The Phillies introduced their newest additions and left the door open to make more.
On Monday the Phillies introduced two of their most notable offseason additions, shortstop Didi Gregorius and starting pitcher Zack Wheeler.
Both Gregorius and Wheeler have tremendous upside and as mentioned in the press conference, know what “East Coast Baseball” is all about after playing in New York for the Yankees and Mets.
Join us in officially welcoming @Wheelerpro45 and @DidiG18 to Philly! https://t.co/I9Ep7NpBPu
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) December 16, 2019
General manager Matt Klentak and manager Joe Girardi dropped a couple of nuggets during the press conference that perked some ears. Here are three that Phillies fans should keep an eye on leading up to spring training next February.
Didi will hit in the middle of the lineup
Girardi has been outspoken and “personally frustrated” about how he feels about the new rule that pitchers must face at least three batters. During the press conference he talked about how he can use the new rule to his advantage, talking about mixing lefties Bryce Harper and Adam Haseley in the lineup.
Girardi says he stays up at night going through different scenarios with the lineup. As for Gregorius, the new skipper says he sees the shortstop hitting in the middle of the lineup somewhere around the 3,4,5 spots.
Harper and Hoskins are most likely to hit third and fourth in the lineup, suggesting Gregorius will be the number five hitter. Where would that put J.T. Realmuto? The Phillies could slot him in the six spot ahead of Scott Kingery and Haseley and have Andrew McCutchen and Jean Segura as on-base guys at the top of the order.
- Andrew McCutchen, RH
- Jean Segura, RH
- Bryce Harper, LH
- Rhys Hoskins, RH
- Didi Gregorius, RH
- J.T. Realmuto, RH
- Scott Kingery, RH
- Adam Haseley, LH
- Starting Pitcher
This lineup wouldn’t mix the lefties up a ton, but the Phillies can also throw Jay Bruce out in left field or at first base to give them another lefty.