Phillies Spring Training: Perkins, Stassi Fighting for Roster Spot
The Phillies bench could use some lefty pop this season
Earlier this week I broke down how the Phillies bench could shape up by the end of spring training. A major piece of the puzzle Philadelphia’s bench will be missing is a left-handed bat with some power to play in clutch situations.
Andres Blanco provides the ability to switch-hit, but his defense and lack of power limit his availability in certain situations.
That lack of power presents a significant opportunity for two Phillies minor leaguers to make their dreams of playing in the majors come true.
Cam Perkins and Brock Stassi are both in their mid-20’s and have never made it past Triple-A in their professional careers. Each bringing a left-handed bat to the table, the Phillies could very well give one the opportunity to make the 25-man roster.
In Friday’s spring opener both Perkins and Stassi hit solo home runs in the ninth inning in a 9-4 loss to the Yankees. While Perkins will provide more professional at-bast and hits, Stassi brings pure power, evident by his 12 home runs with the Iron Pigs last year.
While neither Perkins nor Stassi will be keystones to the Phillies next championship run both have an opportunity to play this year.
Stassi could potentially have the upper hand over Perkins, who primarily plays in the outfield. Stassi could be the back-up first baseman, while also providing enough versatility to play in the outfield.
This creates one of the more intriguing battles in a camp where most, if not all, of the starting jobs are set heading towards opening day.