Philadelphia Phillies: Rebuilding the Lineup

In the leadoff spot, Cesar Hernandez hit .294 and effectively worked the count, which exceeded manager Pete Mackanin’s appraisal after their conversation. Pulling his infielder aside, the skipper had “colorfully” voiced his expectations. What did he say to him? He’s a .280 hitter. Eventually, he’ll learn to read pitchers from first base, overcome his timidness on the base paths, and trust his instincts. What’s his problem? Afraid to make a mistake.

Passing Quinn on the way back to the dugout, Hernandez tipped off the rookie about the starter’s stuff and approach. In other words, the location of his fastball and the movement on his breaking ball helped Quinn add information to the scouting report. Yes, Steve Henderson, the batting coach for ’16, covered the film and the scheduled hurlers’ tendencies during the meeting at the beginning of the series; but nothing can replace seeing them firsthand. The pointers from Hernandez, however, told Quinn the right-hander’s effectiveness on that particular night. Currently, Quinn has the inside track to steal a regular corner position because the switch-hitting outfielder produced a .263 average with five swiped bases.

When Quinn joined the Philadelphia Phillies on September 11, his presence in the order was a spark for Odubel Herrera, who then hit .391 with five pilfered bags for the remaining contests. And you can expect the same in April because the center fielder admitted his reignited fire was due to Quinn’s call-up. Additionally, when number 37 caused havoc with his long between-pitches ritual, he coincidentally put the defense on their heels, but he was really thinking about the battery’s game plan. He was quickly running the scouting report, the video, his book on the moundsman and his stuff that day through his mind.

"IN OTHER WORDS:     “You can’t think and hit the ball at the same time.” —Yogi Berra"

Mackanin spoke with Herrera during his exit interview, and the manager reminded his center fielder again to cut down on his strikeouts, to work the count for hittable pitches, and to build up his endurance for a whole 162. Ergo, the boss doesn’t want Herrera to wear down because a team’s best hitter slots third. And the restructuring is unfolding with Herrera in the three hole, while Maikel Franco bats cleanup.