Two weeks ago I wrote about the Phillies sending Adam Haseley down to Lehigh Valley and how I thought it was the wrong move. Haseley never got on the plane from San Francisco to Allentown before he was back in the line-up, being re-called just two days later. Prior to sending him down, Manager Gabe Kapler stated that the reason to send Haseley down was so he could play every day.
This past week, there has been some mystery surrounding the former eighth-overall pick. He has sat more games of late in favor of Roman Quinn and Sean Rodriguez. On Sunday, he sat so that the third baseman, Scott Kingery, could play centerfield and Rodriguez could play third.
The fact that Haseley isn’t playing as of late has me wondering is something wrong. Did I miss an injury, or is he just not who the Phillies want? Maybe the numbers are saying he shouldn’t play against this pitcher or that pitcher. Maybe he just doesn’t “see” enough pitches, which appears as Kapler’s model for success. This is pure speculation of course, but he has been sitting against left-handed pitchers lately.
Being Sent Down
When The Phillies sent him down on August 8th he was on fire and one of the bright spots of a lifeless Phillies team.
Since calling Haseley back, The Phillies have played 9 games. Kapler has sat Hasley for two whole games where he didn’t get an at-bat and only started in 5 of the 9 games. For someone the manager says needs to start every day, why is he sitting almost 50% of the games?
Haseley’s slash line was .274/.315/.452, prior to being optioned to AAA. Since the Phillies have called Haseley back up, he has hit 3 for 18. His batting average has dropped to .257.
The Alternatives to Haseley
But what about the other options the Phillies have? Is any of them a better option? Lets first look at Roman Quinn:
Quinn’s hot bat of late was earning him playing time. However, in true Phillies fashion this year, Quinn takes one step forward and three steps back. He has again gone on the injured list or the third time this season. The continuing the questions of his durability remain as he is shelved with a groin injury.
The other options are Rodriguez and Brad Miller, both of who are hitting below .220. Fans question why is Rodriguez even on the Roster. For his career, Rodriguez is a .226 hitter. He hasn’t played in the major leagues for a decade as a utility player. A mailbag question was posed the other day:
Rodriguez bats right-handed. Maybe Kapler likes his “good at bats.” Personally, I’d rather have Maikel Franco back. Franco is a better defensive third baseman and I would love to see what Charlie Manuel could do with Franco. It seems that Rodriguez and Miller’s versatility is what sets them above Franco.
Miller is hitting .212 with the Phillies. He plays good defense, but with a team fighting for the playoffs, wouldn’t Haseley, a better hitter, be better suited to play?
Thanks to Cowboy Jerry for the mailbag question. I have to ask you all, who would you rather have playing every day?
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
