Phillies: Giving the players their season letter grades

The Phillies infield featured some of their best and worst performers

J.T. Realmuto: A

There’s not much more Phillies fans could have asked for from J.T. Realmuto after the team traded their top prospect to a rival club. Realmuto hit 36 doubles and 25 home runs, and he was equally effective behind the plate, catching a league-high 43 base runners.

The Phillies lone All-Star and team MVP, Realmuto proved he’s the best catcher in baseball.

Andrew Knapp: D-

There wasn’t much for backup catcher Andrew Knapp to hang his hat on, other than being a favorite of Gabe Kapler. Knapp hit just .213 last season and was equally ineffective as a pinch-hitter despite getting 34 opportunities.

Rhys Hoskins: C+

It was a tale of two seasons for Rhys Hoskins, who was largely disappointing the final four months of the season. He led the league with 116 walks, but he had fewer hits, doubles, and home runs compared to 2018. If the Phillies are going to win, Hoskins needs to do better. A new coaching staff could help him.

Cesar Hernandez: B

As David Esser wrote in his season review, Cesar Hernandez was and continues to be an average ballplayer. Hernandez led the Phillies with 171 hits, but did so on an inconsistent basis and was among the league-leaders in errors by a second baseman with 12.

Scott Kingery: B+

Phillies fans finally saw the Scott Kingery who tore it up in the minors and deserved the premature contract. Playing six different positions in 2019, Kingery settled into his super-utility role and hit 34 doubles and 19 home runs with a .258 batting average. Despite being moved across the diamond to positions he never played before, Kingery committed only nine errors and picked up an outfield assist.

Jean Segura: B-

Jean Segura came in and did exactly what the Phillies expected him to do after an offseason trade with Seattle. Segura finished second on the team with 161 hits (mostly singles) with a .280 batting average. Twenty errors at shortstop did cost the Phillies this year, and hopefully it’s something Segura can cleanup.

Maikel Franco: D-

Things finally came to a head for former top prospect Maikel Franco, who was demoted to Lehigh Valley after another disappointing season. Franco hit just .234 with 17 home runs in 123 games after coming out with his hair on fire to start the season with seven dingers in 29 games.

Philadelphia will likely move on from Franco this offseason after years of consistent hitting and lackadaisical base running.

Sean Rodriguez: D+

Booo

Brad Miller: B

Brought over in June to stabilize the bench, Miller did an adequate job at the plate with 12 home runs and held his own in the field, playing four different positions. He and his bamboo plants should be welcomed back for 2020.

Phil Gosselin: C-

The local kid did his job off the bench, but nothing more.