Good morning!

Sports Illustrated published their Phillies’ 2019 preview today, and in the lengthy story is a section called “SCOUT’S TAKES,” where a ‘rival scout analyzes the Philadelphia Phillies heading into the 2019 MLB season.’

In that section is a passage that reads like this:

Name the guy (or guys) on this team you would never want in your clubhouse

Herrera. I’m an old-school guy who likes guys who run balls out and run off and on the field and are focused on playing the game the right way. He’s the antithesis of Brett Gardner. He’s like a clown. From what I understand, it was a controversial signing internally, because none of their baseball people could stomach him, but Matt Klentak liked him because he’s a likable goofball kid. So they ended up putting the cash in his pocket, and what they’ve gotten out of it is a f——- dog who’s hurt them more than helped them.

That’s, uh, pretty damning.

Here’s another passage later on in the story:

Whose effort could use a jolt? 

Herrera.

And this is also in there, after the jump:

Who gets the least out of his talent?

Herrera and Vince Velasquez. I saw Velasquez’s 16-strikeout game three years ago, you’re like, ‘this is Verlander-type stuff’ and you’re going, ‘holy s—, this guy’s going to be really good.’ But every year he’s pushing a 5.00 ERA. Some guys never figure out how to pitch. It’s not about how hard you throw every pitch, it’s where you throw it and sequencing them and being smart enough to make smart pitches. He’s just never developed in that area.

Seems like this anonymous scout does not like Odubel Herrera and is just sort of an asshole in general.

Thoughts?