3 Phillies players who fans should be concerned about

Thursday marks exactly two weeks since the Philadelphia Phillies opened the 2021 season with a thrilling victory against their division-rival Atlanta Braves.

Entering the eventual 3-2 home opener win, there was much optimism surrounding the team. Pretty much the identical, potent lineup was returning from the 60-game 2020 season. Also, the back end of the starting rotation underwent what most considered a notable upgrade — with the additions of veterans Matt Moore and Chase Anderson.

Things aren’t looking as great for the Phillies after their strong opening series.

The Phillies lived up to that optimism by starting the season 4-0, a rare feat for their franchise. However, the team has since lost three in a row to the New York Mets — as well as five of their last six, with the only win in that stretch being the controversial “Alec Bohm slide” down in Atlanta.

To say the least, things are returning back to reality for the Joe Girardi-led squad. Their four-game series finale on Jackie Robinson Day against the Mets won’t come any easier, either — given Zach Eflin is tasked with opposing perennial Cy Young Award candidate Jacob deGrom.

While some Phillies are shining so far — such as first baseman Rhys Hoskins slugging six doubles and a pair of home runs through a dozen games, or right-handed reliever Connor Brogdon tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings with a Major League Baseball-best 3-0 record to go with it — there are players on the team who simply are not putting up ideal numbers early in the season. Here are three fans should be concerned about.

1. Roman Quinn

Among all Major League players with at least 20 plate appearances this season, Phillies outfielder Roman Quinn ranks near the bottom in most statistical categories at the plate.

Quinn’s .050 batting average through 24 plate appearances, for example, is the second-worst, only helped with Anthony Alford of the Pittsburgh Pirates going hitless through his 23 plate appearances.

To say the least, Quinn and his .050/.208/.050 slash line just simply look hopeless. Over the past four games, three in which were starts, the five-year veteran went 0-for-10 with only a walk, three strikeouts, and a caught stealing attempt to show for it.

Quinn’s career batting average entering the 2021 season was .235. Now, through 11 games, it has fallen all the way down to .226. At what point do the Phillies part ways with the long highly touted player, often praised for his speed on the base paths?

The Phillies have a center field problem, to say the least. With former first-round pick Adam Haseley being placed on the restricted list for personal reasons on Wednesday, once-No. 1 overall pick Mickey Moniak was called up in his place.

The Phillies still have a 40-man roster spot to play with following Haseley’s leave of absence. Perhaps, they will want to designate Quinn for assignment and give either minor-leaguers Travis Jankowski or Odubel Herrera a look at center field, alongside Moniak, in the coming weeks.

Haseley was batting just .190 through 21 plate appearances. It seems as though the lack of production from Phillies center fielders, especially Quinn, is preventing the team from having overall success.

2. Andrew McCutchen

Left fielder Andrew McCutchen is not off to as bad of a start as fellow Phillies outfielder Roman Quinn — with five hits, including a triple and home run, through 36 at-bats. Still, the former Most Valuable Player’s .139/.279/.278 slash line is something to have significant concern about.

McCutchen is the Phillies leadoff hitter and is relied upon heavily to get on base and start what the team hopes to become a rally. Over his past three games, however, McCutchen has failed to do just that — going 0-for-12 with zero walks and four strikeouts opposite a pair of division rivals in the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets.

A 13-year veteran in the final year of his three-year, $50 million contract with the Phillies, a question begs whether “Father Time” is simply catching up to McCutchen, whose first of five All-Stars seasons was a decade ago with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

When healthy, McCutchen has put up consistent numbers in red pinstripes. Through 59 games in 2019, he hit .256 with 12 doubles, 10 home runs, and 29 RBI. Across two fewer games last season, the Florida native also slugged 10 home runs, while hitting .253 with nine doubles and 34 RBI.

Currently, McCutchen has as many RBI (2) as backup catcher Andrew Knapp and No. 2 starting pitcher Zack Wheeler. There is always still a chance the “law of averages” comes into effect and McCutchen starts having success … but early on, there are not many hopeful signs that will come to fruition.