The Philadelphia Phillies have been playing without some of their big boppers this spring. The additional playing time has paid off for a few players who have unexpectedly been dominating this spring.
Defending their National League title and taking it another step further will require help from the core members of the roster and role players, too.
It’s only spring training, but these four players have been dominating on the field at a level no one expected to see.
1) Phillies infielder Edmundo Sosa is having a fiery spring
The absence of Trea Turner as he helps the USA in the World Baseball Classic has given Edmundo Sosa plenty of innings at shortstop. The results after 31 at-bats include an insane .516/.615/.968 slash line. Sosa has hit 4 home runs for the Phillies this spring. He has only 8 in his entire MLB career.
The Phillies may have stolen a gem away from the St. Louis Cardinals. Acquired last year at the trade deadline to provide them with some infield depth, we saw them reap the benefits of having him immediately. He went from having his .189/.244/.270 slash line season with the Cardinals to a .315/.345/.593 one with the Phillies.
Nobody should expect Sosa to pay homage to Ted Williams this year at the plate. He’s a good backup infielder who should close out games regularly at third base. If he can contribute at the plate along the way at such a high level like last year, the Phillies should be more than satisfied.
Sosa isn’t alone in leaving surprising numbers in the box score this spring. Three others have had some outlandishly good preseasons.