Could Phillies prospect Scott Kingery be up for a position change? (Frank Klose/Sports Talk Philly)
Rather frequently, Phillies fans have been calling for the promotion of second baseman Scott Kingery. After hitting 18 home runs at Double-A Reading, Kingery headed to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and got right to work. In just seven games with the IronPigs, Kingery has already hit four home runs and driven in seven runs. The Phillies may be looking ahead to figure out a way to get Kingery into the Major Leagues sooner than later. Could one way be at third base?
Tom Housenick of the Allentown Morning Call was in the press box when he took notice of Kingery taking some ground balls at third base. Housenick took some video of the exercise and posted it to the Morning Call's website, MCall.com. What could this mean for the Phillies?
The Phillies are currently without second baseman Cesar Hernandez, who is dealing with an oblique injury that might keep him out of the Phillies lineup for another few weeks. However, when Hernandez returns, the may go right back to second base and the leadoff spot, which could be one reason why Kingery is not being considered for an immediate promotion. The Phillies could still entertain trade offers for Hernandez and move him to another club in the right deal.
Hernandez has experience playing third base, center field, and shortstop for the Phillies in his short tenure with the club. Hernandez could certainly trade positions to accommodate Kingery if necessary. But the Phillies likely are keeping all options open.
Third baseman Maikel Franco was said to be available in trade by the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo in a recent report. This by no means that the Phillies are eager to trade Franco, but rather that they are currently open to almost anything. That could be a trade of Franco with a corresponding move to third base for Kingery.
The Phillies appear to be willing to consider anything.
