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Phillies 2017 season grades: Outfielder Aaron Altherr

By Kerry Kauffman

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Aaron Altherr #23 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park on September 18, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Dodgers 4-3. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Aaron Altherr #23 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park on September 18, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Dodgers 4-3. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The Phillies have a solid core in place moving forward with the 2017 season over. Outfielder Aaron Altherr is definitely part of that core.

While finishing 2017 with a 66-96 record, the Phillies showed promise in the second half of the season. They appear to have a solid young core in place. Part of that core includes outfielder Aaron Altherr, who put together a good season, despite missing significant time due to injury.

Altherr displayed raw potential in 2015 with 11 doubles, four triples, five home runs and an .827 OPS in 137 at-bats. Last season, he disappointed with only ten extra base hits and 67 strikeouts in 198 at-bats, while posting a poor .597 OPS.

After playing little the first two weeks of this season, Altherr saw every day action once Howie Kednrick was injured and played well the rest of April. He ended the month batting .295 with an .877 OPS. The production increased in May to an eye-opening .300 average, .402 on-base percentage and .962 OPS. He finished the month with six home runs and 22 RBI in 100 at-bats.

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After a relatively mediocre month of June in  which he hit .250 with five home runs, Altherr had an excellent July with a .356 average and 1.186 OPS, despite missing ten games.

Altherr was on pace for perhaps a 25 to 30 home run season before missing over a month from Aug. 4 through Sep. 8 due to injury. Upon returning from injury, Altherr struggled the rest of the way, hitting .215 with three home runs.

In the field, Altherr is a Gold Glove Award winner in the making. Playing all three outfield positions, he had seven assists and only three errors, for a .986 fielding percentage.

Altherr finished with 48 extra-base hits in 372 at-bats, a .272 average, 19 home runs and an .856 OPS. He has the speed to steal more than the five bases he swiped this season and he needs to improve on his 104-to-32 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

B. . OF. Philadelphia Phillies. AARON ALTHERR

If Altherr could have stayed healthy, his grade could have reached an A-. Missing time affected his overall numbers and play down the stretch, but he still receives a solid B.

Next: Phillies 2017 season grade: Third baseman Maikel Franco

With a similar body type and skill set of Hall of Fame Dave Winfield and borderline Hall of Famer Dave Parker, the sky is the limit for Altherr.

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