MAJOR Phillies Trade Update...Report Reveals Move Incoming

The production in the Phillies outfield, or lack thereof, continues to manifest itself as a significant issue within this Phillies team, with Johan Rojas right at the start of things. We have some reports surfacing of some frustrations with the lack of growth from Rojas, who has not taken the necessary step forwards to nail down that center field spot or be an everyday capable MLB player. I do want to dive into what that means for this Phillies team, what those reports are saying and what this means for the outlook with the trade deadline on the horizon here. We know Johan Rojas, kind of the story of what he is at this point, a guy who, when he's at his best, is one of the best defensive centerfielders in baseball, could even make the case that he is the best. But the inconsistent approach to the plate, the lack of production, is a lot to wear on this Phillies team at times. And with some other areas not producing as expected, that hole just feels even more gaping. So we're going to dive into exactly what this means in this video here. But before I do, I want to remind you guys, as always, to make sure you are hitting that subscribe button. Only 27.6% of you guys watching these videos have subscribed to us here at Phillies Digest just yet. We're going to continue being on top of everything with this Phillies team as we're now past the midpoint of the season. So make sure you guys are tapping in and hitting that button here. Helps us out a ton. Now to get into the topic of today, we're going to start off with this headline saying Phillies reportedly eyeing outfielder move amid quote growing frustration with struggles with this as pertaining to Johan Rojas here. And the article writes, the Philadelphia Phillies endured a second straight shutout loss to the Houston Astros on Wednesday. And by the way, we'll note things got worse after this point, that it was not just two really brutal offensive games. But to continue on with the article, wasting a gem from starter Zach Wheeler one night after doing likewise with Ranger Suarez. As the team's rotation continues to demonstrate its depth and effectiveness, the offense is searching for answers. The dynamic was pointed to in the wake of a disappointing playoff exit last year, and the Phillies can ill afford a similar fate now that their championship window seems even more in danger of closing. And just like last year, the main culprit for their offensive struggles is clear, Johan Rojas. After slashing just .243, .279, and .322 last season, Rojas is slashing a mere .216, .270, and .288 so far this one. And it could finally be pushing the team to a change. To continue on, quote, there is growing frustration with Rojas, who has seven hits in his last 59 at-bats, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Quote, he serves a purpose as a late innings defensive replacement and potential pinch runner, but the club could look to limit his time at the plate. Amid the lack of outfield production last year, the Phillies traded for Austin Hayes, who ended up injured and was ill before being cut by the team. Then, this past winter, the team signed Max Kepler as a potential everyday player, but he's been unable to seize that role. Now it's possible the Phillies will look for another external upgrade at the upcoming trade deadline. In the meantime, Rojas could see his at-bats taken over by Otto Kemp as the team looks to replace him. So a lot to digest here, and the most notable part that I want to lead with is this is really the first time that we've seen this expressed from the Phillies organization. Some frustrations with Rojas. There's been far more coming from the fanbase outside of things than the organization directly, and Matt Gelb is certainly one of those guys in the know and has access to those type of opinions here. So for Rojas specifically, it is unfortunate that we have not seen this level of progress for him. That he has not taken these strides forward, and I've always been a bit defensive of Rojas from the standpoint of he's not going to get better wasting away on the bench. The only way to get this guy to a level of where he can be an everyday center fielder to where this Phillies team commands is to play through the growing pains. Now with that said, it hasn't gotten prettier, man, and to lay out his full stats on the season for Rojas, he's got a 270 on-base percentage, has one home run, 15 RBIs across his 125 at-bats, just 27 hits there. He's stolen nine bases, but struck out 36 times, and the uncompetitive at-bats is what's maddening. He also still can't really bunt, which is beyond frustrating to me. Johan, I'm willing to give you lessons, man. It isn't that super difficult there. I was a bunt expert back in my day. Those are things that he should be getting down for the wheels that he does have here. So for Rojas specifically, gotta add that to the bag here. But this also brings into the larger question with this Phillies team, because in a vacuum, if Johan Rojas is your main culprit for your offensive struggles, that's not that big of a deal. But when there's other guys that are weighing down the lineup and the roster in the same way, it gets fully put on blast, and that's sort of how I feel things. Max Kepler himself, he's out there complaining about not being an everyday left fielder when his production does not say that he should be an everyday left fielder. And to touch on that with Kepler, I did just drop a video breaking down the ins and outs of that. But to bring this up with Kepler here, that this season he's got a 30, a 0.30 on-base percentage there. Nine home runs and 27 RBIs across his 235 at-bats, he has 49 hits and 55 strikeouts there. And to bring Brandon Marsh into the mix here, his production on the season, a 0.341 on-base percentage, a tad better there, a slugging percentage of 373, which is the best of the bunch, but certainly not what you hope for from the outfield production as a