The bench players
The Phillies competition for the bench jobs is a bit more interesting and intense. On March 9, there were six Phils hitting over .350 in Florida play, and only one of them, Trea Turner, was an assured starter. That was with 13 games in the books. Of the other five, three were still at .350 or above after play 3/12.
They were Jake Cave, Scott Kingery, and Weston Wilson. To this group, Kody Clemens, Carlos De La Cruz, and Darick Hall (.346, 4 HR, 7 RBI) should probably be added as strong candidates. However, by March 12, the .350 or better hitters list had grown to nine with only three players among them seemingly guaranteed slots on the roster.
Thus, saying the situation is fluid is an understatement.
For the Tuesday afternoon game against Atlanta, two of the six players above were in the starting lineup — Hall and Clemens.
Of the four least likely to make the team, considering the Phillies needs — some power in Bryce Harper’s post-op absence, a solid backup center fielder, and overall versatility — the strongest is probably Jake Cave. Obtained after being waived by both the Twins and Orioles last fall, Cave has put together a training camp so far that belies his .235 career batting average: Before play on March 14, a .458 batting average, including two doubles, two triples, two homers, a stolen base, and seven RBI.
That he can play all three outfield positions and bats left-handed may bump either of the top two candidates named below out of one of those last bench seats.
The other three potential also-rans in this race right now are Weston Wilson, Carlos De La Cruz, and Kody Clemens, probably in that order at this juncture.
Going into play Tuesday, Wilson was hitting .438 with two homers and six RBI. A nine-year veteran of college and minor league ball, Wilson is listed on the Phillies website as a shortstop, and by Baseball Reference as a first, second, and third baseman.
So, he’s a utility infielder if he makes the team although he has played in the outfield on occasion in the minors. On Tuesday, he was called out on strikes and flew out to center.
De La Cruz, a very tall but graceful outfielder and first baseman, was hitting .333 on Tuesday, with one homer and a single RBI. He seemingly deserved a few more at bats by this point, but had only nine in seven games.
Roger Clemens’ son, Kody, a reputed grinder, was hitting .292 with two homers and four RBI. He has good speed, and started at shortstop Tuesday against the Braves. He batted twice but grounded into a force play and into an out.
Which brings us to the two leading candidates for those bench positions.