Call to the pen
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Phillies: Wait ’till next year or 2019

By Tal Venada

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 31: Philadelphia Phillies Infield Asdrubal Cabrera (13) is mobbed by his teammates after a solo game winning home run during a MLB game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs on August 31,2018 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia,PA.(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 31: Philadelphia Phillies Infield Asdrubal Cabrera (13) is mobbed by his teammates after a solo game winning home run during a MLB game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs on August 31,2018 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia,PA.(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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McCutchen will add a glove to the defense and a bat to the lineup. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images. /

Bats and gloves: 

The Phillies added Jean Segura and Andrew McCutchen to the hopefully improved production from Cesar Hernandez and Odubel Herrera. Fielding-wise, right fielder McCutchen is now the top defender patrolling the warning track, and other regulars are in more suitable positions: first base and left field.

Keep in mind, Hernandez played the final 63 games with a broken foot, and the statistical drop-off is obvious. After that injury, the Phils’ slide began, and their hobbled leadoff man was unable to rally his teammates. Expect a return to form.

Hernandez for 2018:

  • First half: 95 Gms., 359  AB, a .270 Avg., a .378 OBP,  8 HR, 31 RBI and a .760 OPS.
  • Second half: 66 Gms., 246  AB, a .228 Avg., a .324 OBP,  7 HR, 29 RBI and a .657 OPS.

Hernandez:

  • 2018: 161 Gms., 708 PA, a .253 Avg., a .356 OBP, 15 HR, 60 RBI and a .718 OPS.
  • 2017: 128 Gms., 577 PA, a .294 Avg., a .373 OBP,  9 HR, 34 RBI and a .793 OPS.

Herrera:

  • 2018: 148 Gms., 597 PA, a .255 Avg., a .310 OBP, 22 HR, 71 RBI and a .730 OPS.
  • 2017: 138 Gms., 563 PA, a .281 Avg., a .325 OBP, 14 HR, 56 RBI and a .778 OPS.

Because most clubs are concentrating on launch angles and pitches per at-bat, Hernandez and Herrera increased their home runs and RBIs with a drop in average but for different reasons: Herrera’s unusual ABs indicated a problem with Kapler’s approach. But will the skipper realize rules have exceptions?

On the defensive end, many locals had believed errors had prevented the good guys from a real shot at the NL East crown, so they wanted Alfaro to be the backup catcher. However, if he doesn’t get the reps, he won’t develop, and calls for a replacement to contend are only a short-term fix.

Even though McCutchen is now the top outfield glove here, many fans gave that short shrift and concentrated on his decline to a solid and durable regular. But right field, his position, is a major reason Klentak acquired him. Importantly, he also replaces Santana’s production. Good signing. No credit!

As for needing a .300 hitter, Klentak traded for Segura who also has some power. He launched 20 bombs in homer-friendly Chase Field for the 2016 Arizona Diamondbacks. So, he’ll love popping some souvenirs to the paying customers at the Bank.

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