Spring Training has been a mixed bag for the Phillies in the first week plus. On Wednesday, Bryce Harper got hit by a wild sinker, giving him a bruised tricep. While he won’t be expected to miss time, Weston Wilson wasn’t as lucky.
Early into camp, news broke that Weston Wilson would miss at least 6 weeks with a strained oblique. The Phillies obvious answer to a right-handed-hitting outfielder quickly vanished. Wilson was a shoo-in to make his first opening-day roster in his career.
With a lefty-heavy Phillies team, Wilson would’ve surely seen time against LHP both starting and as a pinch hitter. In his career, Wilson has slashed .333/.450/.646 in 60 major league plate appearances against lefties. On top of that, Wilson hit for the cycle just last season for the Phillies. He was a key bench player that will now be out until late April.
With no clear replacement, auditions have started for the role of platoon outfielder #2. Could Buddy Kennedy channel his Millville bestie, Mike Trout, and help the Phillies in the outfield? JT Realmuto was rumored to be looking into some time in LF. And, Edmundo Sosa started in LF on Thursday.
Potential Phillies Fit?
If these internal options don’t fit, the perfect option just hit waivers. Stone Garrett was DFA’d by the Nationals after they resigned closer Kyle Finnegan. The righty LF would fit the Phillies’ team structure like a glove. Garrett is a career .276 hitter with a .833 OPS in 118 games.
He was hampered by injuries last year, starting only one game for the Nats. He went 3/4 at the plate with a double and a home run. Naturally, it was against the Phillies. While his batting average is around the same against lefties or righties, Garrett slugs better against LHP. He owns a .541 slugging % against lefties compared to a .434 mark against righties.
He’s a solid glove too. Just a day before being DFA’d, Garrett made a diving catch in a Cactus League game for the Nats.
The Phillies would be wise to grab Garrett on waivers if other teams pass on him. He’s 29 but could shine if given a chance.
Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
