Phillies 2017: Five Key Developing Players
By Matt Veasey
OUTFIELD KEYS
The anticipation is that the Phillies 2017 starting outfield is set entering spring training. Center fielder Odubel Herrera is expected to be flanked by a pair of newcomers to the team.
The left fielder should be Howie Kendrick, obtained in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right fielder should be Michael Saunders, signed as a free agent just over a month ago.
But both of those players are now north of 30 years of age. Neither is going to be around as the club hopefully gets back to playoff contention within the next couple of seasons.
The future in the outfield, at least at this point, should belong to a pair of 23-year olds, Roman Quinn and Nick Williams.
Quinn was the Phillies second round pick in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft. He made his big league debut with 57 at-bats last September. His game is speed, and it is of the game-changing variety.
Williams was part of the big talent haul that the club received from the Texas Rangers in exchange for Cole Hamels back in the summer of 2015. He is considered an all-around threat, but is coming off a disappointing 2016 minor league campaign.
OTHER OUTFIELD OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Even if there is an injury to either Kendrick or Saunders, the Phillies might decide to give the playing time to another veteran in the early part of the season.
Aaron Altherr is still around, and should see plenty of time as the fourth outfielder. He may actually even split time in a right-field platoon with Saunders.
Veterans Chris Coghlan and Daniel Nava are in camp as non-roster invitees, each hoping to come north with the team.
The Phillies also have other outfield prospects trying to stick. This group includes Tyler Goeddel, Cameron Perkins, Andrew Pullin, and Dylan Cozens.
The biggest problem for Quinn has been staying healthy. To that end, he worked with the Phillies strength and conditioning staff in Florida this winter.
Manager Pete Mackanin was quoted on Quinn’s potential by Philly.com’s Mike Sielski:
"“I think he’s got a chance to be a real game-changer. He still has kind of a big swing for a little guy. Once he knows what type of hitter he should be, he’s going to be outstanding.”"
WILLIAMS MUST DEMONSTRATE MATURITY
The Phils were not happy with Williams attitude last summer. It caused him to get benched twice, and ultimately cost him a September promotion that seemed a forgone conclusion when the season opened.
Williams was quoted on his 2016 struggles by Philly.com’s Matt Gelb:
"“Last year was a huge learning experience for me. This offseason, I decided I would build on that. I thought about all the wrong things I did and all of the right things I did. Getting sent home sucked, but at the same time, it was good for me…Tough love, I like that. I’d rather that than somebody not say anything at all.”"
The likelihood is that, unless they force the issue with incredible play this spring, both Quinn and Williams will open at AAA Lehigh Valley.
But if the 2017 season were to end without both of those players forcing their way into regular playing time, it has to be considered a setback for either or both of them, as well as for the organization.
Quinn and Williams are more talented and dynamic than Kendrick and Saunders. Now it’s time for them to prove they belong by staying healthy, producing on the field, and showing maturity in the clubhouse and away from the field.