With Altherr Out, Now What?

I have to admit, personally I feel disappointed. Last year, in late September, I sat in the nosebleed section of Nationals Park with my daughter and a group of her friends when the Phillies came to DC. I remember distinctly when Arron Altherr hit a line drive to centerfield with the bases loaded and Michael Taylor misplayed it.  Altherr turned on the speed and almost ran over Jared Eickhoff on the base pads. The result was an inside the park grand-slam home run. I have been a fan ever since.

Altherr was likely to make the major-league roster as a starting outfielder this year. In a spring training game, he dove to try to catch a fly ball and landed awkwardly on his left wrist. Now he needs surgery to repair a torn tendon in the wrist, and will mess 4 to 6 months in recovery.

I feel bad for Altherr. I pray that this is nothing more than a minor setback in what hopes to be a fine major league career. I was certainly looking forward to see how he would handle a full season in the majors.

With this raises the question. How bad will the Phillies miss him?

Sure, he had a great year in the minor leagues in 2015.  After hitting .293 and stealing 8 bases in Reading in 60 games, he was promoted to Lehigh Valley, where he hit .294 and had 8 stolen bases in 51 games. 

But success in the minors does not necessarily translate into success in the majors.  When called up to the major league club, Altherr hit .241 with 5 home runs and  6 stolen bases in 39 games.  His speed was impressive, and I thought he had the potential for a good lead-off hitter.  But Spring Training started a little differently.  While it was only one week into Spring Training games, Altherr was hitting only .125 in 8 at bats when he was injured.  Like many of the young talent invited to the Phillies training camp, Altherr was a great uncertainty.

So how will the Phillies' outfield look come April?

Odubel Herrara appears set to solidify the outfield in centerfield.  The Phillies picked up Peter Bourjous in the off season to give the outfield more depth.  Now, in the second week of spring training games, the Phillies have a potentially open spot.

Most Phillies fans know that this is a rebuilding season, and agree with the path of investing in young players.  With tempered expectations, this is a chance for the Phillies to take some risk and give a young player an opportunity.  A leading candidate is Tyler Goeddel, the Phillies first selection in the 2015 Rule 5 Draft.  As a Rule 5 Draftee, Goeddel either has to stay on the major league roster all season, or be offered back to Tampa Bay.  Goeddel is making a case for himself, batting .333 in 6 games so far, with 3 RBIs.  Plus, his fielding is considered solid.

Another young outfielder, Roman Quinn, is batting .273 in 6 games, with a home run and stolen base.  Phillies GM Matt Klentak has stated that Quinn will start the year in the minors.  Indeed, he has not yet played above the AA level.  Still, if he plays consistently over the summer, he could be a late season call-up.

And then there is Nick Williams, one of the prospects received in the Cole Hamels trade.  Playing for two teams in AA last year, Williams hit .303 with 17 home runs and 13 stolen bases.  Like Quinn, Williams is likely to receive more seasoning in the minors before being called up.  But the potential is there.

Yes, I really wanted to see Altherr play this year.  And I do wish him well.  But there are still reasons to be optimistic for the long-term future of the Phillies.

By:  William J. Kovatch, Jr.

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