That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies: Building the team through baseball cards

By Bryce Turner

Philadelphia Phillies (Kris Connor/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Phillies (Kris Connor/Getty Images) /
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LAKELAND, FL – FEBRUARY 20: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers poses for a photo during the Tigers’ photo day on February 20, 2020 at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
LAKELAND, FL – FEBRUARY 20: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers poses for a photo during the Tigers’ photo day on February 20, 2020 at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Players the Phillies could use

On the hitting side, I came across a “AL Batting Titles” card featuring former Detroit Tiger Al Kaline and current Tiger Miguel Cabrera.

Cabrera can play both outfield and infield, where he could be a good option for the Phillies at third base. He has 477 HR, 1,694 RBI and a .315/.392/.543 slash line across 17 years in the majors, mostly with Detroit.

Despite it being his 17th season in MLB, he still hit 12 HR, 59 RBI and .282/.346/.398 last season. I rest my case.

Another special card titled “Up High, Down Low” shows the Houston Astros’ José Altuve and George Springer celebrating a Springer home run.

Astros scandal aside, Altuve would be a good addition (if fans would ever be willing to accept it).

PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 15: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros takes a swing against the Philadelphia Phillies in a MLB baseball game on May 15, 2012 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 15: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros takes a swing against the Philadelphia Phillies in a MLB baseball game on May 15, 2012 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Altuve could fit into the Phillies’ roster at second base and has 128 HR, 538 RBI and a .315/.364/.463 slash line across nine seasons, all with the Astros.

Again, the career hitting percentages say something (okay, an MLB investigation suggests he maybe knew some of the pitches coming his way, but still).

Last season, Altuve hit 31 HR, 74 RBI and .298/.353/.550.

If you look exclusively at his numbers and what position he plays, Altuve could fit in with the Phillies.

And the last card that piqued my interest as a player the Phillies could use is Yairo Muñoz.

Along similar lines with my other picks, I’m paying attention to the positions that need improvement.

More from Phillies News

Muñoz is listed as a shortstop and outfielder on Baseball Reference, but the baseball card says he also plays second base (where he’s appeared in 29 games, along with 36 games at third base).

He has two seasons and 196 games of major league experience, all with the Cardinals. Muñoz has 10 HR, 55 RBI and a .273/.331/.391 slash line across those two seasons; not bad for early career.

In three seasons at the AAA level, he has 11 HR, 57 RBI and a .287/.319/.421 slash line in 94 games.

With some room for movement in the infield, the Phillies could use a young player like Muñoz.

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