Philadelphia Phillies: Tomorrow at Second Base
Even though the future never seems to arrive at the keystone positions, the front office through their minor league staff has been quietly working with two players to improve the Philadelphia Phillies up the middle.
The Faces of Change:
After the forever-like wait for what’s next, it happens seamlessly and quickly becomes the norm after its fleeting excitement.
What is the plan? Double D, a poster from another site, asked a couple weeks ago. Well, if everything works out – a rarity – J.P. Crawford will be the long-term shortstop, and his double-play partner will be second sacker Scott Kingery. Crawford will remain with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, and Kingery will return to the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils. Next stop: Clearwater.
IN OTHER WORDS: “Spring training means flowers, people coming outdoors, sunshine, optimism, and baseball. Spring training is a time to think about being young again.” – Ernie Banks
Like all blueprints, Double D, the wrinkles appeared almost immediately. In other words, this strategy was in place just before president Andy MacPhail joined the organization.
General manager Matt Klentak is operating like his young counterparts with quicker decisions. Ergo, Crawford and Kingery could be here in July and September respectively if Klentak likes their progress. Which would be? Plate discipline.
Before Cesar Hernandez and Freddy Galvis signed professionally, their dream in Venezuela was to be a double-play combo in the major leagues someday. Fan-wise, however, if you remember the thinking in 2015, Hernandez was going to be a reserve; and Galvis was moving to second base to open a spot for Crawford. Then, Double D, Kingery would replace Galvis a year later and limit him to a bench job.
Starting at second base last summer, Hernandez realized his opportunity and displayed improvement because he got a salty explanation of his shortcomings from bench coach Larry Bowa. No, the skipper isn’t resting you. And since he’s wasn’t playing, Bowa pointed out that the infielder could help with the paperwork. So, Hernandez received the message and his value increased: He not only went from a .241 average to .294, but he also hit .327 for his remaining 321 at-bats instead of the expected .280 by manager Pete Mackanin. Wrinkle!
On the other side of the infield, Andres Blanco advised Galvis to stop looking over his shoulder. Don’t worry about the prospect with the IronPigs. Have fun. That said, after Galvis took the vet’s tip, he rebounded from a low of .210 to finish at .241; and he accomplished it by batting .257 with 13 homers and 37 RBI for the final three months, which projects to 26 home runs and 74 RBI for a whole campaign. Wrinkle!
Behind the front-office door of the Philadelphia Phillies, Klentak considers other avenues for available personnel. Howie Kendrick could be a stopgap at second base if the decision-maker forges a deal for Hernandez. Additionally, Odubel Herrera, a solid defender, is a second baseman by trade; but the slow development of outfielders in the pipeline will keep him in center field, where he was also a National League finalist for a Gold Glove.
How have Crawford and Kingery done? Well, Double D, they received promotions last season but their recent numbers haven’t been impressive. And returning to Lehigh Valley and Reading respectively will probably be beneficial as a growth measurement. For instance, Crawford showed plate discipline with a 1.43 BB/K, which was a major factor for his advancement to the IronPigs.
Crawford:
- Triple-A: 385 PA, .244 Avg., .328 OBP, .071 BB/K and 0.8 WAR.
- Postseason: 3 Gms., 12 AB, .083 Avg., .154 OBP and .033 BB/K.
Kingery:
- Double-A: 166 PA, .250 Avg., .273 OBP, .014 BB/K and -0.2 WAR.
- Postseason: 4 Gms., 16 AB, .188 Avg., .188 OBP and .000 BB/K (8 SO).
- Arizona Fall League: 20 Gms., 77 AB, .234 Avg., .294 OBP and .035 BB/K.
At his desk, Klentak views the above statistics on his screen, and he anticipates good news by July from coaches and in scouting reports. But what does he see now from Crawford and Kingery? Wrinkles!
The Numerical Bible:
This review is not a sabermetrics article, which means no heavy statistical analysis. But because some readers rely on stats, this is only a reference: no reason to articulate the importance of these numbers.
These numbers do not include any postseason activity.
Hitting:
- Hernandez, 26.5: 155 Gms., 622 PA, a .294 Avg., a .371 OBP, a .393 SLG, a .099 ISO, a .363 BABIP, 6 HR, 39 RBI, a .764 OPS, a 4.4 WAR, 17 SB, 13 CS and a 5.7 Spd.
- Galvis, 27: 158 Gms., 624 PA, a .241 Avg., a .274 OBP, a .399 SLG, a .158 ISO, a .280 BABIP, 20 HR, 67 RBI, a .673 OPS and a 2.4 WAR.
- Crawford, almost 22: 87 Triple-A Gms., 385 PA, a .244 Avg., a .328 OBP, a .318 SLG, a .074 ISO, a .284 BABIP, 4 HR, 30 RBI, a .647 OPS, a .071 BB/K and a 0.8 WAR.
- Kingery, 22.5: 37 Double-A Gms., 166 PA, a .250 Avg., a .273 OBP, a .333 SLG, a .083 ISO, a .306 BABIP, 2 HR, 18 RBI, a .606 OPS, a .014 BB/K and a -0.2 WAR.
Next: Storyline: Plugging a Phillies Lineup Hole
- Kendrick, 33.5: 146 Gms., 543 PA, a .255 Avg., a .326 OBP, a .366 SLG, a .111 ISO, a .301 BABIP, 8 HR, 40 RBI, a .691 OPS, a 0.9 WAR, 10 SB, 2 CS and a 4.8 Spd.
- Herrera, almost 25: 159 Gms., 656 PA, a .286 Avg., a .361 OBP, a .420 SLG, a .134 ISO, a .349 BABIP, 15 HR, 49 RBI, a .781 OPS, a 4.0 WAR, 25 SB, 7 CS and a 6.3 Spd.