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Phillies: 3 key players returning from injury who can help the club

By Kerry Kauffman

Andrew McCutchen, Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
Andrew McCutchen, Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 28: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves on Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park on March 28, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

Andrew McCutchen

The Phillies signed the 10-year veteran to be the catalyst on top of an order that was expected to produce a high volume of runs in 2019. McCutchen didn’t disappoint and in fact, started his time in Philadelphia with a home run.  Although not hitting for a high average, McCutchen was patient, drawing plenty of walks, posting a high on-base percentage and providing some pop in the leadoff slot.

Through the first two months of the season and two games into June, McCutchen has 10 home runs, 29 RBI, 43 walks for an on-base percentage of .376 and OPS of .854. More importantly, the Phillies were still five-games above .500 at the time of his injury, despite losing the last five games in which he played.

Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies /

Philadelphia Phillies

Coincidence or not, after McCutchen went down with the flukiest of ACL tear injuries ever seen, the Phillies went 49-54 and struggled to find a suitable leadoff man the rest of the way.  Coming off the major injury, the Phillies will go slow with McCutchen, knowing they need him for the long haul to make headway in the standings this season.

What can be expected this season from the 33-year old? First, his presence in the locker room and his still-strong defense in the outfield are two big pluses.  At the plate, McCutchen was on pace for a 27-home run, 80 RBI season, nearly mimicking that in his prime. While those numbers are unrealistic, a 15-20 home runs season in 400-plus at-bats with an on-base percentage in the .360’s is foreseeable.

Should Dominguez, Arrieta, and McCutchen nearly come back to form, it will be a big step for the Phillies to achieve their goals, which is to play significant baseball late in the season.

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