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Fansided

Philadelphia Phillies: One is the Lonliest Number

By Chuck Booth

Jul 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) celebrates with starting pitcher Vince Velasquez (28) in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Braves, 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) celebrates with starting pitcher Vince Velasquez (28) in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Braves, 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Yesterday Odubel Herrera was selected as a backup for the National League All-Star team as the Philadelphia Phillies’ lone representative.

He has been the only consistent contributor to the Philadelphia Phillies’ offense and truly deserved the nod for the midsummer classic. The only other member of the Phillies with a valid case to make the game was Jeanmar Gomez but with the number of outstanding pitchers in the National League it’s easy to see how a closer having a good year got snubbed. Sadly you can’t have all the players that you may want.

It’s interesting that Herrera is even a member of the Phillies at this point because most teams would have protected him from the Rule Five Draft but the Rangers’ farm system is so deep that they couldn’t afford to add the outfielder to the 40-man roster.

That opened the door for the Phillies to select him in 2015. Herrera kept his spot on the team by blossoming into a solid .297 hitter in his rookie hear but that couldn’t have prepared anyone for the breakout that was to come this season. This season Hererra has a triple slash line of .302/.388/.441 along with ten homers and 32 RBIs.

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    • Herrera has taken a major step forward and leads the Philadelphia Phillies in almost every offensive category. Most impressive has been his improved plate discipline that has led to him serving as the leadoff hitter for most of the season (even though a spot in the 2-3 hole seems to be his future role). Herrera has already taken more walks this season (43) than he did all of last season (28).

    While much of the talk around the Philadelphia Phillies has been about their prospects and what the core will be once JP Crawford comes up Herrera has firmly inserted himself into those future plans. He’s not the type of players that will make headlines with his play (unless he does more epic bat flips) but he’s the kind of guy that a team needs to turn the lineup over or come up with a clutch hit to keep them in the game.

    The offensive side isn’t the only place where Herrera has improved, he also has made strides defensively after being a converted second baseman that was thrown into the outfield because his defense at his position wasn’t good enough to cut it in the major. In only his second year playing in the outfield full-time Herrera has become a natural which is important with the priority that Pete Mackanin places on defense.

    It’s awesome to see his rise to stardom be capped off with an all-star trip but Herrera can’t stop there. With a good second half, the Philadelphia Phillies catalyst could be in line for a Silver Slugger, the perfect cherry on top of the best season of his young career.

    Next: Cameron Rupp Proving His Worth

    While he may be the only member of the Philadelphia Phillies being showcased this year it will grow as soon as next year. If Jerad Eickhoff is able to keep up the form that he’s shown over his last seven starts he may be in line for an appearance next year. He has a 2.25 ERA in 44 innings pitched thanks to improved control and a killer curveball now that he has found his groove.

    Be sure to cheer on Herrera on Tuesday, July 12th at 8pm Eastern Time as he takes the field at Petco Park in San Diego.

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