Five Right-Handed Bats Who Would Help the Philadelphia Phillies Down the Stretch
July 16, 2011 by cody swartz
Filed under Fan News
Anyone who has watched the Phillies this season knows the starting pitching has carried the team this year and while the Phillies could be just like the San Francisco Giants from last year and ride a no-hit offense to a World Series title, a right-handed bat would also go a long way.
GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. has gone on record as saying he will not be getting such a player, while manager Charlie Manuel has said he would love some help from the right side of the plate. The Phillies have a lefty-laden offense with Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez, and Domonic Brown, and both Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino as switch-hitters.
John Mayberry, Jr. probably has the most power of any right-handed hitter on the team, but he’s also an incredibly streaky hitter who strikes out a ton, and he was demoted to Triple-A earlier in the season after struggling as an everyday player—although he has since rejoined the major league Phillies.
Ben Francisco has 15-home run power at best, but he’s just best suited as a pinch-hitter off the bench, and while both Placido Polanco and Carlos Ruiz are fine hitters, they’re not power hitters.
With that in mind, here are five hitters who would help the Phillies down the stretch.