Game 153 - 2019 Topps #537 Ronald Torreyes

Phillies 12, Pirates 6
Game 153 - Thursday Night, September 23rd in Philadelphia
Record - 79-74, 2nd Place, 2 games behind the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies were able to overcome an early 6-0 deficit, as the bats came alive in this 12-6 romp over the Pirates.

What It Means:  Per this Tweet from Stats by STATS, this was the third time in September the Phillies came back from being down six runs or more to win, which is the most by any team in any month in the modern era of baseball.  The Braves lost their game to the Diamondbacks, meaning the Phillies moved up a game in the standings.

What Happened:  Aaron Nola dug the team an early hole, allowing five second inning runs and giving up a sixth run in the third inning.  But the Phillies scored five runs of their own in the bottom of the third, with a solo home run from Didi Gregorius, followed by RBIs from Jean Segura, Andrew McCutchen and Brad Miller.  In the bottom of the sixth, the Phillies took the lead for good on a dramatic, pinch-hit three-run home run from Ronald Torreyes.  They piled on after that with J.T. Realmuto adding a two-run home run in the seventh and a two-run single in the eighth.  New Pirates reliever Enyel De Los Santos surrendered the single to Realmuto.

Featured Card:  I'm hopeful Torreyes gets a Phillies card in the Topps Update set and as of right now, his most recent baseball card can be found in the 2019 Topps set back when he was with the Twins.

Transaction:  Cristopher Sanchez (lhp) was recalled from Lehigh Valley and Matt Moore (lhp) was placed on the injured list with a low back strain.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 115 - Introducing the 2022 Chachi Set Design

Phillies 2, Dodgers 1
Game 115 - Thursday Afternoon, August 12th in Philadelphia
Record - 60-55, 1st Place, 1/2 game ahead of the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Ranger Suarez and four Phillies relievers somehow combined to shut down the Dodgers in this 2-1 series finale win.

What It Means:  The Phillies maintain a slim lead in the East and they'll open a three-game series against the Reds on Friday night.

What Happened:  Suarez is slowly getting stretched out and he threw 4 1/3 innings and 82 pitches in this game, allowing a run on three hits.  Archie Bradley picked up the win with two perfect innings of work and Ian Kennedy battled the Dodgers and the home plate umpire to pick up his third Phillies save.  Bryce Harper hit a solo home run in the first and Ronald Torreyes had a clutch two-out single in the fourth to deliver the eventual winning run.

Featured Cards:  Earlier than ever, Topps released its first look at its 2022 flagship design back on July 15th.  Over the past several years, I've tried to reveal the design I'll be using for the next year's Chachi set a day or two after Topps' big announcement, but this year work and a family vacation put me behind schedule.  But now, I'm happy to announce my Chachi custom baseball card set will be heading to the 2000s for the first time in 2022, paying tribute to the underrated (in my opinion) 2000 set.  I hinted at my leaning towards the 2000 set in last year's announcement post, and in the end it came down to that design or the designs for the 1972, 1984 or 1987 Topps sets.

I wanted to put some distance between using the 1972 design and this year's Topps Heritage set, as well as the 1987 design and Topps paying tribute to that set with its own 2022 insert releases.  The 1984 set's design would be easy enough to replicate but finding two photos of some of the players could pose a challenge.  So in the end, the 2000 Topps set won out and I'm excited to take this step into the future . . . relatively speaking.

Here's a look at potential future Chachi set candidates, and I'm getting close to the point where I'll run out of 1970s and 1980s Topps designs to use:

1965 - My favorite Topps design from the 1960s and the subject of this other blog of mine.
1972 - The only set design from the 1970s I've not used yet.  Will 2023 finally be the year for this groovy set?
1984, 1987, 1989 - Or will 2023 be the year I tackle the two-photo challenge of the 1984 set.
2001, 2006, 2008 - Over the past few years, I've really come to appreciate the designs of the 2006 and 2008 sets.
Other Future Candidates - 1981 Donruss, 1981 Fleer, 1982 Donruss, 1983 Fleer, 1985 Fleer, 1987 Donruss

For a complete visual summary of past years' Chachi sets, please see here.

Memory Lane
2014 Chachi Preview #1 (8/8/13)
2015 Chachi Preview #1 (8/15/14)
2016 Chachi Preview #1 (8/11/15)
2017 Chachi Preview #1 (8/10/16)
2018 Chachi Preview #1 (8/7/17)
2019 Chachi Preview #1 (8/20/18)
2020 Chachi Preview #1 (8/2/19)
2021 Chachi Preview #1 (8/7/20)

2022 Chachi Preview #1 (8/13/21)

Transactions:  David Paulino (rhp), who last pitched in the majors in 2018, had his contract selected from Lehigh Valley and Nick Maton (inf) was optioned back down.  Sam Coonrod (rhp) was moved to the 60-day injured list to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for Paulino.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 97 - Utility Player Torreyes Named Latest Phillies Room Favorite

Braves 15, Phillies 3
Game 97 - Saturday Night, July 24th in Philadelphia
Record - 48-49, Tied for 2nd Place, 4 games behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  Vince Velasquez managed 53 pitches before getting yanked and the Phillies were demolished by the Braves, 15-3.

