Phillies: Scott Kingery heading into make-or-break season

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This coming season might be the last chance for Scott Kingery with the Philadelphia Phillies. He has played out half of his contract before a buyout becomes available before the 2024 season. So far, the results have not been what fans had hoped. Kingery has had some tough circumstances, but there were big expectations for him in the big leagues.

When the team signed Kingery to a six-year deal right before the 2018 season, it felt like the start of something special. It still could be, but he needs to perform at a high level in 2021. Most fans gave him a pass in 2018, after he slashed .226/.267/.338 amid a rookie year with inconsistent playing time. Yet, it was still a bit disappointing.

In 2019, we got a glimpse of Kingery’s true potential. At the All-Star break, he had 28 extra-base hits, 31 runs scored, and a .545 slugging percentage. That didn’t last. In the second half, pitchers quickly caught onto his weaknesses, and Kingery had too many poor quality swings down the stretch. He looked like a rookie once again. September was especially bad — .191/.232/.393 with 17 strikeouts in 42 at-bats. The Phoenix, Arizona, native finished with the 20th-most strikeouts in the National League, 147.

Unfortunately, Kingery got COVID-19 prior to the 2020 season and it was pretty bad. It’s not easy to get back into the swing of things after that, especially with conditioning. The numbers in his 36 games played were ugly. Kingery posted just 18 total hits in 113 at-bats. We all witnessed it. This was another rough season for the 26-year-old. The virus might have affected it, but fans are growing impatient based upon overall production from his first three seasons.

Scott Kingery #4 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

The Phillies need Scott Kingery to have a breakout season.

It’s tough to tell whether Didi Gregorius will be back. If not, that likely puts Jean Segura back at shortstop and Kingery at second base. Betting on Kingery this year is risky, but the Phillies need a return on their investment. They might want to give “Jetpax” one more opportunity before giving up hope. If they do move on, they would owe Kingery $6.25 million in 2022, $8.25 million in 2023, and a $1 million buytout for 2024.

If the Phillies don’t make any moves for a middle infielder, Kingery will get that opportunity. He will have a longer season to prove himself — with Opening Day not being in the middle of summer like it was in 2020. Hopefully, Kingery will be COVID- and injury-free. The potential is there. We have seen flashes of it. Not too long ago, Kingery was a top prospect in the organization and anticipation was building for his MLB debut.

Unfortunately, top prospects don’t always pan out. Busts have to be accounted for. It would be unfair to put that label on Kingery right now, but time is running out.

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Ideally, we will see a more patient and disciplined Kingery in 2021. We want to see the same Kingery who was an All-Star candidate at one point in 2019. The lack of progression from players like him is one of the reasons the Phillies haven’t made the postseason since 2011. Their farm system isn’t deep. While there are a few star prospects at the top of the list like Alec Bohm, Spencer Howard, and Bryson Stott, the system isn’t very promising behind that.

Kingery could have a chance to change the narrative. Time will tell whether he is the answer at second base. If it doesn’t work out, the Phillies need to find a solution sooner rather than later.

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The Phillies need Scott Kingery to have a breakout season.

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