The Philadelphia Phillies outfield test comes as the team tries to improve offensive production where possible. Under interim manager Don Mattingly potential Phillies platoon changes have led the team to have Edmundo Sosa play in the outfield again. Sosa has made two appearances, including one start, in left field this season. The second appearance lasted one inning as the Phillies had Justin Crawford pinch hit for Sosa. In his major league career Sosa has played 22 1/3 defensive innings in the outfield split between left field and center field. Furthermore a majority of the outfield playing time for Sosa came in left field. Both of the outfield starts Sosa has in the majors also came at the position.
Sosa has a .250/.271/.338 line with one home run and 11 RBI in 24 games this season. To add to that Sosa has a 69 wRC+ along with a .308 BABIP and a 0.13 BB/K rate. Sosa is one of the Phillies right-handed batters who has platoon splits. This year Sosa has a .616 OPS and a 74 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers compared to a .600 OPS and a 62 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers. Overall Sosa has a .785 OPS and a 115 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers compared to a .677 OPS and a 85 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers. After the Phillies infielder had a hot start last season they tried Sosa in the outfield to keep the bat in the lineup.
Phillies Outfield Test
Increasing Defensive Versatility
The Phillies returning to having Sosa work in the outfield is a good decision. During spring training with Garrett Stubbs the Phillies worked on creating versatility by giving him work at third base and at corner outfield spots. Stubbs has made major league appearances at third base and left field this season. The more flexibility a team has defensively with its bench the better. The Phillies outfield test with Sosa is part of this effort. Kyle Schwarber has also made an appearance at first base with Mattingly in charge. Mattingly seems to be more invested than Rob Thomson was in these efforts to increase the number of defensive alignment options. Schwarber should get more work at first base as well.
Underperforming Player Heating Up
Alec Bohm starting to turn things around has made the Phillies outfield test more viable. Bohm recorded a .151/.218/.208 line with one home run and 13 RBI in March and April across 29 games. Meanwhile in May the Phillies third baseman has recorded a .316/.366/.500 line with two home runs and seven RBI in 11 games. Bohm has improved from a 20 wRC+ the first two months to a 144 wRC+ so far in May. This turnaround makes it less likely Bohm gets benched for an extended look for Sosa at third base. This will give the team more opportunities to have Sosa play in the outfield as a result. Hopefully Bohm can maintain this May success and be reliable.
Reasons For The Change
Sosa and Félix Reyes are the lone right-handed bats on the Phillies bench. Reyes has a .158/.158/.263 line with one home run and two RBI in 12 major league games. Additionally Reyes has a 8 wRC+ and a .179 BABIP with a 0.00 BB/K rate. Reyes took over an outfield platoon role after Otto Kemp was demoted. With three catchers on the roster and Reyes underperforming giving Sosa appearances in the outfield can allow for Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh to be everyday players. Mattingly has seemingly had Crawford platooning more than Marsh since taking over. The Phillies also lack quality position player depth in the minor league which is why Reyes has not been optioned yet.
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
