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

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 28: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by Bryce Harper #3 after hitting a home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on August 28, 2019, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Rotation of sluggers

The Phillies have built a quality team with players they hope to have on their club for a long-time. Be that Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, or Rhys Hoskins.

They’re all relatively young but they’re coming into important years in their careers. Realmuto will be a free agent, Hoskins is potentially in line for a contract, and Harper is looking to build after a good but not great first year with the Phillies.

It wouldn’t be the worst thing to rotate those three players through the DH role to get them off their legs and preserve them long-term.

The Phillies have 11 years of Harper left after 2020, a long ways left for a player who seems destined for the Hall of Fame someday. His defense certainly improved last year after many raised questions regarding his play in Washington, but given the investment the team has in him it might be best to allow Harper to take some games off from the field.

Looking for his big pay day, Realmuto’s legs see the most wear out of anyone on the team. The biggest issue right now would be the fact that having Realmuto DH puts Andrew Knapp’s bat in the lineup and his glove behind the plate. If the Phillies had a better backup catcher than this might work better, but if Realmuto needs a day to get off his legs the Phillies might have the opportunity to DH him.

Someday Hoskins could move exclusively into a DH role and that might start in 2020. He’s not the most nimble player at first base and he proved he can’t play in the outfield. The Phillies could do the Bohm plan with Hoskins and mix him in or look for Jay Bruce or Neil Walker to play first.

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