State of the Offense

Welcome back to the PhilliePhitz blog. In this edition we’re breaking down the most likely starting lineup for the Phils this year, plus one extra breakdown of one of my favorite players in the organization.

Starting Lineup:

In the televised exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles the Phillies rolled out a lineup that I believe we will see on a pretty regular basis. The lineup went as follows:

Andrew McCutchen, LF

Bryce Harper, RF

J.T. Realmuto, C

Jay Bruce, DH

Rhys Hoskins, 1B

Didi Gregorious, SS

Jean Segura, 3B

Scott Kingery, 2B

Adam Haseley, CF

This lineup will be rolled out most often against right handed pitchers and can consistently provide the Phillies with a solid chance to win any given game. When McCutchen went down last season the Phillies struggled to fill his production in the leadoff role. Bringing his production and leadership back atop the Phillies lineup will help to put opposing pitchers in tough spots early and set up the middle of the order.

The first surprise comes with Harper moving from the 3 hole to the second spot in the order. The MLB implemented a new rule in which any newly entered pitcher must throw to either 3 batters or complete the inning, whichever comes first. Moving Harper up in the order allows for the Phillies to split up the lefties in the order while keeping Harper in a position to move and drive in runners.

The other advantage of moving Bryce up in the order is the chance to move JT up to the third spot. Oftentimes last year, JT would be found in the fifth spot providing lineup protection to Hoskins. By putting JT behind Harper, this has the potential to create difficult scenarios for pitchers facing either Harper or Realmuto as they won’t have as many opportunities where it makes sense to pitch around either and risk walking them.

Last year saw Hoskins in the cleanup spot for most of the season, however, with the addition of the designated hitter in the National League, the Phillies will be able to slot in Jay Bruce as a lefty power bat to break up the righty bats of Realmuto and Hoskins. Beyond that, last season found Bruce consistently driving in runners when healthy. The ability to utilize Bruce in the DH role should also help keep Bruce healthy and allow for the team to use their strongest lineup as much as possible.

The fifth spot looks to be Rhys Hoskins’ new home. Dropping down in the lineup should help alleviate some pressure on him to perform the way he did when he was first called up. The hitters above him should also be able to put him in advantageous positions with runners aboard and having the pitchers work stressful at bats.

One of the biggest additions this offseason was power hitting shortstop Didi Gregorious. Getting him on a One Year-$14 million deal tremendously improves the depth of the Phillies lineup. Didi was coming off a shortened season after returning from Tommy John surgery last year. The uncertainty of his health allowed the Phillies to sign him to this single year prove it contract. There’s no doubt that when Didi is healthy he is certainly an impact bat and leader in the club house.

Didi’s arrival has had the biggest impact upon Jean Segura, pushing him from his natural shortstop position, to third base where he hasn’t previously played. Segura has manned second base in the past but the Phillies desire to get Kingery to his natural second base position left Segura to be the one to move to the hot corner. While his bat doesn’t have the typical power to prototype as a third baseman, his arm should play well there and his first step doesn’t seem as if it’ll be that big of an issue. What Jean lacks in power, he makes up for with bat to ball skills. He should thrive in keeping the batting line moving and advancing runners. These skills will also play with alternate lineups where they can bat Jean in the second spot. However, having a hitter of Segura’s caliber is a big part of what gives the Phillies so much depth throughout the lineup.

Seemingly every year Scott Kingery seems to stick out as someone who added muscle in the off season. We’ve seen flashes of this improving his play, however, he’s lacked consistency. In the summer camp prior to opening the season, we saw Kingery return after battling Covid-19 but show up looking stronger than ever. This strength seemed to come into play right away as he managed on multiple occasions to hit the ball out to the opposite field. Performance like this from Kingery throughout the year could be an X-Factor from turning the Phillies from a very good lineup to one of the very best in the National League.

Finally in the last spot, we will see Adam Haseley. Haseley in the training camp was squaring up balls seemingly every day. As a first round pick only a few years back expectations may need to be tempered a bit on him. He was rushed to the majors as the injuries piled up for the Phillies. On the other hand, Haseley flashed an impressive glove in center last year. He also originally arrived at the University of Virginia as a pitcher before impressing with his bat and working his way to become an impactful enough hitter to get drafted in the first round. Truthfully, the best has yet to come from Adam Haseley and the potential for improvement adds much to be excited for at the bottom of the order.

EXTRA SPECIAL BREAKDOWN ALERT

As promised, for those who don’t know him I want to cover one of my favorites, top prospect Alec Bohm. He was the first round, 3rd overall pick for the Phillies in 2018. Bohm is listed as a 3rd baseman however is projected to end up as a first baseman. Bohm is not currently on the roster, however, if kept down for the first week the Phillies will gain an extra year of team control on him. He could be called up soon after and would likely be used at first base with Rhys moving to DH. This could cause some shake ups in the daily lineup but Bohm’s hit tool is certainly worth it. In college and through every level in the minors, Bohm has consistently put bat to ball and oftentimes generated hard contact. In a time where the strikeout is becoming normalized, Bohm rarely finds himself getting punched out. Once he comes up, Alec Bohm could be a huge piece for the Phillies this year and for years to come.

Ultimately the Phillies should be a lineup that strikes early and often. The one through six spot can all empty the bases in one single swing. The rest of the lineup will consistently be able to keep the line moving and turn the lineup over to the top of the order with runners on. As long as the offense finds their rhythm, it is designed to be one to offset the potential pitching weakness and lead the Phillies to their first playoff berth since 2011.

With the season starting, expect another blog very soon breaking down the reinforcements coming in for the Phillies from the bullpen and off the bench to begin the year! Go Phillies!!