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Phillies: Potential DH options if new rules are enacted

By George Stockburger

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 14: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a two run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on September 14, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Marlins 14-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 14: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a two run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on September 14, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Marlins 14-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – JULY 13: Scott Kingery #4 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a single during the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on July 13, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – JULY 13: Scott Kingery #4 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a single during the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on July 13, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Scott Kingery

It hurts to take Scott Kingery’s glove off the field, but for now, he needs to get consistent at-bats against major league pitching, something he isn’t expected to see in 2019.

Cesar Hernandez hasn’t been traded this offseason, something many Phillies fans and insiders expected when the offseason started. The second base market hasn’t played into the Phillies’ favor, leaving Hernandez as a roadblock to Kingery, once the top second base prospect in baseball.

Kingery doesn’t fit the DH mold, but Gabe Kapler doesn’t fit into the prototypical manager mold. The designated hitter could turn into more than a big guy who can’t field and can only hit 40 home runs.  It could be another efficient bat in the lineup, and while Kingery hasn’t proven to be that yet, he’ll only get better with playing time.

In 452 at-bats Kingery hit .226 with eight home runs. He was touted as a player who could hit .280 every year when he was working his way up, and Chase Utley comparisons, while unfair, were attached to Kingery at a young age. As early as draft day Phillies fans have had that combination in their head.

There’s zero room for Kingery other than the bench as a super utility player. Adding the designated hitter to the National League this year only means good things for the future second baseman in Philadelphia.

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