The Phillies haven't gotten shut-out in any of their four consecutive losses to open the season, but it also doesn't appear that the hot-batting that the team had in Spring Training made its way north for the regular season.
In three out of the team's first four games, the Phillies have scored just two runs, apparently prompting manager Pete Mackanin to shake things up. According to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, Mackanin may try mixing Darin Ruf into the outfield.
Looking for offense, Pete Mackanin told Darin Ruf to start working out in LF. Ruf did not play there this spring.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) April 8, 2016
Ruf has experience in the outfield, though it isn't particularly good experience. And as Zolecki noted, not only was Ruf never a good outfielder, but he's probably rusty in the outfield considering that he hasn't played their recently.
That said, him playing in the outfield would do a few things. First, it would just inject some more power into a lineup that aside from Maikel Franco, lacks a consistent power threat. Besides that, if Ruf were able to play in the outfield on days that Howard is playing first, it would presumably be because a right-handed pitcher is starting. Ruf has hit well below .200 against right-handed pitching the last two seasons, but after a spring where he seemed to buck that trend, the Phillies may think it's worth having him play outfield for the potential pay-off of seeing him get extended playing time against all pitching.
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Thus far, the Phillies have gotten next to no offensive production from their outfielders. Odubel Herrera has just one hit in 11 at-bats, with his timing seemingly off. He's expected to heat-up once he gets his timing down, though the rest of the outfield may not. Peter Bourjos is a strong fielder, but he's also got just one hit in 11 at-bats. Cedric Hunter has a home run, but just two hits in 11 at-bats. And Tyler Goeddel, who has batted just three times, is hit-less this season.
Fortunately, as I noted this off-season, outfield production seems as though it will only be a temporary problem. Roman Quinn and Nick Williams, who are among the Phillies top prospects, aren't far from being ready to make their major league debuts. The Phillies also will get Aaron Altherr back either late this year or next season.
In the meantime, the Phillies are in a rough enough patch that they are considering trying Ruf in the outfield again.
Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com, focusing on news and features.
