Phillies 2017 Season Preview: Center Fielder Odubel Herrera

By Tyler King |

Jul 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) hits a solo home run during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Phillies centerfielder Odubel Herrera is coming off an All-Star appearance in just his second full season in the major leagues. He will look to continue his rise as one of the game’s best young outfielders.

Odubel Herrera is already the best Rule 5 selection the Phillies have ever made, and he has the chance to be the best Rule 5 picks in the history of the draft.

Last season Herrera was the Phillies’ most consistent and productive hitter for much of the 2016 season. He finished with a .286/.36/.420 line with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs.

Although Herrera did not have as high of an average as his rookie campaign, he became a much more patient hitter and took more pitches. This resulted in a walk total that more than doubled his total from his rookie season, going from 28 walks in 2015 to 63 in 2016.

Herrera also saw an increase in his power numbers as he hit double-digit home runs in a season for the first time with 15 last season.

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Herrera had an outstanding first half of the season and it earned him his first appearance in the All-Star game. He was the only Phillie to make the National League All-Star team.

The biggest improvement from Herrera’s rookie season to last season was with his defense. Herrera was a natural second baseman throughout his time in the Texas Rangers’ organization, so the outfield was something very new to Herrera when he came to the Phillies.

Herrera wound up being a finalist for the Gold Glove award at his position thanks to the improvements he made.

Herrera’s successful season earned him a nice contract extension in the offseason. The Phillies and Herrera agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $30.5 million that includes a $12.5 million team option for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Herrera was already under contract through the 2020 season, but this new contract delays his free agency by at least one year and earns him a nice raise in the final years of this deal.

With this new contract comes higher expectations for this season and beyond.

Herrera became the team’s everyday three-hole hitter in Pete Mackanin’s lineup towards the end of last season, and it’s likely he will begin the 2017 season starting in center field and batting third in the team’s everyday lineup.

Despite his young age and only having played two full seasons, Herrera has the potential to make a big jump in 2017.

Despite his young age and only having played two full seasons, Herrera has the potential to make a big jump in 2017.

Herrera already showed last season that he has the ability to play at an All-Star level, and he will look to continue to become a well-rounded player this season.

However, it’s his bat that could eventually turn him into an elite player.

Mackanin said last week that despite having an unorthodox stance and style, he thinks Herrera can be one of the best hitters in the National League.

“I think with a little more plate discipline, he can have a shot to win a batting title,” Mackanin told CSNPhilly.com. “He’s got good hand-eye coordination, and he’s what I call a hit collector.”

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Even though Herrera may be the team’s future at center field as of now, there a still a few players in the minor leagues that could put pressure on Herrera should he take a drop off and they perform extremely well in Triple-A. Those two prospects are Roman Quinn and Nick Williams.

Quinn was a September call-up last season, and although he played primarily in left field during his time in the majors, he has played in center field for the majority of his time in the Phillies’ system.

Williams had a down year in 2016 and will look to bounce back with a strong season in 2017. Williams can play all three positions in the outfield, but has said he feels most comfortable in center field, and he definitely has the range and arm strength to play in center field at the major league level.

Next: Phillies 2017 Season Preview: 1B Tommy Joseph

Despite the talent level in Triple-A, expect Herrera to be the driving force of the Phillies’ offense in 2017 and don’t be surprised if he’s playing in his second straight All-Star game this June.

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