The Philadelphia Phillies didn’t come into Spring Training with a lot of suspense. The Phillies have one of the best lineups in Major League Baseball after averaging 4.84 runs per game last season and their pitching staff is virtually locked in with the fifth spot in the rotation and a long relief position in the bullpen remaining up for grabs.
But while some have taken advantage of the opportunity, others have struggled as Grapefruit League play has started. One of those battles has occurred on the end of the Phillies bench and it could lead to the end of one player’s time in Philadelphia before the Phillies travel to take on the Washington Nationals on Opening Day.
Phillies Utilityman Buddy Kennedy Losing Battle For Final Position Player Spot
Spring Training started well for Buddy Kennedy, even as he entered camp without a minor league option. The 26-year-old spent most of the offseason training with Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout in an effort to become more versatile and he caught the eye of Phillies manager Rob Thomson after playing first base and hitting a home run in his Grapefruit League debut last month.
With Weston Wilson’s oblique injury opening a roster spot, Kennedy’s right-handed bat seemed like a perfect complement to a position group that’s filled with left-handers. But as Spring Training has progressed, Kennedy has struggled, putting his job in jeopardy.
Kennedy has played in nine Spring Training games and while he’s been used all over the field, he’s also gone 3-for-17 at the plate with four walks and seven strikeouts. Although he’s posted a .922 OPS on the strength of two homers, he’s had too many empty at-bats compared to his competition, Kody Clemens.
Clemens is also out of options and a left-handed bat, which would decrease his odds of making the roster. But with the ability to play the corner infield spots and left field, Clemens’s performance at the plate has made the difference.
The 28-year-old has hit well in seven games, going 6-for-18 with a home run and three RBI. While he also has four strikeouts and no walks, his previous experience with the Phillies could be the difference between heading to Washington or another roster through waivers.
Both players are light hitters with Clemens posting a .200/.246/.373 line with 14 homers and 48 RBI in 146 career games, and Kennedy hitting .203/.295/.313 with two home runs and 19 RBI in 54 career games. But with Wilson unlikely to be with the team in the first month, it appears Clemens has the edge and could outlast Kennedy for the final roster spot.