3 reasons why Phillies will snap postseason drought
The Phillies lineup is among the best in Major League Baseball.
To be short and sweet: this lineup is top five in baseball. Last season, the Phillies were tied fifth in runs per game, tied third in on-base percentage, tied eighth in average, ninth in slugging percentage, and were the most walked intentionally team in baseball. Not to mention, Alec Bohm will be around for a full season in 2021.
Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, J.T. Realmuto, and Didi Gregorius are all very capable of 25 home runs or more in a full year. Plus, Andrew McCutchen and Bohm could certainly add 20 or more themselves. The power is there as well as protection for each hitter. It is going to be difficult for an opposing team to pitch around players.
With various lineup options, the team can flat out hit. A potential lineup could look like this:
- Andrew McCutchen, LF
- Rhys Hoskins, 1B
- Bryce Harper, RF
- J.T. Realmuto, C
- Alec Bohm, 3B
- Didi Gregorius, SS
- Jean Segura, 2B
- Scott Kingery, CF
Of course, McCutchen and Hoskins excel at getting on base. Harper and J.T. batted third and fourth for the majority of last season. Bohm was incredibly clutch in 2020, batting .452 and tallying 18 RBIs with RISP. Didi and Jean Segura are both very solid hitters, and Scott Kingery could finally reach his full potential.
Thanks to Dave Dombrowski, there is some solid depth off the bench too. Fan-favorite Brad Miller is back, and provides much-needed pop off the bench. Andrew Knapp had a strong 2020 and Kingery could see 120 games at six different positions. Fringe players, like Matt Joyce, Odubel Herrera, Travis Jankowski, and Mickey Moniak, have all had strong springs so far. One could fill the weak spot in centerfield — as Adam Haseley is out to start the season.