What It Means:  We need two, maybe three more starting pitchers if the Phillies are going to be considered serious contenders.

What Happened:  Velasquez was hit early and often, allowing six runs on five hits including two home runs.  Brandon Kintzler lowered his ERA to 6.91 but allowed both of his inherited runners to score.  Enyel De Los Santos gave up four more runs in his mop-up duties, and his ERA is now an unsightly 8.31.  How those three pitchers are still on the Phillies' pitching staff is a mystery to me.  Andre McCutchen had three hits, but the offense overall went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base.

Featured Card:  Ronald Torreyes is one of the best things to happen to the Phillies this season.  A surprise addition to the opening day roster, Torreyes has played himself into an everyday job, be it at shortstop or third base.  He's also made appearances at second base and center field, and in this game he made his second pitching appearance of the season.  Torreyes recorded the final five outs of the game, getting hit around a bit in the process, but truly taking one for the team.

Transaction:  The Phillies claimed Tyler Phillips (rhp) off waivers from the Texas Rangers.  Pitching for Double-A and Triple-A this season in the Rangers system, Phillips was 1-5 with a 6.75 ERA in nine starts and 10 games overall.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

Game 42 - 2017 Topps Update #US54 Ronald Torreyes

Phillies 8, Marlins 3
Game 42 - Tuesday Night, May 18th in Philadelphia
Record - 22-20, 2nd Place, 1 game behind the Mets

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies offense unloaded for seven runs in the eighth inning, turning a nail-biter into a laugher with this 8-3 victory.

What It Means:  The offense banged out seven hits and two walks in the big inning.

What Happened:  In quick succession:  Rhys Hoskins singled, Alec Bohm doubled Hoskins home, Odubel Herrera reached on an infield single, Andrew Knapp walked, Nick Maton singled to score Bohm and tie the game at 3-3.  Pinch-hitter Ronald Torreyes doubled home Herrera and Knapp as the Phillies took the lead, Andrew McCutchen walked, Jean Segura reached on another infield chopper with Maton scoring, Bruce Harper singled home two more.  It was a good inning.

Zack Wheeler allowed one unearned run and struck out ten in his impressive seven innings of work.  Archie Bradley was the beneficiary of his first Phillies win.

Featured Card:  A long-time favorite of manager Joe Girardi, Torreyes delivered the eventual game-winning hit in this game, coming off the bench in a key spot.  I'm hoping he finds himself into either 2021 Topps Update or Topps Heritage High Numbers in a Phillies uniform.

Transactions:  As expected, there were quite a few roster moves prior to the game.  Bradley (rhp) and Torreyes (inf) were both activated from the injured list.  Didi Gregorius (ss) and Scott Kingery (inf) took their places, with Gregorius suffering from a right elbow injury and Kingery out because of concussion protocols.  In the worst news, it was announced JoJo Romero (lhp) was moved to the 60-day injured list and he'll undergo Tommy John surgery.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

2021 Chachi #12 Ronald Torreyes

#74
Ronald Alcides Torreyes
Infield

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'8"  Weight:  155
Opening Day Age:  28
Born:  September 2, 1992, Libertador de Barinas, VZ
How Obtained:  Signed as a minor league free agent, January 2, 2020
Contract Status:  Signed through 2021
Major League Teams:  Los Angeles Dodgers 2015; New York Yankees 2016-2018; Minnesota Twins 2019; Philadelphia Phillies 2020-

First Phillies Card:  N/A
First Phillies Minor League Card:  N/A
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  N/A

Newest Card Added:  N/A

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (3):  2017-2019

0 - Torreyes baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 4/18/21.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2020 Chachi #50
2021 Chachi #12

Ronald Torreyes had his contract selected last season on September 11th, replacing Neil Walker on the active roster when Walker was designated for assignment.  Torreyes, who has played previously with manager Joe Girardi when both were with the Yankees, was the final player to make the team's opening day roster this season.  Collectors are still waiting for his first official Phillies baseball card.

Torreyes is the second player in franchise history to wear #74, following in the footsteps of relief pitcher Ugueth Urbina who first wore the number briefly in 2005.

2021 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2021 Season Summary Index / 2021 Chachi Set Checklist

First Four Non-Roster Invitees Announced

2019 Topps Heritage #642

2016 Topps Heritage #221

2016 Topps Heritage #632

2012 Topps Heritage #143

If and when spring training happens in a few months, the Phillies will have at least four non-roster invitees suiting up in Clearwater.  That number is sure to grow, but it's always a good sign when non-roster invitee news starts to hit.  The Phillies announced these four names on Monday, a few weeks behind the pace of prior years.  For comparison purposes, the first four non-roster invitees were announced last year on December 20th.

