[UPDATED] Philadelphia Jersey Power Rankings 2015

[UPDATED AS OF AUGUST 4}

Here is Jawnville’s Philly 2015 Jersey Power Rankings. Let’s face it, jerseys cost way too much. You can shell out the cash for a jersey, sometimes six figures, and then have your player leave town in a year. That’s a poor investment. The jersey is often the most expensive wardrobe purchase most guys I know make of their own free will. This Power Ranking hopes to minimize the financial risks of these completely necessary, yet unnecessary, purchases. Nobody needs a burner jersey.

The Power Rankings take into account three attributes: on-field performance, off-the-field personality, longevity. In the end, we came up with a potential shelf life. If you or a buddy is looking to buy a jersey in the next sports year, please pay attention. Don’t let friends buy jerseys not on this list, unless they have mad bankrolls.

Franco1. MAIKEL FRANCO
We don’t know much about Maikel’s off-the-field person, but he’s done nothing but live up to or exceed expectations. The guy hits for average and power. He catches everything near him and he’s got a canon for an arm. The Phillies have an advantage here because of MLB’s free agency rules and because the Phillies are loyal to a fault. Maikel lost some points because of a failure to run out a hit, but he is the first player in Phillies recorded history to have back-to-back 5 RBI games. He’s been named Rookie of the Month for June.
ESTIMATED SHELF LIFE: 6+ YEARS.

okafr2. JAHLIL OKAFOR
Love this kid’s game. If you watched college hoops last year, it’d be hard to name a better offensive player thank Jahlil Okafor, including D’Angelo Russell. This dude can fit 13 tennis balls in his hand AT ONCE. This kid can score and will score for the Sixers for years to come. Hinkie may be fickle, but this kid isn’t going anywhere. He’s a stud. He’s the stud people hoped they had in Embiid. His parents are both scholarship hoopsters. He did stage crew for a musical in high school. He plays chess, tuba, and saxophone. According to multiple reports, he’s in the gym by 6 a.m. working out. What’s not to like? WARNING: Okafor wore #8 in Summer League, but he still does not have an official number on the 76ers site. So, wait until his number is official before purchasing. He could end up wearing #18.
ESTIMATED SHELF LIFE: 5+ YEARS.

nola3. AARON NOLA
This kid looks to be for real! He’s got nice command. He seems mature. So far, you really can’t have any complaints about his performance. He hasn’t been as impressive, over a period of time, as Franco, but you can’t go wrong with this jersey. He looks to be a solid dude from a solid family.
ESTIMATED SHELF LIFE: 6+ YEARS

VORACEKOLD4. JAKUB VORACEK
Voracek jumps up the rankings with his recent contract extension. Hexy’s first big signing is Jakub to an 8 YEAR $88M deal. He’s 25. He put up a hair under a point per game. Post games, I’ve seen him regularly grab a shot of whiskey and six-pack of Pilsner Uquell. Good contract, good performance, and solid choice of beverages. This deal makes Giroux’s cap hit a bit worrisome. If we have to buy a sweater between the two, we’re leaning Voracek.
ESTMIMATED SHELF LIFE: 5+ YEARS

matthews5. JORDAN MATTHEWS
Chip has a reputation of being unpredictable for cutting DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy. I don’t think he’s that unpredictable. DeSean and LeSean are immature players who consumed too much attention for off-the-field issues. Evan Mathis is STILL a free agent. Jordan Matthews is the first real Chip dude. Legend has it that Chip liked Matthews so much that he wanted to draft him in the first round, until Roseman assured him Matthews would be available in the second round. He’s a Vanderbilt guy so he’s gotta be a classroom guy with a good work ethic. He had over 800 yards and 8 TDs in his rookie season. He’s likable on and off the field.
ESTIMATED SHELF LIFE: 4+ YEARS

barwin26. CONNOR BARWIN
On March 18th, 2015 Barwin tweeted out “I’m not going anywhere” after renegotiating his contract, which takes him through the 2018 season. According to Jeff McLane’s article on Philly.com, the restructuring was done to reward Barwin on the backend of his deal. Barwin has developed into one of the better edge-rushers in the game. The renegotiation indicates that Connor is a Chip-guy. He’s a vocal leader on defense. Off-the-field, it doesn’t get much better than Barwin. He’s out and about town and always fan-friendly. His charity is renovating playgrounds in the city and dude uses a bike or SEPTA to get to work.
ESTIMATED SHELF LIFE:4 YEARS

7. waynesimmondsWAYNE SIMMONDS
How can you not like Wayne Simmonds? If it was up to me, he’d be Captain of the Flyers. He’s plays with a nice combination of skill and physicality. Simmonds is Philly tough and a terror on the Power Play. He’s definitely a leader. His Soul Train-looking Wayne Train shirts rule! This guys seems to be a Ron Hextall type player so he should be in Philly for a while. He’s under contract through the 2018-19 seson.
ESTIMATED SHELF LIFE: 4 YEARS

ken giles8. KEN GILES
Philadelphia, you have a new closer and his name is Ken Giles. He’s 24 with a nasty fastball/slider combination. He had some velocity issues early in the season but is not back to the high 90’s. Giles has been one of the better relievers in MLB over the past two seasons. Relievers are always risky picks, but this is the Phillies and professional baseball. The Phillies have Giles under club control through the 2020 season. Look at how many chances the Phillies have given Diekman and Aumont. We doubt Giles is going anywhere, especially with fans hoping to see 100 mph pitches as one of the few fun things at Citizen Bank Park.
ESTIMATED SHELF LIFE: 4 YEARS

agholor9. NELSON AGHOLOR
Chip’s first draft pick as the man making all the personnel decisions. The going theme with this list, regarding Eagles jerseys, is that we need proof that the player is a Chip Guy. Making him a #1 pick is proof enough for us. Chip says that Nelson is a student of the game and there are reports of him showing up at the facility earlier than the other rookies to get additional work in. Player evaluators compare him to Jeremy Maclin with regards to skill set. He signed a 4 year deal and we think he’ll play that first contract out in Philadelphia and perform at a level that you could be proud supporting.
ESTIMATED SHELF LIFE: 4 YEARS

Photo: Tom Hagerty

10. J.P. CRAWFORD
This guy is the Phillies future. As noted in the previous ranking, Ben Revere was the only reason we said to hold off on buying a #2 J.P. Crawford jersey. ESPN ranks Crawford as the #2 prospect in baseball. MLB has Crawford #4. Baseball America’s Mid-season Report has Crawford #5. They describe his swing as “smooth, loose and feel for the zone.” He’s solid defensively, with speed and a little bit of pop. He’s only 20 years old and probably won’t see Citizens Bank Park until 2016. His family is full of great athletes, including his uncle Carl Crawford. He’s worn #2 in high school and in the Phillies minor system.
ESTIMATED SHELF LIFE: 6+ YEARS

*Disclaimer: if you make a jersey purchase based on these Power Rankings, jawnville.com cannot be held responsible for a shelf life less than our predictions. Buy at your own risk, or just buy jersey t-shirts!

While we were compiling this list, the solid folks over at Bleeding Green Nation put out a buying guide to Eagles jerseys. We differ slightly in our Eagles’ rankings, but if you’re seeking a more exhaustive list of Eagles jersey suggestions, check out their list.