Odubel Herrera draws the most debate among Phillies fans, but no one can discredit his latest performance
Entering Monday night’s game against San Francisco Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera has reached base safely in 35 consecutive games, dating back to last season. His streak is the longest active streak in baseball, and the second-longest for the Phillies in over a decade.
Since 2005, Jimmy Rollins holds the longest on-base streak in franchise history, reaching in 38 consecutive games as part of his 38 game hit streak from August 23 through April 5 of the following season.
Surprisingly, the franchise record of consecutive games reaching base isn’t largely/publically recorded by the team or any of the major statistic trackers. After searching through some of the top offensive producers in team history since 1950 (sorry Ed Delehanty) four players had remarkable streaks better than Rollins’ 2005-06 season.
At the same time, players such as Darin Ruf had streaks that went by the wayside, namely Ruf’s 33 consecutive games reaching base in 2012-13.
With that being said, here are some of the more recognizable streaks in franchise history since 1950.
Mike Schmidt, 1981-82 – 56 games
Bobby Abreu, 2000-01 – 52 games
Richie Ashburn, 1953 – 44 games
Pete Rose, 1982 – 41 games
Jimmy Rollins, 2005-06 – 38 games
Chase Utley, 2006 – 35 games
Bobby Abreu, 2006 – 34 games
Chase Utley, 2008-09 – 33 games
Darin Ruf, 2012-13 – 33 games
Herrera has 46 hits during his remarkable streak, hitting .338 with 14 extra-base hits and 10 walks.
The 26-year-old Venezuelan is known for his occasional mistakes on the basepaths and in the outfield matched with finesse at the plate. That combination of style and snafus has irked fans and pundits alike, but no one can discredit Herrera’s early success at the major league level.
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In 462 career games, Herrera already has 500 hits, 143 extra-base hits, and 50 stolen bases. He’s just 10 home runs away from joining the 50/50/500 club, and being one of the fastest players in franchise history to reach that milestone. Should he hit 10 home runs in his next 131 games, he’d be the third-fastest Phillies player to join the club behind Abreu and Juan Samuel, and slightly ahead of Scott Rolen.
The arrival of wam weather, better known as “hittin’ season” should assist in the power numbers for Herrera.
Herrera’s .333 batting average is tied for second in the National League behind Braves outfielder Nick Markakis and matched with Mets infielder Asdrúbal Cabrera. Among National League hitters, “El Torito” is fourth in hits and third in singles, shining even more light on his ability to play “small ball” at the plate.
Next: Phillies 2018 season preview: Outfielder Odubel Herrera
Herrera will have the opportunity to continue his historic on-base streak Monday night against Jeff Samardjzia and the San Francisco Giants. In 12 games against San Francisco Herrera has hit .382 with 10 extra-base hits, but has never faced the 33-year-old Samardzija.