Now Ryan Howard is Carrying the Phillies Big Stick

When it comes to dissecting the 2006 Philadelphia Phillies and their chances to compete in the postseason for the first time since 1993, there may not be a single player on the entire roster whose contributions are going to be more significant than those of first baseman, Ryan Howard.

I know that may sound like a lot of pressure on a player who will only be entering his second full season of starting in the major leagues, but it is evident that Howard has the ability to potentially carry the Phillies through – or end – any slump they might endure, with one mighty swing of the bat.

Let me explain my reasoning on why Howard’s contributions may be more important this season than any other Phillies field-position player.

Looking at the infield, it looks like the Phillies are finally beginning the process to rid themselves of the albatross that has been David Bell. Succinctly, I say that whatever production they get out of third base this season, will be a vast improvement over the production they have received the past couple of seasons.

However, I must also say that it is a shame to see this franchise struggle so badly to acquire an above average third-baseman when the greatest third-baseman of all-time (Mike Schmidt) spent his entire career in Philadelphia magically plying his trade to hordes of ungrateful fans for nearly two decades.

At shortstop, the Phillies are in good shape for at least the next half-decade with an ever improving Jimmy Rollins. At second base, I think it is pretty evident that Chase Utley is the real deal. If he performs anywhere near the level he displayed in 2005 – and I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t - then the Phillies can expect at least 25-30 homers and somewhere between 75-90 RBI, outstanding numbers for a second baseman.