Philadelphia Phillies: 3 players who need to step up in 2021

Stuck in mediocrity so far in the Bryce Harper era, these Phillies must step up.

The National League East could be the best division in baseball next season. With the recent World Series champion Nationals, the up and coming Marlins, the heavy spending Mets, and already dominant Braves, the Phillies will have their hands full in 2021.

The Phillies offense was very good in 2020, but bats like J.T. Realmuto and Didi Gregorius were a big piece to that puzzle. In 2021, guys like Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, and Alec Bohm (and hopefully Realmuto) will be the core of the lineup. But, if certain hitters step up, the offense could continue to be among the best in baseball.

Overall, if Dave Dombrowski can make some bullpen moves, retain Realmuto, and these three players step up, the Phillies could seriously contend in 2021. Of course, those are huge ifs.

3. Scott Kingery

The Phillies inked Scott Kingery to what was hoped to be a bargain of a contract before he ever stepped foot on a Major League Baseball field, but has not fulfilled the hopes many had for him thus far.

Kingery struggled as a rookie, but showed even more promise in his sophomore campaign. Limited to only 126 games, Kingery tallied 19 home runs, 34 doubles, and 15 stolen bases, while batting as high as .302 in July. Due to the talented lineup during the shortened 2020 season, many fans believed he could provide serious pop at the bottom of the order, but had the worst season of his career with only 18 hits in 36 games.

Kingery, a versatile player, can play shortstop, second base, third base, and the outfield. There should be no trouble getting him playing time — but he has to produce for the Phillies to have a chance at the division in 2021. Right now, Kingery slots in at second, with Jean Segura and Bohm rounding out the left side of the infield and Adam Haseley in center.

Fans should not let a shortened 2020 season cloud their view of Kingery, who battled COVID-19 himself. At only 26, Kingery has plenty to prove and should get plenty of opportunities next season. If he reaches this projection, the contract will certainly be a bargain and the Phillies should continue to have a strong offense. If Kingery seriously struggles yet again, he might find himself on the bench and face uncertainty in 2022.

2021 Projection: 145 games, 18 home runs, 63 runs batted in, 30 doubles, 16 stolen bases, .265 average, .333 on base percentage

1. Spencer Howard

The Phillies starting pitching was one of their strengths last year. Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Zach Eflin seem to be suited for a strong 2021 campaign, especially with the hire of Caleb Cotham as the pitching coach — who believes each could win the Cy Young Award. Of course, three high-quality starters are rendered useless with a terrible bullpen, as seen this past season, but if Spencer Howard steps up in 2021 at the back end of the rotation, only good things should follow.

Howard, the team’s highest prospect entering 2020, underwhelmed his rookie year. In 6 starts, he struck out 23 batters in 24 1/3 innings, pitching to a 5.92 ERA. Concerns about Howard include a worrisome dip in velocity and the lack of stamina to go even five full innings. The good thing is, Howard was just a rookie. He can most certainly develop into the player he was projected to be.

He did flash some brilliant pitches that were a part of his scouting report, which includes a power fastball, fading changeup, and two plus breaking pitches — his slider and curveball. It’s nice to see that some of his pitches have serious potential to rack up strikeouts in the bigs, and even garnered a compliment from MVP Freddie Freeman. Unfortunately, the Phillies have failed to significantly develop arms similar to Howard’s in pitchers Nick Pivetta and Vince Velasquez.

Cotham, who watched the work ethic and success of All-Stars Luis Castillo, Trevor Bauer, and Sonny Gray in Cincinnati last year, as well as assist another young arm in Tyler Mahle develop, should be excited to work with Howard and his arsenal. Entering his second season, Howard can finally look to make a name for himself.

Howard draws some similarities to Jack Flaherty, one of the best young pitchers in baseball. Flaherty was also among the team’s top prospects the year they debuted, and exhibited a mid-90s fastball with a fading changeup, while also boasting a slider and curveball. Both had ERAs hovering around six in their rookie campaigns, while lacking control and ability to last more than 5 innings. The good news is Flaherty was fourth in Cy Young voting in 2019 and showed major progress in his second season and beyond.

2021 projection: 27 games, 11-8 record, 154 innings pitched, 170 strikeouts, 3.40 ERA, 1.08 walks and hits per innings pitched