Phillies: 6 center fielder options for opening day
Scott Kingery
The Phillies scouted, drafted, developed, and signed Scott Kingery to be their franchise second baseman. Cesar Hernandez playing just well enough to stick on the 25-man roster has forced the Phillies hand to play Kingery across the diamond, which has highlighted his athleticism and ability to play multiple positions.
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After a disappointing rookie season where he played 119 games at shortstop (with little success), Kingery split the majority of his playing time between third base and center field, with the majority of his time in the outfield. In nearly 500 innings he made only three errors and turned a double play while holding his own for the majority of the season.
Kingery’s ability to play multiple positions gives the Phillies some flexibility this offseason when they look at adding either a third baseman or center fielder. They need one or the other, depending on how you view some of the younger players in the organization.
If making a move for an outfielder, third baseman, or starting pitcher means trading Hernandez, the Phillies should feel comfortable in knowing that Kingery can slide into second base and not miss a beat.
Should the Phillies pull a trade for an outfielder or third baseman without moving Hernandez, the starting lineup could be penciled in right away with Kingery in that open spot. He’s played well enough that you can trust him to get the job done just about anywhere in the field.