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Phillies will have No. 8 pick in 2017 MLB Draft

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By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

After picking No. 1 overall in the past summer's MLB Draft, the Philadelphia Phillies will hold the No. 8 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. 

The Phillies are slotted eighth in the draft because they finished with the eighth worst record in the league.

The Minnesota Twins, who finished with a 59-103 record, will own the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. The Atlanta Braves will have the No. 5 overall pick, the highest of any team in the National League East, after winning just 68 games in 2016. 

In recent seasons, the Phillies have had tremendous success with the first round picks. J.P. Crawford, who was No. 16 overall pick in 2013, has developed into one of the top prospects in all of baseball. Aaron Nola, though injuries caused him to have a disappointing season in 2016, has flashed front of the rotation type potential after being selected with the No. 7 overall pick in 2014. Cornelius Randolph was selected with the 10th overall pick in 2015, is already ranked as the organization's fifth best prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. And Mickey Moniak, who was the No. 1 overall pick this summer, is ranked as the organization's No. 2 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, behind the aforementioned Crawford.

The MLB Draft's exact date for 2017 isn't set, though the event normally takes place in June.  

Phillies rumors: Club unlikely to make long-term commitments this off-season

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By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

While there has been some sentiment expressed from both Philadelphia Phillies fans and manager Pete Mackanin about adding veteran bats to the team for 2017, it appears that the club is less than likely to add anyone of significance this off-season. 

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Phillies, who aren't short on available funds, may not sit free-agency out, but they aren't likely to make any big splashes in free-agency: 

Phillies won't retain hitting coach Steve Henderson

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By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

Well, that was quick. 

Within an hour of the Philadelphia Phillies 2016 season drawing to a close, Jim Salisbury of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia is reporting that the Phillies do not plan to retain hitting coach Steve Henderson: 

The phillies will not bring back hit coach Steve Henderson

— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN) October 2, 2016

Though the Phillies finished the 2016 season with eight more wins than 2015, their team offense was probably the worst in the entire league. The team finished the 2016 campaign 30th in runs scored, 29th in team batting average, 29th in on-base percentage and 30th in slugging percentage. 

Admittedly, the Phillies didn't have a ton of offensive talent to work with, though the stalled developments of both Maikel Franco and Odubel Herrera probably sealed the fate of Henderson. 

Henderson, 63, has been in the Phillies organization since 2010 and has served as the team's hitting coach for the past four seasons. 

Internally, the Phillies seem to lack an obvious choice to replace Henderson, so his replacement is likely to be someone from outside the organization. Some have speculated that announcer Matt Stairs could be a candidate. 

It's unclear whether the rest of manager Pete Mackanin's staff will return for the 2017 season. 

Ryan Howard hit his first and last Phillies home runs against Mets

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By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard spoke on numerous occasions Sunday afternoon, in what was likely his final game with the club that he's spent his entire career with. 

One of those occasions that Howard spoke was to the collective media after the game, where he reminded the media that he hit both his first, and likely last, home runs with the club against the New York Mets. 

Howard's first career home run came on Sept. 11, 2001, while he donned No. 12, at Shea Stadium against the New York Mets. 

Following that home run, Howard won a Rookie of the Year, the National League MVP, and lead the Phillies to five National League East titles and a World Series title.

He also hit 380 more home runs before things came full circle and he hit his 382, and likely final, home run with the club Saturday. 

The differences between the two home runs are noticeable. Howard hit his first home run in Shea Stadium, which last housed the Mets in 2008. He hit his final home run in the Phillies cream alternate home jersey, which didn't exist until 2008, four seasons after he hit his first home run with the club. He also cut his number in half to what eventually became his iconic No. 6, a number that no one is likely to wear in Philadelphia for some time to come. 

Howard finished his Phillies career Sunday with 382 home runs, which puts him within striking distance of 400 home runs, should he continue his career in 2017. Those 18 home runs would have to come in a different jersey, however, something Howard, who has spent his entire career to this point with the Phillies, has obviously never done. 

Phillies video: Club-issued Ryan Howard tribute

Prior to this afternoon's Philadelphia Phillies-New York Mets matchup, the Phillies held a ceremony honoring Ryan Howard, who is playing his final game with the club he's spent his entire career with this afternoon. 

Besides the video, partner John S. Middleton and chairman David Montgomery presented Howard with a glove that features some of his best moments with the team, the team put a plaque where Howard hit his 58th home run in 2006 and Howard spoke to fans for over three minutes. 

The Phillies pre-game ceremony did not include tributes from former teammates, though both Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley issued statements praising Howard for his contributions to the Phillies organization.