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Phillies news: 5 plans for filling a DH role in 2020

By George Stockburger

SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 4: Jay Bruce #23 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by Bryce Harper #3, J.T. Realmuto #10 and Jean Segura #2 after hitting a grand slam during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park June 4, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 4: Jay Bruce #23 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by Bryce Harper #3, J.T. Realmuto #10 and Jean Segura #2 after hitting a grand slam during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park June 4, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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CLEARWATER, FLORIDA – MARCH 05: Neil Walker #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a double off of Shun Yamaguchi #1 of the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning of a Grapefruit League spring training game at Spectrum Field on March 05, 2020 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA – MARCH 05: Neil Walker #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a double off of Shun Yamaguchi #1 of the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning of a Grapefruit League spring training game at Spectrum Field on March 05, 2020 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Neil Walker/Josh Harrison

The Phillies entered their first spring training with four infielders fighting for one or two spots on the 26-man roster. With rosters likely to expand even more this year to protect pitchers, more non-roster invitees could make the team and play a bigger role in 2020.

Neil Walker is such a professional hitter and would be a great asset off the bench for Philadelphia. Though he’s older and may not be able to play as many positions as he once did, he can still rake. Last year he hit .261 in 337 at-bats, proving he still has more left in the tank.

In nine games as a designated hitter, Walker has done exceptionally well, granted in limited time. He’s hit .321 with two doubles (nine total hits) as a DH and though he won’t bring the traditional power to the DH role he gives the Phillies another quality bat in the lineup.

Josh Harrison is the second utility man with a real shot to make the big league team. He only played 10 spring training games and hit .182 with two home runs, but his ability to play all over the field makes him a valuable weapon for the Phillies.

Harrison is like Walker where he doesn’t have a ton of pop but he can hit consistently when given the at-bats. In the majority of his nine season he’s hit over .270 and he’s a two-time All-Star. There could be more for Harrison to do and getting at-bats as a DH could help him revive his career.

You could also look at the other two utility players pushing for jobs with Phil Gosselin and Logan Forsythe. Gosselin certainly doesn’t have any home run threat in him and Forsythe’s batting average might keep him out of the lineup. Forsythe has a history of hitting dingers with 17 home runs in 2015 and 20 the year after, but it’s been a while.

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