In this week's Pork Barrel Blog, IronPigs media assistant Pat McCarthy takes a look at the who are battling for spots on the Phillies' 25-man roster.
In this week's Pork Barrel Blog, IronPigs media assistant Pat McCarthy takes a look at the who are battling for spots on the Phillies' 25-man roster.
The Phillies are fortunate that their nine position players are pretty much set baring injuries. However, the bench will be an interesting saga as we move into March. Expected to open the season with a four-man bench and an eight-man bullpen, the competition for those spots will be intense.
Aaron Altherr will open the season as the team's fourth outfielder, but he could be considered another starter based on last year's workload. In 107 games, the 27-year-old hit .272 with 101 hits, 24 doubles, 19 home runs, and 65 RBIs -- all career highs. With his ability to play all three positions and the success he had last season prior to injuring his hamstring, expect Altherr to play nearly every day in some capacity.
The Phillies could begin the season with a fifth outfielder and an interesting name to consider for that role is Roman Quinn. Quinn did not appear in the majors last season after making his debut in September 2016. Just 24-years old, Quinn has tremendous upside if he is able to stay off the DL. After getting off to a strong start in 2017 with Lehigh Valley, Quinn missed the summer months with a torn UCL. The Phillies have lacked a guy with game-changing speed and have not had a commanding running game since guys like Shane Victorino and Ben Revere were manning centerfield. Using Quinn in a bench role where he does not have to play every day could pay huge dividends for the Phils and keep him healthy for the duration of a season. Not only does Quinn have the ability to play all three outfield positions, he has been taking ground balls back at his natural shortstop position which could give Gabe Kapler more incentive to keep Quinn because of his ability to run, switch hit and play multiple positions both in the infield and outfield.
If the Phillies decide to go with five outfielders they have another option on their 40-man roster -- Dylan Cozens. Cozens struggled at times last season in Triple-A and will likely be back with the Pigs in 2017. If he is able to show that he can hit big league pitching and the Phillies do not want to make any changes to the 40-man roster Cozens could fill that role for Philadelphia. That said, Cozens is the top power hitter in the Phillies organization and you don't keep that type of power as a bench player. Cozens needs to get a full season of at bats and Lehigh Valley gives him the best opportunity to do so. If he can get into a grove playing every day and the time comes that the Phillies need a starting outfielder with pop at some point during the season a locked-in Dylan Cozens would give the Phillies a dangerous middle of the order.
With Andrés Blanco leaving for free agency the utility infielder role is up for grabs. The Phillies have four options for this role if they decide to use someone already on the 40-man. Despite having a lot of success in his first year and a half in the majors Tommy Joseph finds himself in his group. With Carlos Santana now the team's starting first basemen and Rhys Hoskins in left, Joseph is in an interesting position. Every team needs a strong bat off the bench and that very well could be Joseph. He has had back-to-back 20 home run seasons and has proven he can hit big league pitching. Joseph is a big league player and if the Phillies decide to keep him on their bench he could be a great late-inning pinch hitter who you also know can hit in the middle of your order when you need him to start.
Jesmuel Valentín was up for this role last season after a strong spring camp but was sent to Lehigh Valley to get regular playing time. Valentin only appeared in 29 games in 2017 after requiring season-ending surgery on his injured shoulder. Pedro Florimón could be a good fit for this role, as well, because he can play both the infield and outfield. But because he was taken off the 40-man roster in the offseason, the Phillies would need to make room for him if this is the route they decide to go.
There are a number of big leaguers in Phillies camp on minor league contracts, as well. If they put together strong springs, they could be added to the 40-man roster and head north with the big club. Ryan Flaherty, Will Middlebrooks and Adam Rosales have all had long big league careers. In the outfield, the Phillies signed Danny Ortiz and Collin Cowgill who both have major league experience and could make the club and serve as an extra outfielder if they put together strong springs.
