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Phillies: 10 keys to winning the National League East

CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 11: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies talks to manager Gabe Kapler prior to a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Spectrum Field on March 11, 2019 in Clearwater, Florida. The Rays won 8-2. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FL - MARCH 11: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies talks to manager Gabe Kapler prior to a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Spectrum Field on March 11, 2019 in Clearwater, Florida. The Rays won 8-2. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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CLEARWATER, FL – MARCH 16: Odubel Herrera (37) of the Phillies relaxes on the steps down into the dugout during the spring training game between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 16, 2019 at the Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FL – MARCH 16: Odubel Herrera (37) of the Phillies relaxes on the steps down into the dugout during the spring training game between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on March 16, 2019 at the Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Odubel Herrera has to stay locked in for the entire season

Asking Odubel Herrera to be the player he was early in 2018 is a lot, but the young, electric outfielder must stay focused for the Phillies to succeed in 2019.

Everyone in baseball knows how Herrera rolls during a season. He’ll hit .320 one month then the next hit .100 with aggravating mistakes and errors on the field. Last season he opened the season in spectacular fashion, hitting .361 in his first 40 games. Everything went downhill after that when he hit .189 in the final two months of the season.

The nickname “Ohdubel” will stick to him every time there’s a baserunning mistake or a misplayed ball in the field that most minor leaguers could make.

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ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 16: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks in the dugout after being called out at second base in the third inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on April 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

The organization challenged Herrera publically and privately to step up this season and prove he’s worthy of the $30.5 million contract extension he signed prior to 2017. Including this year Herrera has three guaranteed seasons remaining on his deal with two team options following. There’s some security for Herrera with that contract and the answer of whether or not Mike Trout would take his job. However, the Phillies have used two of their last three first round picks on center fielders Adam Haseley and Mickey Moniak.

If Haseley gets hot early in the season and Herrera struggles there will be clamoring for him to move up in the organization. Herrera also has to face Nick Williams and Aaron Altherr sitting on the bench asking about their playing time. Both Williams and Altherr have been highly touted by members of the organization.

Now is the time for Herrera to prove he’s the center fielder of the future. He has all the talent in the world, but he must stay locked in to stick around and not be the reason Philadelphia loses ballgames.

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