Brad Miller will provide much value to the 2021 Phillies bench
Bench (6): Matt Joyce, Andrew Knapp, Brad Miller, Scott Kingery, Roman Quinn, Odubel Herrera
Adam Haseley will start the year sidelined and hopefully, return to the starting lineup at some point. Non-roster invitee outfielder Matt Joyce, who has flashed potential this spring, could snag his 26-man roster spot to start the season.
“Bamboo” Brad Miller is back and hopefully, he’ll bring that same luck he brought this team back during a stretch of games in 2019. He is swinging the bat well this spring and with Phil Gosselin gone, Miller can fill the utility role. Miller is currently battling a “little, low strain of the oblique,” according to manager Joe Girardi, and hopes to be ready for Opening Day.
Scott Kingery can move around in the field as well and could work his way into a starting role. However, this spring has not been too kind to him. This season has big implications for Scott. If he can’t get things right, it might be the end of his time in the red pinstripes.
Andrew Knapp will take the field when J.T. needs some rest, and he did a good job of that in 2020. Can the Phillies expect that from him for a full season? They haven’t been able to in the past, so it could have just been a strong 33-game stretch. Let’s hope that’s not true.
Shifting to the outfield, Roman Quinn might be best suited to come off of the bench as a defensive replacement and pinch-runner. He could win the center field job over Moniak with the way he’s been swinging the bat. If the Phillies want the more experienced player, they can put Quinn out there to start the year. If not, he’ll likely still get playing time and start occasionally.
Lastly, Odubel Herrera has been one of the standouts this spring. He has to continue to earn back the trust of his teammates. For now, he has earned one of the 26 spots. He is also still in the running for the center field job.