Ronald Torreyes is the only returning Phillies player from 2020, for now, although Christian Bethancourt was in Clearwater with the club last spring before seemingly disappearing.  Neftali Feliz is a nine-year veteran, making the All-Star team and winning the Rookie of the Year Award in 2010 while with the Rangers.  He last pitched in the majors in 2017 with the Royals.  The 6'7" Michael Ynoa also last pitched in the majors in 2017, when he appeared in 22 games for the White Sox.

Player (position) - 2020 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card Appearance

1.  Christian Bethancourt (c) - N/A - 2017 Topps #697 (Padres)

2.  Ronald Torreyes (inf) - Phillies - 2019 Topps #537 (Twins)

3.  Michael Ynoa (rhp) - N/A - 2016 Topps Heritage High Numbers #632 (White Sox)

4.  Neftali Feliz (rhp) - N/A - 2017 Topps Update #US117 (Royals)

2020 Chachi #50 Ronald Torreyes

#74
Ronald Alcides Torreyes
Infield

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'8"  Weight:  155
Opening Day Age:  27
Born:  September 2, 1992, Libertador de Barinas, VZ
How Obtained:  Signed as a minor league free agent, January 2, 2020
Contract Status:  Signed through 2020
Major League Teams:  Los Angeles Dodgers 2015; New York Yankees 2016-2018; Minnesota Twins 2019; Philadelphia Phillies 2020

First Phillies Card:  N/A
First Phillies Minor League Card:  N/A
First Phillies Team Issued Card:  N/A

Newest Card Added:  N/A

Topps Flagship Set Appearances (3):  2017-2019

0 - Torreyes baseball cards in my collection per The Phillies Room Checklist as of 9/12/20.

Complete Chachi Checklist
2020 Chachi #50

Ronald Torreyes had his contract selected on September 11th, replacing Neil Walker on the active roster as Walker was designated for assignment.  Torreyes, who has played previously with manager Joe Girardi when both were with the Yankees, provides more versatility in the field than Walker could.

As a non-roster invitee, Torreyes had worn #74 during spring training and I had assumed he would take a lower number once he joined the Phillies.  I assumed incorrectly, and he becomes the second player in franchise history to wear #74, following in the footsteps of Ugueth Urbina who first wore the number in 2005.

2020 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2020 Season Summary Index / 2020 Chachi Set Checklist

Non-Roster Invitee List - 21 and Done?

2017 Topps Heritage #99

2017 Topps Heritage #694

In early January, various Twitter reports announced the signings of catcher Christian Bethancourt and infielder Ronald Torreyes to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training.  As the Phillies website just recently added these two players to their official Transactions listing and the Non-Roster section of the team's roster, I wanted to give them their due here as well.

Bethancourt is a veteran of five big league seasons, having last appeared in 2017 with the Padres.  He'll be the fourth potential backup catcher in camp along with Andrew Knapp, Deivy Grullon and Henri Lartigue.  Torreyes has also played in parts of five seasons in the Majors, and he appeared in seven games last year with the Twins.  He appeared in 108 games for the Yankees in 2017, hitting .292.

With the start of spring training now 3 weeks away, and barring a trade, the Phillies' roster seems set with 61 players scheduled to suit up in Clearwater.

Player (position) - 2019 Organization - Last Major Baseball Card Appearance

1.  Phil Gosselin (inf) - Phillies - 2017 Topps Heritage #135 (Diamondbacks)

2.  Josh Harrison (inf) - Tigers - 2019 Topps Heritage #552 (Tigers)

3.  Mikie Mahtook (of) - Tigers - 2019 Topps #477 (Tigers)

4.  Matt Szczur (of) - Diamondbacks - 2018 Topps Heritage #528 (Padres)
5.  Christian Bethancourt (c) - NC Dinos (Korea) - 2017 Topps #697 (Padres)
6.  Ronald Torreyes (inf) - Twins - 2019 Topps #537 (Twins)

Player (position) - 2019 Organization - Last Card Added to Collection

7.  Alec Bohm (inf) - Phillies - 2019 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #1

8.  Connor Brogdon (rhp) - Phillies - 2019 Grandstand Clearwater Threshers #44

9.  Kyle Dohy (lhp) - Phillies - 2019 R-Phils Phillies Top 25 Prospects #5

10.  Tyler Gilbert (lhp) - Phillies - 2019 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #10
11.  Darick Hall (1b) - Phillies - 2019 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #7
12.  Spencer Howard (rhp) - Phillies - 2019 Topps Heritage Minor League #27
13.  Damon Jones (lhp) - Phillies - 2018 Choice Lakewood BlueClaws #13
14.  Henri Lartigue (c) - Phillies - 2019 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #12
15.  Austin Listi (1b-of) - Phillies - 2019 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #13
16.  Nick Maton (ss) - Phillies - 2019 Grandstand Clearwater Threshers #6
17.  Mickey Moniak (of) - Phillies - 2019 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #15
18.  Ramon Rosso (rhp) - Phillies - 2019 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #19
19.  Addison Russ (rhp) - Phillies - 2019 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #20
20.  Zach Warren (lhp) - Phillies - 2019 Grandstand Clearwater Threshers #33
21.  Luke Williams (inf-of) - Phillies - 2019 Choice Reading Fightin Phils #23