What’s the Future for Phillies 2B Prospect Scott Kingery?
Could Kingery be caught behind Cesar Hernandez as the Phillies second baseman?
Once Chase Utley was traded to the Dodgers it appeared Scott Kingery was the heir in waiting for the Phillies second baseman job. Cesar Hernandez was simply a stopgap with a decent glove and speed, likely to evolve into a utility player.
A lot has changed since The Man was moved to Los Angeles, the main difference being Hernandez’s breakout campaign.
The 26-year-old is hitting .329 with eight extra-base hits, while tied for second in all of baseball in hits with 24.
So if Hernandez is emerging to be one of the best young second basemen in baseball, where does the Phillies #11 prospect go?
Kingery looks to have outgrown Reading already by hitting .294 with five home runs and nearly as many walks as strikeouts. He’s reached base safely in 13 of 14 games for Philadelphia’s Double-A squad, giving him an OPS of 1.069 this year.
Kingery could potentially move to third if Maikel Franco fails to develop properly, or first should Rhys Hoskins falter similarly to Darin Ruf.
Hernandez also has experience in the outfield and at third, although losing his glove on the right side of the infield would be less than ideal.
Coaches and fans have grown to appreciate Kingery, having likened him to Utley, and would be hard pressed to move him in any trade.
Time will ultimately tell for Kingery, but the Phillies have a good problem on their hands with two potential star second basemen in their organization.