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Phillies 2016 Grades: Outfielders

By Matt Veasey

Jul 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Peter Bourjos (17) and left fielder Tyler Goeddel (2) and center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) celebrate a victory against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Peter Bourjos (17) and left fielder Tyler Goeddel (2) and center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) celebrate a victory against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bourjos (17) is doused with gatorade after hitting a walk off game winning single during the eleventh inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 5-4 in the eleventh inning. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bourjos (17) is doused with gatorade after hitting a walk off game winning single during the eleventh inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 5-4 in the eleventh inning. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

PETER BOURJOS

Bourjos will be a free agent this coming off-season, and I wouldn’t lay strong odds that he will return for the 2017 season when he will turn 30 years of age at the end of spring training.

He was brought here as a veteran presence to eat up innings while some of the club’s top prospects, most notably Quinn and Nick Williams, continued their minor league development.

Bourjos has indeed provided those innings. He is second to Herrera among the club’s outfielders in games played (122) and innings 877.2, the overwhelming majority of that time coming out in right field.

Now in his seventh big league season, Bourjos hit for a .251/.292/.389 slash line with five homers, 23 RBI, and 40 runs scored across 383 plate appearances.

Those are wholly unacceptable offensive numbers for a starting outfielder, but it was known from the beginning that Bourjos has never been a big offensive producer. He was brought here to provide speed, defense, and a bit of a veteran presence.

He fielded his position well, making just one error over 204 total chances in 877.2 innings. It is fairly obvious to me that Bourjos is a 5th outfielder, or a AAA starter available in case of injury emergencies.

Bourjos has seen his playing time reduce over the last few weeks with the return to health of Aaron Altherr, and the promotion of players like Quinn and Asche once the minor league season ended.

Frankly, Bourjos did nothing overly impressive this season. Certainly nothing that makes me interested in having the Phillies bring him back.

GRADE: D+

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