Phillies OF Has Help on the Way with Aaron Altherr
Phillies outfielder Aaron Altherr could be close to a return from the DL
Philadelphia’s offensive has struggled for the majority of the season, especially in the outfield. With All-Star Odubel Herrera carrying much of the load offensively, the combinations of Jimmy Paredes, Cody Asche, Peter Bourjos, Darin Ruf, Emmanuel Burris, Tyler Goeddel, and Cedric Hunter have been among the worst in all of baseball.
While Asche and Bourjos have picked up the pace lately, their ability to sustain their current hot-streak is brought into question.
With those issues in mind, the Phillies should be optimistic in their potential with young outfielder Aaron Altherr reportedly being close to starting a rehab assignment after injuring his wrist during spring training.
He underwent surgery, and was due to miss four-six months. He is just a couple of days shy of being four months removed from surgery.
OF Aaron Altherr could be about five weeks from a return, Matt Klentak said.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) July 5, 2016
Altherr batted .241 with five home runs and 22 RBIs in 39 games with the Phillies last season, but came up after a breakout season with the Iron Pigs. His ability to stay in the big leagues is unkown up to this point.
With prospects such as Nick Williams, Mickey Moniak, Cornelius Randolph, Roman Quinn, and Dylan Cozens due to be the offensive catalysts of the future, Altherr will need to prove his worth fairly quickly.
Peter Bourjos is a prime trade candidate with his combination of defense and speed, which could create a hole in right field for Altherr to get some consistent at-bats. Bourjos’s breakout performance at the plate makes him even easier for Matt Klentak to make a move.
Altherr can be viewed in the same light as Darin Ruf, John Mayberry Jr., or Pete Orr; a “Quadruple-A player who performs well in the minors, but can not make the transition to the pros.
Should the Phillies not make any moves at the trade deadline later this month (which is unlikely), Jimmy Paredes would be the most likely candidate to be sent packing.
The Phillies will take on the Atlanta Braves Wednesday afternoon after Zach Eflin pitched a complete game Tuesday in a 5-1 win.