Phillies: Bryce Harper domino effect could last decades
The bench players come into focus and young talent get less playing time
Aside from Williams and Altherr the Phillies bench could have a couple of young outfielders who are on the 40-man roster. Roman Quinn and Dylan Cozens each saw time in the big leagues last year and performed at various levels in limited opportunities.
A lot of people have always seen Cozens as an extra outfielder with pop after he set records in the minor leagues. The lefty hit 40 home runs in a hitter-friendly Reading ballpark back in 2016 but hasn’t put up similar numbers anywhere else. In Lehigh Valley, he mashed 27 home runs two years ago and 21 last year when he bounced between the IronPigs and Phillies.
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In 26 major league games Cozens has just one home run and hit .246; a small sample size but perhaps an outlook to what his career will be. It’s likely Cozens’ ceiling is nothing more than a fourth outfielder but with Harper on board, it’s likely Cozens starts the year in Lehigh Valley and is the seventh outfielder behind a bevy of options in Philadelphia.
Another intriguing player who will lose playing time is Quinn, the former top prospect who is as injury prone as any player in the game. A lot of people like the switch-hitter’s bat and speed, but he’s played just 123 games over the last two years and played just 92 games in 2016.
Quinn has impressed in the big leagues and should the Phillies move Altherr and/or Williams Quinn is the next man up off the bench. That might not be a bad thing for all parties, though Quinn would surely like to be an everyday player.