Nick Maton should start in centerfield for the Philadelphia Phillies
One of the most surprising players for the Philadelphia Phillies this year has been 24-year old infielder Nick Maton. Maton was thrusted into the Phillies’ lineup due to Didi Gregorius and Jean Segura both missing time. He’s jumped at the opportunity and has been one of the Phillies most consistent hitters over the last month and has drawn comparisons to none other than Phillies’ legend Chase Utley.
While it may be a stretch to compare Maton to Utley right now, the Phillies do need to find a place for him to play once Segura returns from injury. The obvious position would be centerfield.
On the season, Maton is slashing .357/.400/.876 with 15 hits, three runs scored, and an RBI. The centerfield position for the Phillies this season has been absolutely terrible. The team is getting little-to-no production offensively and there are now eight pitching staffs, including the Phillies, in the National League that have higher batting averages than the Phillies centerfielders.
The Phillies have a history of moving infielders to the outfield. The first two players that come to mind would be Freddy Galvis and Scott Kingery. Maton, who didn’t play outfield in 286 games in the minors, is already on record stating that he wouldn’t be opposed to making the move. A few weeks ago, he told reporters that “I’ll play anywhere Joe tells me to play” and that he just wants to be placed in the lineup. Maton continued laughing, stating that he “has a lot of gloves.”
Maton definitely doesn’t lack confidence and his production has been solid since getting a shot in the majors. The Phillies are running out of options in centerfield and as a whole, have been wildly inconsistent offensively this season. If Maton continues his impressive start, it will be hard to remove him from the lineup. Centerfield makes the most sense.
Up Next: The Phillies will close out this series with a rubber match tonight. Zach Eflin (1-1, 3.58 ERA) will be on the mound facing Mets’ pitcher David Peterson (1-3, 5.59 ERA)
Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY
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[…] this week which means Joe Girardi will have to make a decision on what to do with rookie Nick Maton. Hint: The Answer is […]
[…] Segura had a monster start to the year for the Phils, hitting .333 with an .809 OPS, raking in twenty hits and five RBIs in just 17 games. Segura was the hottest hitter on the team before he was sent to the IL, and the Phillies took a blow due to it. Although losing Segura would hurt the team, Nick Maton has impressed everyone since joining the Phillies from the minors and leaves Joe Girardi with a decision on where to put Maton when Segura returns to the Phillies. Hint: Centerfield […]
[…] the Phillies will need to bring up either Mickey Moniak or Scott Kingery. That could also change if Girardi decides to give Maton a shot in centerfield. Although Moniak would appear to be a better option for the outfield, given the fact that Kingery […]