Phillies: Five players who overachieved in 2019

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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Ranger Suarez #55 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during game one of a doubleheader baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Ranger Suarez

Similar to Haseley, reliever Ranger Suarez began the 2019 season down in the minor leagues. He did not make his return to the majors until June 10, when he got rocked by the Arizona Diamondbacks, allowing four runs in four innings (yikes!).

Despite the rough debut for Suarez, he quickly found his footing in the majors, establishing himself as one of the Phillies’ better lefty options out of the pen. Suarez concluded 2019 with a record of 6-1, an ERA of 3.14, a WHIP of 1.315, and a total of 42 strikeouts through 48.2 innings.

Of qualifying pitches, Suarez ranked second on the entire team in ERA and 5th in wins.

Suarez just turned 24, and has only been around the majors for parts of two years now. While he still has some stuff to work on (his WHIP for example), he proved to be an above-average option in a bullpen that was bottom of the league.

Considering he wasn’t even thought of as a major league talent to start the year, I would definitely call him an “overachiever”. Heading into 2020, he will no doubt continue to see an advanced role.

Corey Dickerson

Not only was Corey Dickerson the most overachieving player on the Phillies in 2019, but he might have also just been the most overachieving in the league.

Dickerson was acquired at the deadline primarily to be used as a bench bat, an extra weapon for Gabe Kapler to use late in games. However, after just a few games it became apparent quite rapidly that Dickerson deserved a bigger role.

In just 34 games for the Phillies, Dickerson recorded 39 hits, 34 RBIs, 20 extra base hits, eight home runs, and an OPS of .886. He slashed .293/.307/.579 and played more than adequate defense out in left field. Dickerson literally averaged an RBI per game, that’s absurd.

After an injury-riddled start to 2019 in Pittsburgh, I don’t think anyone could’ve predicted the impact he would go on to have in the second half of the season. The unfortunate truth about Dickerson is that he most likely won’t be in the City of Brotherly Love next year, an impending free agent who will no doubt demand a hefty fee.