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Phillies-Giants: Five things to watch for during the series

By George Stockburger

Jun 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Philadelphia Phillies stretch on the field during warm ups before a game against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Philadelphia Phillies stretch on the field during warm ups before a game against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 20, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants infielder Austin Slater poses for a portrait during photo day at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants infielder Austin Slater poses for a portrait during photo day at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco has searched for their starting corner outfielders for years, and they hope the former eighth-round draft pick can be one of those guys. Former Phillie Hunter Pence landing on the disabled list with a hamstring and the Giants sitting at 22-33 prompted the organization to call upon their 17th overall prospect Austin Slater.

Slater is projected to start in right field against the Phillies at some point this weekend.

The Phillies passed on Slater in the eighth round of the 2014 MLB Draft, instead going with high school pitcher Sam McWilliams, who’s no longer with the organization.

In 46 games for Triple-A Sacramento this year Slater hit .322 with 16 extra-base hits while producing an OPS of .841.

Slater will be a relative unknown in the series, which could play into the Phillies hands. They’ll either be able to dominate the inexperienced 24-year-old and take advantage of his early butterflies, or he’ll bring something they didn’t expect.

Knowing this current team, I’d expect the later.

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