Here’s to the bottom of the order…and Bryce Harper of course.  The Phillies have seasoned vets at the top of the order and they can’t seem to get the job done when it matters most.  For the purpose of this article, let’s leave Bryce Harper out of the conversation, because he is in the top of the order and currently mashing baseballs. The MVP candidate is currently slashing .357/.493/.1.118 with 20 hits, four home runs, and eight RBI.

Let’s start with Rhys Hoskins.  He had a hot start to the year but has quickly rolled downhill and is now slashing .239/.270/.735 with 17 hits, three home runs, and only six RBI. Hoskins walking as much as he usually does, because his vision and discipline at the plate this year stinks.  In 71 at-bats this year, Hoskins has only walked three times. I used to be ok with the somewhat low batting average because he was getting on base so much with walks but now the Phillies aren’t getting that same production out of him and he’s still squatted in the two-hole.

As much as it hurts my soul to say this, it must be said.  Andrew McCutchen seems to be on the brink of retirement.  He is really struggling to keep up with the rest of baseball, and he’s doing it in the Phillies’ leadoff spot.  Currently our leadoff man is hitting .164 with an OBP of .313.  While he is still a veteran presence on the team and is good for the young guys we have coming up and the ones we have on the roster, he is severely hurting the team because he hasn’t been on base as much as he should be for guys like Harper to drive in.  

Nick Maton and Mickey Moniak have been good additions to this team.  They’ve both been contributing offensively and defensively, and should stay in the lineup for the foreseeable future.  They should be getting the reps in at the Major League level.

After a slow start, Moniak has touched base five times in the last two games against the Giants, he has three RBI, and two hits in six at-bats. A small sample size for Moniak, but more often than not, once a young player gets a few hits, things start getting easier for them. Maton is off to a red hot start essentially out of no where. He’s slashing .417/.417/.917 with five hits, one run, and one RBI in 12 at-bats.

Send Roman Quinn down to Lehigh Valley, or better yet, cut him.  While the centerfield question has not been permanently answered, Moniak is the bandage that the squad has needed thusfar.  The young guys like Bohm, Moniak, and Maton are the future of this team, along with Bryson Stott who will get his shot soon.I can’t believe I’m saying this but…the pitching has been fine.  The younger guys in the Phillies lineup will continue to progress and the veterans need to step up and start producing immediately.

The Phillies are back in action with Vinny Velo on the mound on the road against the Rockies tomorrow.

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Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY