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It’s a make-or-break season for these Phillies hitters

By Gabrielle Starr |
Mar 9, 2021; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Scott Kingery (4) strikes out during the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2021; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Scott Kingery (4) strikes out during the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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These Phillies hitters’ careers depend on them having a good season

The Philadelphia Phillies made some significant upgrades to their roster this offseason, including adding a formidable duo in Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos.

But while it was great to see the Phillies finally spending what is known as “stupid money” on some of the best talents in the game, it’s also important to point out why they needed to do so in the first place. Despite having NL MVP Bryce Harper, the Phillies roster was seriously lacking offensive depth, with several underperforming hitters.

Many players in the lineup are due for your run-of-the-mill bounce-back seasons in 2021, including J.T. Realmuto and Rhys Hoskins.

We’re not going to talk about those guys today.

Instead, we’re talking about hitters in Phillies organization who are in the direst straits, the ones for whom this season is make-or-break.

Alec Bohm

Bryson Stott hasn’t even made his big-league debut, and he’s already got the Alec Bohm trade rumor mill buzzing.

Bohm was the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year runner-up but fell off a sharp offensive cliff in 2021. His numbers are dismally low, and his confidence appears to be down there with them.

Over the weekend, top infield prospect Stott saw action at third base instead of his usual shortstop spot, and manager Joe Girardi said that the club is keeping their Opening Day options open for the hot corner.

Between Stott’s defense and the fact that he’s proven to be an offensive star like his friend and mentor, Bryce Harper, Bohm is in a tough spot.

Scott Kingery #4 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Scott Kingery #4 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Scott Kingery

What on earth are the Phillies going to do with Scott Kingery? As it stands, he ranks high among the worst contracts in franchise history and the Phillies will think twice before offering any other prospects a big payday before they’ve debuted.

But there is time to change all that, and hitting coach extraordinaire Kevin Long, who revamped Kyle Schwarber’s swing last winter, has been tasked with a complete makeover of Kingery.

According to The Athletic (subscription required), the Phillies are so invested in Kingery – or rather, invested in their investment – that they “will exhaust every idea in an attempt to fix” him.

Mickey Moniak #16 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Mickey Moniak #16 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Mickey Moniak

Mickey Moniak wasn’t just the Phillies’ first-round pick in 2016, he was the first overall pick in that year’s draft.

However, he struggled to live up to the absurd expectations that come with being the #1 pick, which is understandable. Since his debut in 2020, he’s hit a lowly .128/.241/.191 with a .432 OPS and just one home run

In his last three spring training games, he’s hit three.

After working with new hitting coach Kevin Long for just a couple of weeks, Moniak looks like a new man at the plate and says the adjustments they’ve made “worked wonders.” The results are evident and have Joe Girardi rethinking his outfield configuration.

Didi Gregorius #18 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Didi Gregorius #18 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Didi Gregorius

There was speculation Didi Gregorius would be traded before the season began, and he still could be traded any time from now until the deadline. How he hits in the meantime, ahead of his free agency next fall, will determine what kind of contract he gets next.

After putting up some of the worst numbers of his career in 2021, Gregorius reminded the world what can do with a pair of magnificent home runs in back-to-back games this weekend.

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