After the Phillies designated first baseman Tommy Joseph for assignment, the Texas Rangers have swooped in and claimed the slugger. The 26-year-old didn't really have a place in Philly with the signing of Carlos Santana and emergence of Rhys Hoskins, and Texas can deploy the unathletic hitter as a pure designated hitter. It is unlikely that Joseph would take away playing time from Joey Gallo or any of the Rangers more decorated hitters, but if he can rediscover the form that had him on pace for 40 home runs over a full season in 2016, he'll certainly be able to carve out a role. With that said, at this point, Joseph represents little more than a depth piece for fantasy owners in AL-only leagues. He's undraftable in most leagues and is currently being drafted in late reserve rounds, if at all. Pass on him on draft day but throw him on your watch list and keep an eye on if he finds his stride.
Following the signing of former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, the Philadelphia Phillies designated first baseman Tommy Joseph for assignment to make room on the roster. The 26-year-old former starter has been on a steady decline following an abysmal 2017 season. The clubs acquisition of Carlos Santana meant Joseph had lost his job as a starter, with a backup infielder and outfield role more likely. After the signing of Arrieta, Joseph's future with the Phillies appears to be non-existent. This spring, Joseph tried his best at the plate, hitting .429 through 21 plate appearances, but it wasn't enough.
After almost leaving for Asia during the offseason, first basemanTommy Joseph arrived at spring training with his role for the Philadelphia Phillies not exactly defined. After all, the club signed Carlos Santana to take over first base duties, and Joseph has even seen time in an already packed outfield in a bid for playing time. His bat, however, has done the talking thus far. Heading into Sunday, the 26-year-old had played in 11 games so far, hitting .429 with three doubles. While he still has a very complicated path to consistent playing time, Joseph has done enough to earn a spot on the roster for Opening Day, which is now under three weeks away.
After spending last season as the starting first baseman of the Philadelphia Phillies, Tommy Joseph finds himself fighting for a spot in 2018. The 26-year-old hit .240 with 22 home runs and 69 RBI in 142 games last season, but will give way to newly-signed Carlos Santana this upcoming season. As a result, the Phillies have been experimenting this Spring by putting Joseph in the outfield. While the club is also loaded in the outfield, it may give him a better shot of having a spot on the roster come Opening Day. Joseph has picked up four hits in six plate appearances thus far.
Maikel Franco, Tommy Joseph Sitting Against Dodgers
Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco and first baseman Tommy Joseph are out of the lineup Thursday. This is likely to be the norm for the rest of the season with the Phillies riding Rhys Hoskins and shortstop prospect J.P. Crawford. That obviously makes Franco and Joseph unreliable in most fantasy leagues. Crawford is starting at the hot corner and batting eighth, while Hoskins is at first base and hitting cleanup against Dodgers starter Kenta Maeda. Crawford doesn't have much power and is a low-upside DFS pick, while Hoskins is a must-start with the way he's mashing the ball.
Tommy Joseph, whose future prospects as starting first baseman of the Philadelphia Phillies seem to be declining by the day, had a pair of keys moment tonight against the Los Angeles Dodgers. His first big moment came in the second inning, as an RBI double scored the game's first run, putting his club on top. In the seventh inning, with the game tied at 4, he stepped up to the plate fresh off of Aaron Altherr's clutch, game-tying home run. Putting forth another productive plate appearance, he drilled a solo home run to left field, putting the Phillies back ahead. Joseph is hitting .239 this season with 22 home runs and 38 RBI.
Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco and first baseman Tommy Joseph are not starting Tuesday. Prospect J.P. Crawford is starting at the hot corner and batting seventh, while Rhys Hoskins is at first base and hitting cleanup against Dodgers starter Yu Darvish. Franco has had a disappointing season and could see more frequent days off with Philly seeing what they have in Crawford. Joseph will also play sparingly in the final two weeks with Aaron Altherr back from the disabled list. Crawford is a weak DFS play, but Hoskins has done nothing but hit since his call-up and is a must-play.
Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez and first baseman Tommy Joseph are not in the lineup Monday. Hernandez, a lefty, is receiving the day off against Dodgers southpaw Clayton Kershaw, while Joseph's playing time is expected to continue dwindling in the final couple weeks with outfielder Aaron Altherr back in the fold. Shortstop prospect J.P. Crawford is playing second and hitting seventh, while Rhys Hoskins is at first base and batting cleanup. No player is a good option against Kershaw, but Hoskins remains tough to bench given the prodigious power he's shown since his call-up. Crawford is a poor DFS choice.
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph will rest Thursday evening versus the Miami Marlins. Infielder/outfielder Rhys Hoskins will slide over to first base and outfielder Daniel Nava will take his spot in the lineup and bat fifth. Nava is hitting .298 for the season and is worth consideration versus Miami Marlins starter Odrisamer Despaigne.
After two scoreless innings this afternoon between the Phillies and Braves, Philadelphia scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning. The first runs came off the bat of first baseman Tommy Joseph, who batted cleanup. With a couple of runners on, Tommy Joseph singled to right, driving in the game's first run. In the following inning he did the same, driving in another run. For the afternoon, the 26-year-old picked up three hits, driving the aforementioned two runs as the Phillies pulled out a 7-6 victory. For the season, Joseph is now hitting .256 with 16 home runs and 53 RBI.
