Last Thursday’s game against the Yankees May have seemed like any other in spring for the Phillies from the outside. Despite the game that finished in a 7-7 tie being an essentially meaningless exhibition in February, there was something that stuck out when you looked over the lineup that manager Rob Thomson released prior to the first pitch. The first hitter in the lineup, Kyle Schwarber, was slotted to play a position Phillies fans had not seen him occupy in red pinstripes – first base.
Schwarber has played first base so sparingly in his career, he had to request that Phil Sheridan, the Phillies clubhouse director, go out and obtain for him a new first baseman’s mitt. The Phillies slugger has just 11 games under his belt at the right side’s hot corner, and despite Phillies fans wishes to forget about this – he has plenty of experience in left field as well. The goal as he gets back to playing the field more this spring for both the club and himself as he enters the final season of his contract is simple:
“I’ll be the most versatile DH,” Schwarber told Matt Gelb of The Athletic. And he’s not crazy for trying. As Kyle approaches free agency for the third time in his career – the more he can show he’s healthy enough to get in the field, the more value he has in discussions with the Phillies and potentially any other team looking to add one of the most prolific power hitters in the game today.
Unlike the last time he played a majority of games in the field in 2022, he also comes into this season slimmed down and healthy. Two strong knees, plus the ability to play LF or 1B when needed, adds flexibility to any roster – and dollars to his pockets.
Schwarber isn’t the only Phillies player diving into his bag of tricks
Kyle isn’t the only one trying something different to help the club this spring. That same lineup featured utility infielder and key bench cog, Edmundo Sosa, out in left field. Philadelphia had mentioned the possibility last season, with that chatter rising after his tremendous offensive stretch last season while he filled in for and injured Trea Turner in May and early June. This year, it feels more of a reality than ever, especially after an injury to Weston Wilson muddled the mix in the outfield and the bench mix.
Wilson injured his oblique on a swing before the final week of February, and as a result the Phillies are thin on right-handed hitting outfield options to start the season. With two-thirds of the assumed starters being left-handed hitters with less-than-stellar marks against lefty pitchers – Philadelphia is forced to get creative. Add that to the fact that they have several players they like who contributed in short stints at the top level who are out of options, and any flexibility could allow the Phillies to keep their ever-important depth.
Another option to fill the hole left by Wilson’s injury is Buddy Kennedy. He has never made an outfield appearance in a big-league game, and has spent time there in just 11 games over his professional career. This past winter, Kennedy told Gelb he was thinking about adding versatility so reached out to a friend that lived near Philly – Mike Trout. Kennedy would get plenty of work at Trout’s state-of-the-art facility at his home in New Jersey, working on the basics to ensure his defense comes close to what his glove provides in the infield.
Some of the other options within that Phillies organization include Christian Arroyo, who signed a minor league deal last month and has impressed in spring Training, thus far. Fan and franchise favorite, Kody Clemens – who is out of minor league options, also has some experience in the outfield despite mostly playing 1st and 2nd base at the major league level.
The club might be leaning towards a right-handed hitter for the last bench spot, but if Sosa can convince his coaching staff that he is a viable option in the outfield – they may keep Clemens around and keep more flexible depth in the minors to support the club throughout the season.
Regardless of their direction, a team who came into spring assuming no surprises on the 26-man roster suddenly finds themselves having to get innovative to fill out the last few spots on a squad with World Series aspirations.
Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
