillies acquired Harrison Bader back on July 31. And while it’s been ever-changing, it’s always been a semi-hot topic.
Thomson had a wish when it all came about, and that was that all five of his platooning outfielders play well enough that no matter who he pencils in, the results are good. He’s pretty much gotten that of late from Bader, Brandon Marsh, Max Kepler, Nick Castellanos and Weston Wilson.
“He’s been really good,” Thomson said of Castellanos, who knocked in two first-inning runs on Tuesday. “He really has. He’s stayed within the zone for the most part. Big double last night to get a couple runs on the board early. I think he’s been good.”
Castellanos was not in the starting lineup on Wednesday in favor of Marsh, Bader and Kepler. Days off for the player who has played almost all of them for close to a decade seems to be working for Castellanos right now.
“I think it has to do more with having some days off,” Thomson said. “It makes their bodies feel a little bit better, a little fresher. I don’t think he’s working on anything in particular. I know he’s always trying to stay within the strike zone and use the entire field. I think that’s just his game plan. I think having days off, for all these guys at times, is good for them.
“It’s been great, it really has. I’m really happy with where we’re at right now. We’ve just got to keep moving forward. Everybody is contributing. It seems like a different guy every day that steps up. It’s been great.”
Bader seems to be firmly planted as the (nearly) everyday center fielder right now. Wednesday, he was at the leadoff spot for the second game in a row.
“He had a big night last night, so we’ll run it back through again,” Thomson said. “He works hard, and he’s improved his offensive game. But I think he’s fit in well in this clubhouse because he has a really good personality and brings a lot of energy, and I think that fits perfect with the group that we’ve got.”
Numbers game
There were a lot of numbers to comprehend on Tuesday when you consider Kyle Schwarber became just the second Phillies player to hit 50 home runs in a season (Ryan Howard the other), Bryson Stott got his 500th career hit and Ranger Suarez struck out a career-high 12. So, what are some of Thomson’s favorite numbers to observe with this team?
“That’s a good question, I’d have to think about that,” he said. “There are so many numbers. The 50 home runs are pretty cool. The 500 hits for Stott are pretty cool. I think the fact that we’ve improved our discipline at the plate is really good. There’s a lot of stuff. I stay pretty traditional, to tell you the truth. For me, anyway, that’s the best approach.”
Thomson had the team roaring in the clubhouse after Tuesday’s game when the team toasted Schwarber on his huge accomplishment.
“You’re a gift,” Thomson said to Schwarber, drawing huge laughs from his players. Turns out, that’s a Bader quip.
“It’s great. It’s been a long time not being able to do that,” said Thomson of his speech. “When I have an opportunity to celebrate somebody’s successes it feels really great for me. ‘What a gift’ is his saying, so that’s why I said it.”
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