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Phillies: Previewing the bench for 2019

By Travis Strominger

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 14: Roman Quinn #24 of the Philadelphia Phillies high fives his teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo homerun in the bottom of the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on September 14, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 14: Roman Quinn #24 of the Philadelphia Phillies high fives his teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo homerun in the bottom of the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on September 14, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 4: Nick Williams #5 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates hitting his two run home run with manager Gabe Kapler #22 in the bottom of the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park on July 4, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Orioles 4-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Major questions remain regarding the Phillies bench going into 2019

The 2019 offseason for the Phillies has been focused on Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, and to a much lesser extent the additions of David Robertson, Jean Segura, Andrew McCutchen, and potentially another starting pitcher.

If nothing changes and the Phillies “strike out” on the two major free-agents, the opening day starters are likely set.

Here are the projected starting eight fielders for Philadelphia.

C: Jorge Alfaro
1B: Rhys Hoskins
2B: Cesar Hernandez
SS: Jean Segura
3B: Maikel Franco
LF: Andrew McCutchen
CF: Odubel Hererra
RF: Nick Williams

More than likely Aaron Nola gets the opening day start coming off his Cy Young campaign.

How will the Phillies opt to round out their bench? The team has a bevy of options available. Let’s take a look.

Option 1: Roman Quinn

This one comes as no surprise. Quinn, who could very well end up starting in the outfield, had a solid finish to the 2018 season. Unlike most of the other fielders on the team, his outfield Defensive-Runs-Saved (DRS) was 0, approximately league average. Not bad for a team that was so terrible with fielding that it finished 85 runs worse than the next playoff team.

Quinn’s biggest concern is still his injury history, and a limited role will help him ease into the season.

Plus, if Hererra goes back to his end-of-2018 ways, this list could have a different name.

Option 2: Scott Kingery

Signing Kingery last winter to a 6-year, $24 million contract means that he is not going anywhere. Because of the structuring of his contract, he is still only due $1.5 million next year.

As I wrote before, he will likely be used in a super-utility role, filling in at infield positions in the event of injuries. With Quinn, the addition of McCutchen, and possibly the addition of Bryce Harper, it’s unlikely that Kingery will play any innings in the outfield next season after seven appearances last year.

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