Phillies: Projected 2020 Starting Lineup, Nos. 4-6 Spots
By Matthew C
5: Didi Gregorius
2019 Stats: .238/.276/.441, 16 HR, 61 RBI, 324 ABs
Veteran Didi Gregorius is predicted to bat fifth and play shortstop for the Phillies this upcoming season. Playing with the New York Yankees for the entirety of the 2019 season, Gregorius signed a 1-year deal worth a reported $14 million with Philadelphia in the offseason.
Seeing 324 plate appearances with the Yankees last season, Gregorius hit 61 home runs and posted a .238 batting average with 53 strikeouts, and 17 walks.
The veteran is projected to bat a higher average in 2020 than last season.
Gregorius is also projected, according to Baseball-Reference, to post a .264 batting average and a .308 on-base percentage. Should he finish the 2020 season with a .264 batting average or higher, this would be the fourth time in his career he would do so.
RELATED | Phillies: Didi Gregorius, Larry Bowa Connect in Spring Camp
In his career, Gregorius has played a total of eight seasons — the majority with the New York Yankees, while also having stints with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Cincinnati Reds. He played 82 games with the Yankees in 2019.
Playing with a new team, in a new city, with new people could be challenging for anyone. Seeing as the Phillies are the fourth different team Gregorius has played for in his long career, it could be different for him. However, the adjustments he has to make are significant given current circumstances; he recently said he will don a mask on the field this season.
One good thing that Gregorius doesn’t have to get used to — the manager. Joe Girardi managed Gregorius while in New York with the Yankees for several seasons before being let go. Their relationship is pretty good.