The biggest difference Phillies manager Gabe Kapler sees in second-year player Scott Kingery is his improved decision making.
Related: Kapler, Cataldi debate the Segura-McCutchen situation
"This year he's forcing the pitchers to come on the plate and when they do come on the plate, he's punishing them for mistakes," Kapler told Angelo Cataldi on Wednesday's 94WIP Morning Show. "And even if he doesn't hit his pitch, he's still taking a fluid, athletic swing on it. I think all of those things are coming together and he's having himself a breakout season."
Kingery, 25, is hitting .324/.365/.630 with seven homers and 35 RBIs in 35 games this season, nearly matching his power numbers through all of his rookie season in 2018 (8 HR, 35 RBI in 147 games). Over his last two games, Kingery is 4-8 with three home runs and five RBIs.
⬜️ Single⬜️ Double☑️ Triple☑️ Home Run#RingTheBellhttps://t.co/LNtBBqtZiZ pic.twitter.com/imrDjWtolo
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 11, 2019His long-term position is still to be determined, but Kapler is confident he can excel pretty much anywhere.
"I think he could play every day in center field, very easily at second base, shortstop, or third base," Kapler said of Kingery. "I think all of those positions he would be, not just good, but above average, better than a typical major league player at that position."
Another guy who has been a bright spot for the Phils is recent acquisition Jay Bruce. Bruce who already has five homers in eight games as a Phillie, is more surprisingly been excellent defensively in the outfield.
The man does it all. -- pic.twitter.com/RzEhUrDrBa
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 12, 2019"When he came into the office, when he first got traded and came over to San Diego, he came into my office and we discussed his role," Kapler said of Bruce. "One of the things we talked about is the possibility that he comes off of the bench for big pinch hit at-bats—and of course, this was before Andrew McCutchen's injury. But we also discussed the possibility that he would play every day. Jay, was strong in letting me know that he thought he could play, not just an adequate left-field, but an above average left-field.
"He said one of the things that he's worked really hard on was coming in on the ball, and he's also gonna work on going back, but coming in is something that he's really good at. And he's done exactly that thus far. Ball has been in front of him, he's got great reads, great jumps, taking good routes, dove at the end of plays, extended well. He's always been a good thrower, so it's a pleasant surprise thus far and we'll look to keep that momentum going."
The Phillies are 5-2 over their last seven games, improving to 38-29 overall. They're now tied with the Braves for first place in the NL East.
