Five Phillies lineup possibilities for the 2018 season

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 21: Manager Charlie Manuel #41 of the Philadelphia Phillies adjusts the lineup card during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals in a MLB baseball game on April 21, 2013 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 21: Manager Charlie Manuel #41 of the Philadelphia Phillies adjusts the lineup card during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals in a MLB baseball game on April 21, 2013 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Traditional

  1. 2B Cesar Hernandez
  2. SS J.P. Crawford
  3. LF Rhys Hoskins
  4. 1B Carlos Santana
  5. RF Nick Williams
  6. CF Odubel Herrera
  7. 3B Maikel Franco
  8. C Jorge Alfaro
  9. P Aaron Nola

This is the lineup that fits all the normal conventions of a baseball lineup. Speedy, high on-base percentage hitter Cesar Hernandez leads off with another high-OBP player, J.P. Crawford follows him up. The best two hitters on the team (Rhys Hoskins and newcomer Carlos Santana) carry the heart of the order.

Nick Williams and Odubel Herrera both offer some pop in the fifth and sixth spot. Maikel Franco and Jorge Alfaro both can hit for some power in the bottom of the lineup and can get hot for stretches.

This lineup assumes that Aaron Altherr is on the bench or traded at some point this offseason. He is likely the odd man out if no one gets moved from the outfield. The bench probably also consists of Andrew Knapp as the backup catcher, plus a utility man and maybe one more backup position player. Kapler and general manager Matt Klentak have said the team might carry an eight-man bullpen, so it would leave them with a four-man bench.