whole. Across his 153 at-bats, 40 hits, two home runs and 17 RBIs. And just to make the point about Kepler and reinforce what I said in yesterday's video about the opportunities that he has seen, just take a peek at what these at-bats look like between the trio here. For Kepler specifically, we're talking about 235 at-bats. For Marsh, we're talking about 153. For Rojas, we're talking about 125. So for a guy who's being vocal about his frustrations for not being an everyday left fielder, the opportunity is there, my man. Go out and seize it, as the article did claim. Now, to bring it back to Rojas specifically here, it does feel like there's got to be another answer. And what is confusing to me in particular is this was a guy who was essentially rushed up to the Major Leagues. And there was a clear need for a defensive aid in centerfield, and this is dating back to the time where Kyle Schwarber was logging some left field opportunities, Nick Cassianos, we know the defensive concerns that can sneak in and be a part of the equation with him. So it was necessary to have a guy that was purely a plus centerfielder. Now with that said here, it is strange to me how we saw him skyrocket to the Major League at a rapid level, but then a guy like Justin Crawford still just down there. Now I'm firmly of the belief at this point that if the Phillies thought Justin Crawford was ready, he would be at the Major League level. It is clear that they do not quite believe that to be the case, even though the numbers kind of indicate that he is that so far this season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley in his 253 at bats, he's got 84 hits, 14 doubles, two home runs, 28 RBIs, 26 stolen bases. So good wheels on him as well. Also has walked 33 times and struck out 53. That is 332, 408 and 435 slashes. Now I understand that is not a one for one comparison for what he would be at the Major League level by any means there, but it is a little bit telling to me at this stage in the game that there hasn't even been really a whiff for a legitimate or credible report about them potentially bringing them up. Otto Kemp has hopped to the front of the line and I liked what Otto Kemp has brought to this Phillies team, but it is pretty clear watching him in left field that he is still learning on the fly. That is not his fault. He's an infielder by trade. He's a guy that is doing the right things by taking every single opportunity that is in front of him and wherever he can make his mark on this Phillies team. I rock with that from Otto, but there are still some larger questions and we still have some reports circling around, such as this coming from Bob Nightingale that the Phillies are quote, keeping closed tabs on outfield Luis Robert Jr there. The thing I'll say about that is he hasn't been a good baseball player in over a calendar year to this point that he was unbelievable during the first half of last season for that White Sox team and then kind of fell off a cliff. And at the time I was very much of the opinion that that is the move. This could be the swing and there's still plenty of youth. He could get better ultimately, but boy has he struggled since that point. Really since last year's trade deadline, he's been a below average MLB player and that does concern me for a team that needs to win right now. You don't have time to go through the growing pains as you were still doing with so many parts of this team, not just Rojas, but we're talking about the Trey Turner defensive issues that are a part of it. Alec Boehm, the power number is still not quite being there. Max Kepler, what's going on? There are a lot of questions within this team internally here. And I think that would be a bit too much of a variable to bring to the table. But I do think the answer is clear that you got to try something different within the outfield, that the equation, the options of what they have on the table, none of them are quite good enough in my mind. If this team has legitimate World Series aspirations that they straight up should right now. So we will see what happens from here. But I do think it is very interesting in telling that we're starting to get these certain rumblings and reports of frustrations internally with Johan Rojas to contrast this with Kepler. Once again, that is directly Kepler being frustrated with the Phillies, not the case with Johan Rojas. This is the Phillies being frustrated with Johan Rojas, which I think is something that has a bit more impact when viewing it, how things will play itself out. So shout out to Matt Gell for uncovering that. Very interesting that it's popping the surface and particularly before the trade deadline is here. I do wonder what the future has for each of these guys, Rojas in particular. It does feel like we're getting closer to the end of the road, whether that is in a trade package and sending him out there for a potential upgrade, whether it is sending him back down to the minor leagues and seeing if that is something where he can improve down there. I don't know exactly what is ultimately going to happen with this at this point. But I do feel a sense of there's a lot of moving parts within the outfield, a lot of opinions and frustration. And it feels like we're growing closer to action being taken to hopefully solve this problem that the Phillies are dealing with in the outfield. But ultimately, we're going to keep breaking things down from every single angle as they come out here on Phillies Digest. And one more time before I sign off to remind you guys, as always, to make sure you're subscribing to keep rocking with us again, 72.4% of you guys watching these videos have not subscribed just yet. So make sure you're keeping dabs right here on Phillies Digest. We're going to keep plugging along from start to finish this season. Appreciate you guys tuning into this video here. Make sure you're hitting that like button, dropping your thoughts below. I'll be back talking to you next time. Peace.