Bottlenecked Spots on the Phillies

For a few open jobs, statistics and performance count when general manager Matt Klentak and his skipper review each player on the bubble to decide the four reserve slots on the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Nitty-Gritty:

When it comes to choices, necessity always trumps luxury because more of a strength doesn’t fix a weakness.

For the most part, the bench has the only positional competition: two outfielders, one infielder and a backup catcher. And even though the decisions involved appear small, each spot is important during almost every game. Rarely does a manager finish a contest without considering his reserves for pinch-hitting, late-game defense or a double switch for an overextended pitcher. To complicate things, moreover, regulars drop any experimentation and use the last three weeks to prepare for the campaign.

If you consider their status, the two backups with a shot to go north in April are roster-protected players and invitees. However, Klentak must remove or disable someone from the 40-man roster if an extra participant makes the squad. In other words, those athletes are at a disadvantage from day one.

Entering camp, Andrew Knapp had the inside track for the back half of the catching tandem, but he isn’t hitting or ready to play first base. Of course, the plan was for Knapp to back up the regular receiver and starting first baseman, while Jorge Alfaro would handle the games behind the plate for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. However, if this position is still a problem at March’s end, Klentak has backstops Ryan Hanigan and Bryan Holaday.

While Tom McCarthy’s team recently broadcasted a weekend game, two fans watching at home voiced their evaluation regarding the infielders. One asked the other who besides Andres Blanco is going to be a utility man. Will it be Jesmuel Valentin, Hector Gomez, Pedro Florimon or Taylor Featherston? Well, Valentin was at Lehigh Valley last summer and his father and uncle played in the majors. Yeah, I thought his name sounded familiar, but who are the others? Plan B.

When it comes to coverage, the Philadelphia Phillies don’t need a fourth infielder for third base. The club has a second sacker who can play short, a shortstop who can handle second and third, and Blanco covers all four infield positions. So, a fourth middle infielder already on the 40-man roster is the logical choice. Ergo, Valentin.

While the locals enjoyed the exhibition contest, they also discussed the reserve outfielders: Aaron Altherr, Daniel Nava, Chris Coghlan and Tyler Goeddel. Hey, you forgot Brock Stassi. Isn’t he a first baseman? Well, they’re playing him in left field too.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:           “I was such a dangerous hitter I even got intentional walks during batting practice.” – Casey Stengel

If only Altherr is manning center field while Odubel Herrera is at the 2017 World Baseball Classic, Altherr’s the fourth outfielder. He’s on the 40-man roster and can field all three positions. Basically, Goeddel needs at least one full year with the IronPigs to earn another opportunity in the major leagues. For the final spot, however, Nava is a switch-hitter, Coghlan is a pesky foe, and Stassi is a left-handed bat with some power.

Spring numbers aside, the Phillies need more than Blanco to rest Tommy Joseph against tough right-handers. So, Stassi is the obvious addition: First base is his natural position and he’s a left-side hitter.

IN OTHER WORDS:     “A lot of times, a player is going to tell you what he’s ready for or capable of and how you would think he would handle adversity by not being fragile mentally.”  – John Farrell

To sum up, the IronPigs have three starting outfielders plus a new first sacker and catcher promoted from the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils. In other words, a logjam means Altherr, Knapp and Stassi will be backups in Allentown or Philly. Which uniform would remedy this bottleneck? The red pinstripes.