Philadelphia Phillies: Why Matt Vierling is your new favorite player
By Tim Boyle
Need a new favorite member of the Philadelphia Phillies? What about Matt Vierling?
He’s not an MVP. He’s not a Gold Glover. He isn’t even one of the sluggers the team brought in this offseason Vierling is simply a minor piece in a bigger plan.
You got your first sips of Vierling last year with 34 games, 77 plate appearances, and a promising start to his big league career. This season, he is expected to compete against Odubel Herrera for the center field job. You have your reason right there.
Meet Matt Vierling, your new favorite Philadelphia Phillies player.
Center field has been a question for the Phillies for several years. Even prior to Herrera’s suspension, there was only a limited time when he looked like the guy for the job. He has always been frustrating to watch despite what the numbers sometimes suggest.
Phillies fans were spoiled by Shane Victorino. Even Lenny Dykstra and his vitamins gave an expectation so few center fielders could even come close to matching. Whether you come from the generation of Garry Maddox, Richie Ashburn, or simply fell in love with Aaron Rowand when he sacrificed his face to make a play, center field is an important position to you.
Herrera will not be ready for Opening Day which means for the fifth-straight year there will be a different man in center field to begin the year. Dating back to 2018, the team has put Aaron Altherr, Odubel Herrera, Roman Quinn, and Adam Haseley at the position for game number one. It’s a cavalcade of Four-A players with only Herrera showing big league stuff on a regular basis.
Vierling could just as easily become one of those same guys. He has a lot to prove but should have the fan base to back him up. Re-signing Herrera was an out-of-touch move by the front office. It was time to finally move on from him.
Fortunately, Vierling will get the starting center field job on Opening Day. He’ll get his chance to take the lead in the competition. The better the start, the more willing the Phillies may be to nix the idea of a platoon and ride with Vierling hot bat. Herrera is not making enough money for them to justify any sort of change.
There should be a lot of Bryce Harper jerseys at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark this year. A few more Zack Wheeler ones will probably show up, too. And for the first time in history, Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos will have their fans in South Philly cheering them on.
Next. The Phillies don't need a third base competition. dark
Those stars will be the ones to carry the Phillies to victory. Vierling, however, will be the “little guy” many are rooting for the hardest to earn his keep. Not just to displace Herrera but also because it’s about time a young Phillies player shows some consistency at the big league level.