Call to the pen
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Phillies: Everyday 8 revisited as camp opens

By Tal Venada

Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto (11) congratulates pitcher Adam Conley (61) as he closes out the game in the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018 at Marlins Park in Miami, Fla. (Patrick Farrell/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto (11) congratulates pitcher Adam Conley (61) as he closes out the game in the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018 at Marlins Park in Miami, Fla. (Patrick Farrell/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /
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Realmuto can fly around the bases: an advantage as a two-hole hitter. Photo by Yuki Taguchi/MLB Photos via Getty Images. /

Missing link:

With a switch-hitter atop the Phillies order and right-handers through the five hole, Herrera will probably bat sixth. But which El Torito will we get this season? Yes, he arrived for spring training in January and has something to prove after his unusual approach to increase his pitch count. Numerical emphasis by whom?

Herrera’s exploits:

  • 2015: a .297-hitting rookie.
  • 2016: more than doubled his walks with a selective first three months.
  • 2017: averaged a bat-flipping .343 for June, July, and August.
  • 2018: recorded career highs in home runs and RBIs due to management’s hitting approach.

Although Franco could hit .270 with 20 bombs in the unforgiving eight hole, he’ll probably slot seventh due to the left-side bats of Herrera and Nick Williams. For now, though, he’ll split those two to balance the bottom of the order with a left-right-left alignment.

As for Williams, Kapler has a tendency to slot a player eighth to force him to be selective at the plate, like he did with Franco last year. On the other hand, the skipper could bat Herrera and Williams fifth and seventh to break up the right-handed hitters. This is why Santana had signable value.

Batting order:

  • Harper: Hernandez (1), Hoskins (2), Segura (3), Harper (4), Realmuto (5) and McCutchen (6).
  • Machado: Hernandez (1), Machado (2), Segura (3), Hoskins (4), Realmuto (5) and McCutchen (6).

Regarding a major free-agent acquisition, left-handed Harper (4) would be a better fit between Segura (3) and Realmuto (5) in the order. But while picking up Machado would replace Franco, the Phils could instead ink left-handed Moustakas (4) to man the hot corner.

The bench will have switch-hitter Roman Quinn and Scott Kingery to rest the regulars, pinch-hit, and fill in due to injuries. Additionally, Quinn will motivate Herrera, and Kingery should receive more playing time because Hernandez will be a free agent after the 2020 campaign. A trade after this 162?

Harper, Moustakas, and southpaw Dallas Keuchel have another thing in common: super agent Scott Boras. Yes, all three left-handed free agents are in the negotiations between Klentak and Boras. But when outcomes are up in the air, what are your plans? Subject to change!

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