We’ve already sorted through the rest of the NL East (Braves, Nationals, Mets, Marlins) when looking at how the likely addition of a universal DH might impact the teams within. How might the Phillies react to the change? The Phils have a reasonably experienced lineup, with only presumptive center fielder Adam Haseley checking in at under a year of big league service time. The group was a middle-of-the-pack unit in the NL last year, ranking eighth in runs scored (774), tenth in wRC+ (91) and 11th in home runs (215).
Among in-house veterans, Jay Bruce leads the pack of DH candidates. Acquired last year shortly before Andrew McCutchen tore his ACL, Bruce continued to show off huge power but posted bottom-of-the-barrel OBP numbers: a .261 OBP and a career-low 5.7 percent walk rate. If his days an even passable OBP threat are behind him, perhaps he’s no longer suited for this role, but he’ll probably get some opportunities to bounce back. He’ll likely need a right-handed platoon partner. The Phils have no shortage of non-roster veterans who could factor into the mix, including Logan Forsythe, Josh Harrison and Neil Walker (although Walker is a much better left-handed hitter than he is right-handed).
The bigger question in Philly, though, is whether the advent of the NL DH and the likely expansion of rosters will push top prospect Alec Bohm to the big league level. Bohm hasn’t appeared above Double-A yet, but the former No. 3 overall draft pick clobbered High-A and Double-A pitching last year, hitting at a combined .305/.378/.518 clip in 540 plate appearances. Bohm walked in 10.6 percent of his plate appearances against a mere 13.5 percent strikeout rate. There’s no guarantee that any minor league games will be played in 2020, and he was widely expected to debut at some point in 2020 anyhow. Given Bohm’s status as a consensus top 60 prospect, the Phillies can’t be keen on him missing a year’s worth of games.
If Bohm holds his own in the Majors, the benefits to the Phillies are substantial. Jean Segura could move from third base to second base, freeing Scott Kingery up to embrace a super-utility role or simply allowing him to supplant Haseley as the everyday center fielder. Kingery rated well at virtually every position he played in 2019, and his bat is an upgrade over that of Haseley. With a DH spot added, there’s room for each of Bohm, Segura and Kingery to regularly factor into the lineup.
It’s true that Haseley’s glove graded out excellently last year, so perhaps the Phils would prefer to keep him in there as often as possible — particularly against righties. In that case, both Haseley and Kingery could log outfield reps on days when McCutchen is the DH, allowing his surgically repaired knee the occasional rest. Bohm could play third base on those days with Segura at second. At the very least, a productive debut from Bohm would give incoming skipper Joe Girardi the “good” types of problems/questions that every manager hopes to have.
There could be other options in the organization. Expanded rosters surely give Nick Williams a greater chance of making the club, though he’s rather buried on the outfield depth chart. The right-handed-hitting Kyle Garlick could see some increased opportunities, and while Nick Martini isn’t on the 40-man roster at present, he’s an OBP machine who would make for a nice bench bat or occasional DH versus righties. With Matt Szczur, Ronald Torreyes, Phil Gosselin, Mikie Mahtook and T.J. Rivera all in camp on minor league deals as well, the Phillies aren’t short on recognizable names. It’s doubtful any of that bunch would factor prominently into DH duties, but they give the Phillies plenty of options for a deepened bench.
i like the idea of easing Cutch back into action with the DH, then bringing up Bohm when Cutch is fully healthy again
I’d like that too. Gives Quinn and Haseley a chance to both get regular playing as well.
Why not just allow Bohm to fill his natural position?
what, the position that isnt guaranteed to stay in the NL long term? id rather him try and develop his d.
they ruined home runs
now they are ready to ruin the national league style of play
Agree
I think Bruce was actually acquired before the Cutch injury, as he was expecting a part time role
Ah, you’re right! My apologies. I’ll amend that. Got my timeline mixed there.
i mean it was very close to fair. i remember some wondering if Klentak had ESP.
Bruce was acquired before cutches injury.
Rhys Hoskins. Watching him on the field is painful.
Hoskins can handle first base, even underrated. Phillies fans are predisposed to distrust Hoskins due to the OF debacle.
Believe it or not, in the new Outs Above Average fielding stats, Hoskins ranked fourth in the major leagues at first. The only 1Bs above him were Matt Olson, Christian Walker, and Paul Goldschmidt.
That’s probably overselling him a bit, but he isn’t some horrible 1B.
Hey thanks for your insight, definitely didnt know that. My logic was since Bohm can handle 3B he’d naturally be a little better at 1B.
Considering everything I think Bohms gotta ticket to ride this year out the gates that he wouldnt have gotten under normal circumstances
He wont be starting, he wont be plugged right into the Dh, but he will be present, the DH will be there, and Philly fans should be happy with that prospect in an interesting year-
Philly has like 4 Dhs but I assume its going to be a split of Cutch/Bruce 75% with Rhys/Realumuto 25% (Muto plays 1b when Rhys Dh) filling in the gaps to start
dylan cozens gotta be pissed about the universal dh
especially being burried in the Rays system now
I think Bohm could be .280 30HR guy. Kid can hit
Think he can be .300/.370/.520 (35hr 100rbi) in his prime. He’s going to hit at the big league level I just don’t know if he can play 3B. We are spoiled with good fielding 3B in Philly– Schmidt, Rolen, Pedro Feliz– and I think Bohm will be the future 1B and if DH sticks it’s going to be Rhys.
I’d make Bohm the 1B and Rhys Hoskins the everyday DH. Jay Bruce can get an occasional day at DH or in LF vs a tough RH like Scherzer or Stasburg. Quinn is a 4th OF and Kingery is only going to play 2B this year. He told the Phillies he wants to play 2B everyday because he thinks he will hit better and the Phillies are obliging.
Why arent they going to stick Kingery at 2B/3B and Bohm at DH to start? I mean they should rotate him into 3B every so often but he can start at Universal DH spot.