The Philadelphia Phillies are seeking to increase their defensive versatility. According to a report from Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the team is evaluating options in this area. Gelb notes that this is partly due to efforts from the team to reduce the workload for J.T. Realmuto behind the plate. Realmuto has caught at 110 games in eight of his 11 major league seasons. Two of the other seasons were in 2014, in which Realmuto played in nine major league games, and the shortened 2020 season. Realmuto caught 99 games last season due to needing knee surgery, which led to some missed time. In 2022 and 2023, Realmuto led the majors in games caught with 133 in both of those seasons.
Phillies Working to Develop Homegrown Defensive Versatility
Positions And Players That Would Be Impacted The Most
Gelb notes comments from Phillies manager Rob Thomson indicating that having Realmuto play left field is being considered. However, Gelb writes that it is not likely that Realmuto will get any outfield work during spring training. With that being said, it is clear the team wants Realmuto not to catch as much. Realmuto has 51 major league appearances, including 27 career starts, at first base. Realmuto’s most recent appearance at first base came in 2022, and he has not started there since 2021. Realmuto made three appearances at first base in 2022 and 16 with seven starts in 2021. In this scenario, Bryce Harper would be the designated hitter or get a day off. However, the team should consider having Harper play outfield.
Kyle Schwarber will be affected the most by this effort to have Realmuto play other positions besides catcher. Gelb mentioned that Schwarber had been doing drills at first base. Schwarber has 11 major league appearances, with nine starts, at first base. 10 of those appearances came when Schwarber was on the Boston Red Sox in 2021. Schwarber will probably see more time in left field this season, regardless, as Gelb mentions. Realmuto or Harper being the designated hitter more frequently would necessitate that. Schwarber made five appearances in left field last season. It is also worth noting that Schwarber is better defensively at first base than in left field.
Other Factors And Further Options Under Consideration
Max Kepler, who signed with the Phillies in free agency, has never played left field in the majors. Kepler will learn a new position while trying to keep his spot in the lineup. Edmundo Sosa is expected to get work in the outfield during spring training, per Gelb. There was some discussion about having Sosa play in the outfield last season. Sosa has made two major league appearances in left field and two major league appearances in center field. If the Phillies follow through with Sosa getting outfield work, he could end up platooning with Kepler. Against left-handed pitchers, Kepler has a career of 78 wRC+ compared to a career of 110 wRC+ for Sosa. Based on the baseball savant range ratings, putting Sosa in center field is probably better than playing him in left field.
Rafael Marchán will likely be the Phillies backup catcher based on having no minor league options. Garrett Stubbs does have a minor league option available. Durability is a concern for Marchán. Last season, Marchán played in 55 games between the majors and the minors. Marchán made 55 appearances in the minor leagues in 2023 as well. The 2021 season saw Marchán play 88 games between the majors and minors, the most he has played in a season. Realmuto playing other positions more often means the backup catcher needs to be able to handle an increased workload behind the plate. Marchán needs to be able to remain healthy for this plan to work. The Phillies do not have much catching depth.
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