Kansas City Royals: Brett Phillips fighting for major league career

When he was acquired by the Kansas City Royals, Brett Phillips was expected to be a mainstay in the outfield. Now, he is fighting for his major league career.

When the Kansas City Royals traded Mike Moustakas on July 27, 2018, they had felt they were receiving two potential cornerstone players in return. Jorge Lopez had a great deal of potential, but may have been better suited for a role in the bullpen. Nonetheless, the Royals were committed to giving him a look in the starting rotation.

They also acquired Brett Phillips in that trade. Phillips had intrigued for some time, a former top prospect in the Astros and Brewers systems. In fact, prior to the 2016 season, he was considered a consensus top 100 prospect in baseball. Even if that was not the case the following two years, Phillips was still highly regarded.

Despite that lofty ranking, Phillips has yet to find success at the major league level. Over parts of three years in the majors, he has produced a .203/.280/.339 batting line over 324 plate appearances, hitting eight homers and stealing nine bases. However, with a season high of 147 plate appearances, it is difficult to truly get a sense as to what Phillips could be.

As he is currently out of options, it was thought that Phillips would have a chance to stake a claim to a starting role on the Royals. Although Alex Gordon had returned to play left, and Whit Merrifield was seemingly ticketed to start in right, center was wide open. Phillips had a chance to take over that role.

Instead, the Royals outfield shuffle has pushed Phillips to the outside looking in. Merrifield is now the center fielder, changing positions once again. The signing of Maikel Franco moved Hunter Dozier to right. And Phillips is once again without a spot.

Phillips certainly has skills that can translate for the Royals. His defense is reminiscent of their glory days in the middle of the 2010s, when the trio of Gordon, Lorenzo Cain, and Jarrod Dyson made certain that anything in the air was finding leather. His arm is a rival to Gordon’s, a howitzer that can make a difference. But unless the bat suddenly comes around, Phillips may be a fourth outfielder at best.

Brett Phillips may have one last chance with the Kansas City Royals. It is now or never to prove that he belongs in the majors.