Phillies: Who should win outfield playing time competition?

Phillies manager Gabe Kapler indicated that there will be a competition for playing time in center and right field. Who should come out on top?

After telling reporters that there will be a competition for third base, Phillies manager Gabe Kapler also stated there will be a competition for playing time in center and right field. Kapler said it will be between Odubel Herrera, Roman Quinn, Nick Williams, and Aaron Altherr. This unsurprisingly leaves Andrew McCutchen as the starting left fielder.

With such an open field, which players should receive a bulk of the playing time? Of course, this conversation completely changes with the potential signing of Bryce Harper, but for now, he remains a free agent.

First looking at center field, the primary competitors are Herrera and Quinn. Herrera had the worst year of his career so far in 2018, posting a .255/.310/.420 line and just 0.9 Fangraphs wins above replacement. Quinn took away some of Herrera’s time in August and September, performing adequately with a .729 OPS and 0.2 fWAR in 50 games.

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Herrera has the longer track record of success in the majors, but he will obviously have to show he can bounce back from 2018. His improved physical shape coming into Clearwater has been one of the early storylines in camp, but it remains to be seen how he will perform once games begin.

Meanwhile, Quinn flashed potential in stretches during his time in the majors, but injuries will always be a huge concern for him.

He has never been healthy for a full professional season and simply may not be able to withstand a starter’s workload for a full year.

Whoever loses out in center field would then compete with Altherr and Williams in right. Williams had the best offensive season of the four with the best OPS+ and wRC+. However, his defense was abysmal in right field last year with -15 defensive runs saved and a -16.1 UZR/150. Williams would be better served in left field, but that already belongs to McCutchen.

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Altherr struggled immensely at the plate in 2018 with a .181/.295/.333 line, 31.9% strikeout rate, and -0.4 fWAR. He was demoted midseason before returning as a September call-up. He performed much better upon returning in 37 plate appearances, but it certainly wasn’t enough to indicate his issues were fixed.

Altherr is a better defensive option in right field than Williams with two DRS and a -1.4 UZR/150 at the position in 1167.1 innings at the position in his career. He also provides serviceable defense in center field, which may make him a better fourth outfielder option.

Each player in the competition offers their strengths and weaknesses, but none jumps out as the clear-cut favorite (which further fuels the club’s desire to add Harper). Even if they don’t add Harper, they may decide to trade one of their outfielders to fill an extra spot.

If you were to ask me now, I envision Herrera and Quinn as the starters with Altherr serving as the fourth outfielder. His ability to play all three outfield positions would make the difference between him and Williams. I think Williams is one of the team’s better trade assets, and this scenario would put him in a position to be traded.

As noted earlier, this all changes if Harper enters the picture. Until he does, we will have to wait and see how this competition progresses in Clearwater.