Initial Thoughts on Philadelphia Phillies First Spring Training Game

The Philadelphia Phillies had their first Grapefruit League action on Saturday afternoon as they took down the New York Yankees.

Kade Kistner | Feb 26, 2023

Initial Thoughts on Philadelphia Phillies First Spring Training Game /

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The Philadelphia Phillies had their first competitive action of the spring when they defeated the New York Yankees 7-4 in Grapefruit League action on Saturday. Most of the Phillies starters sat this one out, which is not unusual considering how early it is in spring.

But names like Alec Bohm, Brandon Marsh, and Edmundo Sosa each got in a couple of at-bats before being pulled.

Marsh started off his promising spring going 2-for-2 with a walk. The center fielder is looking to improve on his 2022 MLB season, in which he was traded from the Los Angeles Angels to Philadelphia at the trade deadline.

The most impressive performance at the plate was Weston Wilson, who also went 2-for-2 with four RBIs, a walk, and a home run. Wilson signed a minor league contract with the Phillies last month and is seen as a longshot to make the roster.

However, of he continues to string together performances like Saturday's, it will be hard to deny the 28-year-old third baseman.

On the mound, Nick Nelson looked good for his one inning of work all factors considered. Being so early, his command and control was a little off, but he worked through traffic to complete a scoreless inning.

Nelson is competing for the fifth spot in the rotation as well as a spot on the 26-man roster.

Perhaps the most impressive feat of the afternoon was that Philadelphia violated exactly zero violations of the newly imposed rules from MLB.

The Phillies will suit up against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. EST while shortstop Trea Turner makes his debut for Philadelphia.

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Published Feb 26, 2023

KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.