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Philadelphia Phillies: Who should start in the outfield?

By Anthony Mazziotti

May 7, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Aaron Altherr (23) watches his game-tying pinch-hit home run during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 6-5 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Aaron Altherr (23) watches his game-tying pinch-hit home run during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 6-5 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia Phillies will have a problem on their hands in the near future. There are three outfield positions and four players who earned the right to start.

A good problem to have, but a problem nonetheless for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Throughout the season, Aaron Altherr, Michael Saunders, Odubel Herrera, and Howie Kendrick have shown that they are deserving of everyday at-bats. Herrera has the everyday centerfield position locked up, leaving Altherr, Saunders, and Kendrick to fight for the two corner outfield positions.

Before being placed on the DL, Howie Kendrick was batting .333 and had an OBP of .395 in 39 at bats. He has five RBIs and five extra-base hits to boot. He achieved these numbers in 10 games. Kendrick has been on the DL since April 18 with a strained abdomen. Prior to his injury Kendrick had the everyday left field spot locked up for the Philadelphia Phillies, now that he’s been out for almost a month there are a few question marks.

Kendrick’s primary replacement has been Aaron Altherr. Altherr was supposed to be an everyday outfielder last season, but his season was cut short due to a broken wrist in Spring Training. Since taking over everyday duties as the Philadelphia Phillies everyday outfielder, Altherr is batting an impressive .338 and an OBP of .425 in 70 at bats.

Combine that with his five home runs (tying his career high), 17 RBIs, and eight extra base hits, and you have one of the best hitters on the Phils roster. What Altherr has done at the dish so far this season is impressive and he showed us what he would have done last season had he not been slowed down by a broken wrist. Altherr has earned the right to be an everyday corner outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies.

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This leaves Kendrick fighting with Saunders for the final corner outfield spot. On the season Saunders is hitting .245 with a .298 OBP. He has 12 RBIs, three homeruns, and six extra base hits. Unlike Kendrick and Altherr, Saunders has had over one hundred at bats so far this season. While Saunders’ numbers don’t jump off the page like Altherr and Kendrick, he is coming off a 32 homerun season, something neither player has come close to in the past.

At the end of the day, two of the three outfield positions should be locked up by Odubel Herrera and Aaron Altherr. Both players should be a part of the Philadelphia Phillies long term plans. Giving two players everyday reps in hopes to flip them for prospects is a silly thing to do when you have someone putting up all-star numbers behind them.

I’m not saying the Phils should give up on Kendrick and Saunders. They should both contribute this season, just not at the expense of Aaron Altherr. My solution would be to have Kendrick split time with Saunders in the outfield and also with Tommy Joseph at first base. It’s no secret that Joseph is struggling right now if he needs a break Kendrick has the ability to play first base. This would give Saunders ample reps in the outfield and allow Kendrick to show off his adaptability.

The truth is, Kendrick and Saunders are likely to be moved at the deadline. If they make it past the deadline they will find a new home in the offseason. The Philadelphia Phillies have some outfield prospects that could easily take the place of Kendrick and Saunders. Nick Williams and Roman Quinn could come up and replace them in a heartbeat. Both Williams and Quinn should be up by September at the latest and have more upside than two players on the wrong side of 30.

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Having more skilled players than positions is a good problem to have. I trust that Pete Mackanin will find creative ways to get Altherr, Kendrick, and Saunders the necessary at bats to make this team successful. Mackanin tends to roll with the hot hand so Altherr should have an everyday spot until he shows otherwise. Let’s hope that Saunders and Kendrick can find ways to be productive in part-time roles. The Philadelphia Phillies outfield will be fun to watch in the not-so-distant future. In no time at all it could be one of the best in professional baseball.

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