Phillies should embrace a full youth movement in 2016

EARLIER THIS WEEK, I was listening to the radio and a song came on by Timbuk 3 titled, "The Future's So Bright." Truth be told, the song is fairly crappy, but it has one great lyric, "the future's so bright, I gotta wear shades."

As is often the case when I listen to music, I thought about the relevance of that phrase to life, and particularly, sports. I thought about which Philadelphia professional team it would apply to. Probably not to the somewhat disappointing (at this point) Eagles, or the Flyers or 76ers, whose futures look murky at best. Then my mind wandered to those Fightin Phils, who by the time the season ends tomorrow might have 100 losses.

Despite this pathetic record, somewhere around midseason, with the trades of Cole Hamels, Chase Utley and Ben Revere, the Phillies began to accumulate young players with real potential. Additionally, their 2014 first-round draft choice, Aaron Nola, has turned out better than we hoped. Then a brilliant thought struck me, though I must admit that many of my brilliant thoughts turn out to be less than stellar. Fortunately for all of us, as mayor and governor, I had a great staff that persuaded me not to pursue most of them. Now I am just a columnist, with free rein to spout anything I want. So here goes.

The 2016 edition of the Phillies should be the youngest team in major league baseball and perhaps the youngest in history. They should jettison their older retreads who have no future (Aaron Harang, Chad Billingsley, Dustin McGowan, Jerome Williams, Domonic Brown and even the gallant Jeff Francoeur). They should populate the major league roster with youngsters who are full of potential, but, who, under a more conventional approach, might spend another year in the minors.

Let's put this young team together and not worry about whether the Phillies lose 95 or 100 games next year or 85 to 90 the following year. This early exposure to the major leagues will help them reach their full potential, and by playing together for a number of years, they will develop great camaraderie.

My roster to start the 2016 season would feature a pitching staff made up of Aaron Nola (22 years old), Jerad Eickhoff (25), Alec Asher (24), Zach Eflin (21), Ben Lively (24), Jake Thompson (22), Adam Morgan (26), Severino Gonzalez (23), Tom Windle (24), Elvis Araujo (24) and Ken Giles (25). The last four will constitute the bullpen and be supplemented by whoever of the first seven don't make the starting rotation.

The Phillies expected Nola to be a middle-of-the-rotation big-league starter, but his 6-2 record and 3.59 ERA this season make it clear he can be a legitimate No. 1. In 77 2/3 innings, he had 68 strikeouts and only 19 walks. Morgan was with the team for more than half the season and showed he can be a capable No. 5. Eickhoff and Thompson also look like more than capable big-league starters. In a brief stint at Lehigh Valley, Eickhoff was brilliant and in eight starts with the Phillies, compiling a 2.65 ERA and striking out almost one batter per inning. Thompson might turn out to be the gem of a very good group the Phillies got from Texas in the Hamels trade; in seven starts in Reading, he was 5-1 with a 1.80 ERA.

My roster would feature three catchers: Cameron Rupp, Tommy Joseph (24) and Andrew Knapp (who turns 24 next month). One of them, probably Joseph, also will need to learn how to play first base.

At first base would be Darin Ruf (29), whose play in the last month convinces me he deserves a full year as an everyday starter. At second base would be Cesar Hernandez (25), whose play this year earned him the full-time job. At third base would be future superstar Maikel Franco (23), and shortstop would be top minor league prospect, J.P. Crawford (who turns 21 in January).

The outfield would be Aaron Altherr (25 in January) in right, Odubel Herrera (24 in December) in center and Nick Williams (22) in left. Herrera had a great year as a Rule 5 draftee who is still just under .300. Altherr hit well in every level of the minors and had a great September with the Phils, hitting five home runs in 36 games and fielding brilliantly wherever he played. Williams will turn out to be the other star acquired in the Hamels trade. In 22 games and 97 at-bats in Reading, he hit five doubles and four homers, and batted .320.

On the bench would be Cody Asche (25), Darnell Sweeney (25 in February), Freddy Galvis (26 next month), and our one elder statesman, Andres Blanco (31). All four bench players are capable of playing infield and outfield, giving the Phillies tremendous flexibility.

In addition to great youth and enthusiasm, this team would have speed, versatility and would not be burdened by the morose aura created by the last few dismal years.

Will they be green? Sure! Will they make mistakes? You can bet on it! Will they experience growing pains? Absolutely? Will this group develop into a payoff contender? I believe the answer is yes, especially with the first pick in the 2016 draft joining the team soon.

On the count of three, Philly fans: Get out those shades!