Phillies: Five 2021 Opening Day roster takeaways
3. The Phillies center field outlook remains the same
The most talked-about part of Phillies spring training was the center field competition that was as open as it could possibly be. Spring ends with Adam Haseley and Roman Quinn remaining on the team and could likely be in a platoon — Haseley opposite right-handed pitchers and Quinn against left-handers.
The competition had several players at one point with Haseley, Quinn, Scott Kingery, Odubel Herrera, and Mickey Moniak, among others. Even if things remain the same, there are still some nice takeaways we can have about this competition:
- Adam Haseley can be a good player and live up to first-round pick potential
- Joe Girardi views Roman Quinn as a valuable player
- Mickey Moniak looks very promising
- Scott Kingery has hit a new low point in his career
- Odubel Herrera is just not good enough to be on the roster
Haseley had a lot to prove this spring. Even though part of it was cut due to injury, he still had a great slash line — .316/.381/.526 for a .907 OPS. These are all great numbers, no matter the sample size, and could potentially show us Haseley is ready to take the next step in his career. It’s time for him to show up and for Joe Girardi to give him the chance.
The biggest thing for Quinn, is the Phillies want him to be a game-changer on the basepaths. Quinn stole four bags in the spring, and while he put up OK numbers, part of me feels he is the same player as last year. What are the Phillies realistically going to get from him — a few stolen base, being a bad hitter, and a frustrating center fielder? If Girardi seriously plans on this being a platoon, it could hurt Haseley’s development. It’s not like the Phillies are a serious contender. Wouldn’t it be better to find out what Haseley is?
Mickey Moniak went from hated to loved after this spring. We are finally starting to see why he was the No. 1 pick. An OPS at 1.112 is not something to laugh at, and he at one point was someone fans begged to get a serious chance in the competition. Moniak will get to be an everyday outfielder in the minors, and he should be. Maybe he gets some time at the end of the year at one spot. It would not be a bad move if he is putting up good numbers. How shocking would it truly be if Moniak takes over for Andrew McCutchen in left at some point? This would be great news for the Phillies long-term.
Kingery we will touch on later, but with Herrera, it is a simple truth — he is not worth making the roster. I went back and forth on if he should make the team instead of Quinn, but the reality is, Herrera isn’t good enough to make the 40-man and serve as a bench outfielder. The Phillies will most likely not be able to trade Herrera at this point, but he will probably be in the minors for the season. As long as he isn’t hurting Moniak’s development and playing above him, it isn’t the worst thing in the world.