PHILLIES PHODDER

The Phils finally beat up on the Mets last night in New York, 9-1. Some highlights:

* J.P. Crawford played his first major league game and got a bloop single. He ;looked smooth at third base. Will he stay there? Manager Pete Mackanin said he plans to use the shortstop of the future all over the infield. The point is to keep his bat in the line-up.  I agree. We know what Galvis, Hernandez and Franco can and can't do. We need to get a taste of Crawford's ability before the off-season and spring training.

* The kids continue to do well. Rhys Hoskins got two more hits against the Mets, plus two walks. Nick Williams continues to be clutch, slashing a bases-clearing double. Williams now has 38 RBIs, which is more since July 1 then expected rookie of the year Cody Bellinger of the Dodgers. Catcher Jorge Alfaro is hitting over .360.  Can't wait to see Dylan Cozens come up after Lehigh Valley is done in their playoffs.

So much for GM Matt Klentak's fear that the prospects would fail and have to be demoted.

* The young pitchers have had their ups and downs this season, but lately Pivetta, Lively and Thompson have pitched well. Now is the time for these kids to make a pitch (pardon the pun to be in the rotation in 2018.I agree that the staff needs at least two veterans to round out the rotation. But it's good to see the young guys finally stepping up.

* The Phils finally beat Mets ace Jacob deGrom, who was undefeated all-time against Philadelphia. Admittedly he is a great young pitcher, and has remained healthy for New York whereas guys like Synderguard and Harvey have been on the disabled list. Most of all, a Phillies victory over the Mets helps to quiet the obnoxious New York fans.

* Other than bringing energy to the team, the prospects like Hoskins, Crawford, Williams and Alfaro have made the vets such as Rupp, Herrera, Galvis and Hernandez step up their game. Competition is good. I see a hell of a spring training in Clearwater coming up. No job is safe, a sit should be with a team that will lose 100 games.

* I want to see Scott Kingery bad. He seems to have all the tools- power, speed, defensive. Problem is, even if Kingery has an outstanding spring, we may not see him until May 1. Holding him down until then gives the organization an extra year of control over Kingery.

Would the Phillies keep Hernandez, then bring Kingery up in May and trade Hernandez?

* One thing that has come out of the season is the bullpen. Is Neris a true closer or a set-up guy? Can Vince Valasquez be the closer of the future? The lefty combo of Adam Morgan and Toby Milner have been great in middle relief. Guys like Pinto, Ramos and Rios will sort themselves out in time. But at least the bullpen seems more stable than it did early in the season.