Two Grapefruit League games is a small sample size, but the early results are encouraging for embattled first baseman Ryan Howard. Howard made a nice diving play to his right today with Jerome Williams on the mound.
In Tuesday's game, Howard went 2 for 2 with one run batted in. At the plate Wednesday in Tampa visiting the Yankees, Howard went hitless. In three hitless at bats, Howard made contact for each out. That does not sound all that impressive, but Howard is working on a new batting stance with former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.
Phillies hitting coach Steve Henderson told the Allentown Morning Call's Stephen Gross about the new approach for Howard:
"Basically it's just trying to get him to stay back on his backside a little bit," said Henderson. "He's working with Charlie right now doing some things."
Henderson noted Howard came to the team with the idea of changing his stance and discussed possible changes with Manuel before coming to camp.
"It's basically just to try to get him comfortable, try to move him up on the plate a little bit, which is pretty good because you know he stands off the plate," said Henderson. "And it's something that Ryan feels comfortable with. We're trying to find something that he feels comfortable with where he can drive the ball."
The lack of strikeouts in the early going are encouraging.
Ryan Lawrence penned a piece on Ryan Howard today for the Daily News, which describes Howard as focusing on the "positive" this Spring, in the midst of family issues and poor play in the midst of injury:
The games began this week and Howard was ready to talk yesterday – but wanted to keep it to questions strictly pertaining to the game. The upbeat and affable Howard clearly was not interested in delving into any topics that he deemed negative.
"What good does it do?" Howard said. "Where's the benefit – what's the benefit of it? Why be negative? You know? It takes a lot more energy to be negative than it does to be positive. Negative, bad. Positive, good. That's it. When you throw it out there like that, bro, there's no need to be negative. It doesn't help."
Howard certainly could bemoan his family issues, the fact that the Phillies do not want him anymore, or that his health kept him back.
Granted, the sample size is small, but even if Howard demonstrates himself healthy and productive he can help the Phillies in one of two ways. One, he can help the Phillies win some games. Two, Howard can help another team win some games. With a strong showing, the Phillies would have a better chance of moving Howard and opening up positions for some young players. That would be a win for Howard, too.
