Call to the pen
Fansided

Constructing 2019’s Phillies for April

By Tal Venada

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 07: Opening day ceremony before a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on April 7, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 07: Opening day ceremony before a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on April 7, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Swinging from the left side, Santana is an important cog in the Phillies offense. Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images. /

Lineup considerations:   

With the batting order, the left-right balance carries more weight in the last three frames. The general idea is not having consecutive same-side hitters for the opposing manager to breeze through with one reliever. Forcing him to use his pen is critical.

In the leadoff spot, the ideal candidate would work counts, draw walks, have speed, and hit .280 or more. Currently, Cesar Hernandez and Roman Quinn are switch-hitting speed merchants, but the latter is injury-prone. So trading Hernandez will require a replacement to lead off.

While the two and four holes are RBI slots, speed or a higher OBP is the two-spot preference, but two regulars can alternate depending on the opposing starter. So, Rhys Hoskins, Carlos Santana or an expensive free agent will be Klentak’s choices. But correctly deploying Santana’s left-side bat will affect the overall lineup.

Regarding the three spot, the best hitter traditionally bats there, and Odubel Herrera fit the bill until 2018. Hopefully, he rebounds by being the free swinger he was. But will management realize mixing in some time-tested baseball utilizes all of a skipper’s weapons? Or not.

If a cleanup hitter is a free-agent acquisition, a right-side bat with 30-homer power would be a perfect fit. That stated, the competition for a young superstar will be fierce. But Klentak has sent signals he intends to be active in his pursuit of a major offensive addition. Yes, some may disagree.

If the Phillies add a big right-handed bat, Santana would provide the protection a slugger will require to get good pitches. Currently, the most familiar lineup threat would be Hernandez (SH), Hoskins (RH), Herrera (LH), a right-side hitter and Santana (SH). Of course, don’t expect a set order here or elsewhere.             

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