The Philadelphia Phillies face an intriguing decision on filling their open bench spot for the upcoming NLDS. According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, in the Division Series, the Phillies will have 14 position players and 12 pitchers on their roster. As Gelb noted, the decision on who gets the open spots is dependent on some health factors. Carrying 14 position players is a sign that Phillies manager Rob Thomson intends to play the matchup game in high-leverage pinch-hit situations. Expect Thomson to primarily pinch-hit for Johan Rojas late in games during the NLDS. He has a .276 OPS in 45 career postseason plate appearances. Weston Wilson made an appearance in center field during the Phillies’ regular season finale, which is worth keeping in mind.
Phillies Face Decision on Open Bench Spot for NLDS
Austin Hays
Trade deadline acquisition Austin Hays will likely get the open spot if healthy. Hays has been dealing with a back injury that caused him to miss the last series of the regular season. Additionally, Hays has been on the injured list twice since joining the Phillies. He has a .256/.275/.397 line with two home runs and six RBI in 22 games with the Phillies. To add to that, Hays recorded an 85 wRC+ and a .316 BABIP in that span. Hays would likely platoon with Brandon Marsh in left field if on the NLDS roster. Gelb wrote that if Hays makes the postseason roster, his role is still to be determined. Even if he is healthy, there might be better options for this role. Wilson would be in line to platoon with Marsh if Hays is not on the Phillies’ NLDS roster.
Phillies ‘Extremely Optimistic’ About Austin Hays Ahead of NLDS – @OnPattison https://t.co/6R0u215WPE
— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) October 1, 2024
Buddy Kennedy
Called back up for the last game of the regular season, Buddy Kennedy is a candidate if Hays is not ready to go. Kennedy had a .182/.308/.273 line with no home runs and two RBI in eight games with the Phillies this season. The Phillies traded for him in June. Kennedy recorded a 71 wRC+ and a .250 BABIP after joining Philadelphia. One reason he might not get the spot is that he primarily plays infield positions. The Phillies are likely to carry an extra outfielder as the 14th position player given who might be pinch hit for during games. Kennedy has never played an outfield position in the majors, having exclusively played second base and third base. However, he does have 11 career minor league appearances in left field.
Cal Stevenson
After filling in for Hays while on the IL, Cal Stevenson is the other candidate for this role. Stevenson had a .250/.333/.375 line with no home runs and six RBI in 18 games this season, along with a 100 wRC+ and a .300 BABIP. Stevenson primarily plays center field, which gives him an advantage to win the slot. While filling in for Hays this season, Stevenson made 10 appearances in center field to go along with two appearances in left field and four appearances in right field. Stevenson has a 161 wRC+ and a .929 OPS in seven plate appearances as a pinch hitter this season which also helps his case.
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