That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies: Top individual seasons in team history by age

By Kerry Kauffman

Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 21: Third base coach Juan Samuel #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks into the dugout during a rain delay against the Washington Nationals in the sixth inning at Nationals Park on August 21, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 21: Third base coach Juan Samuel #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks into the dugout during a rain delay against the Washington Nationals in the sixth inning at Nationals Park on August 21, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Age 24: Juan Samuel (1985)

Samuel showed himself to be a five-tool player during his rookie year in 1984. His campaign which earned second place voting in NL Rookie of the Year included 36 doubles, 19 triples, 15 home runs, and 72 stolen bases.  As a 24-year old in 1985, Samuel improved his power to 19 home runs and 74 RBI, while surpassing 30 doubles and hitting 13 triples, while swiping 53 bases.

After another solid season in 1986, Samuel head a career year in 1987 with 37 doubles, a league-best 15 triple, 28 home runs, 100 RBI, and 35 stolen bases. His efforts earned him an All-Star appearance and a Silver Slugger Award.  After another season and a half in Philadelphia, Samuel was traded to the Mets for Roger McDowell and Lenny Dykstra.

Samuel has 71 triples, 100 home runs, and 249 stolen bases in 852 games with the Phillies. He played for seven different teams over a 16-year career, hitting .258 with 161 home runs and 396 stolen bases.

Age 25: Pat Burrell (2002)

After finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year vote in 2000, Burrell nearly reached the 30-home run mark in 2001, finishing with 27 home runs and 89 RBI. HIs 2002 campaign at age 25 was the best of his career. Burrell had 96 runs, 165 hits, 39 doubles, 37 home runs, and 116 RBI, all ended up being career-high marks.  His efforts earned him 14th place votes in the NL MVP ballot.

As high as Burrell was in 2002, that’s how far he plummeted in 2003, hitting just .209 with 21 home runs and 64 RBI. He finished out his final four seasons with the Phillies reaching the 30-home run plateau three times, blasting 33 for the 2008 World Series champions. His double in Game Five of the World Series was a pivotal moment in the game and proved to be his last at-bat with the Phillies.

After signing with the Rays as a free agent during the 2008 off-season, Burrell hit just .218 with 16 home runs in 147 games in Tampa before signing with the Giants. He played for the Giants through the 2011 season before retiring with 299 doubles and 292 home runs.

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