Mailbag: Hamels OK to handle Majors?

02/06/2006
Maybe you've answered this before, but is Cole Hamels anywhere near Major League-ready? Will he be given a shot to make the roster at Spring Training?-- Carl J., Philadelphia
No one questions whether the Phillies' top pitching prospect has the stuff to dominate Major League hitters. The problem is always going to be his health, especially his back. The prized lefty was diagnosed with a back condition he'll likely have to deal with his entire career. He had a cortisone shot in December, and an MRI last week that showed nothing different. He's been doing exercises to stabilize his lower back and throwing on flat ground.
On to your question, the Phillies don't believe Hamels will be ready to start the season, let alone be in the big-league rotation. Hamels disputes this notion and plans to be ready for the start of the season. Elbow, hand and back injuries have limited him to just 10 starts over the last two years, so the team will be cautious. Hamels is expected to start at Double-A Reading, and he could appear in the Majors at some point this season.
What impact, if any, is Eude Brito expected to make this year?-- Kevin S., Philadelphia
Barring an injury or two, Brito is an unlikely candidate for the rotation, despite the lack of a left-handed starter. In a cruel twist, the fact that he's left-handed may hurt his chances of making the team as a reliever, since the Phillies already have Arthur Rhodes, Aaron Fultz and Rheal Cormier, and they are unlikely to go with four southpaws. If Brito winds up at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and pitches well there (in a starting role, most likely), he could poke his head in the Major Leagues at some point this season.
Who would you rather have as a backup catcher, Sal Fasano or Carlos Ruiz?--Kyle M., Dupont, Pa.
As a fan of pitching and defense, I'd have a slight preference for Ruiz, though he'd still have to hit enough to not be a liability. Ruiz showed that ability last season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and he had a good showing in winter ball. After a two at-bat stint in 2002, Fasano resurfaced in the big leagues in 2005, hitting 11 homers with the Orioles last season. It's likely that manager Charlie Manuel will go with Fasano, and Ruiz's time could come in 2007, after Mike Lieberthal departs as a free agent.
What is the status of Mike Costanzo? Is he the future at third base?--Daniel E., West Chester, Pa.
The Phillies hope so. Their first pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft (drafted in the second round) had a nice first professional season at Class A Batavia, hitting .274 with 11 homers in 281 at-bats. That future, however, is at least two years away, and more likely, three to four. In the meantime, the Phillies will have to find someone else to replace David Bell after this season.
How does the acquisition of Rhodes affect the other two lefties in the bullpen, Fultz and Cormier? Will one of them be traded for a fifth outfielder with speed?-- Colin W., Moorestown, N.J.
While allowing for the possibility of a trade changing the equation, I'll answer the question as if they're all going to be members of the bullpen. Rhodes' arrival appears to affect the bullpen in the same way Wagner's did. Wagner was a closer who just happened to be left-handed. Rhodes falls into the same classification, except he's the setup man. Of course, there will be certain situations when Manuel will want to go with a righty in a crucial spot late in the game -- and he'll have to find that guy -- but he's said that he wants Rhodes to be his eighth-inning guy. Fultz and Cormier fall into the sixth- and seventh-inning situational scenarios. Each could be called on for a batter or an inning, depending on the situation and how they've been pitching.
What about the whole situation with Pat Burrell moving to first base when a lefty starts because Ryan Howard didn't do too well against lefties? -- Andrew S., Philadelphia, Pa.
I've answered this one before, but it's been asked a lot since, so I'll tackle it again.
While Manuel plans to play Howard every day at first, and the manager is confident Howard will hit left-handed pitching, putting Burrell at first base occasionally was one idea he came up with over the winter. He hadn't discussed it with Burrell, and may actually not put it into action this season.
One potential reason was to ease Howard's transition to everyday first baseman. Another was to find more outfield at-bats for Jason Michaels, and that is now Indians manager Eric Wedge's problem. If Burrell remains in left field, perhaps Abraham Nunez, Tomas Perez or Chase Utley will occasionally shift to first. The Utley option is doubtful, but it's an option, nonetheless.
What are your expectations for Shane Victorino? I think he could be a great everyday replacement should the Phillies trade Bobby Abreu.-- Lindsay U., Folsom, Pa.
I respectfully disagree with you on this one. While Victorino opened some eyes with a strong season at Triple-A, he wouldn't do well on an everyday basis, and wouldn't come close to replacing Abreu.
Despite a wonderful Minor League season, Victorino projects as a fourth outfielder. The Phillies like him there because he can play all three spots well, and he provides switch-hitting ability and some speed off the bench. Victorino needs to produce more consistently at the Major League level before I'm convinced. Of course, he's young and is certainly capable.

Source: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/