Scott Kingery is ready for the moment.
"I think experience," Kapler told Angelo Cataldi when asked why Kingery has been playing so well. "Experience is the greatest teacher, Angelo. Kingery has now seem the game from many different angles. As the starting shortstop on a team that is kind of fighting for the playoffs in the middle of the summer last year. As a guy who has not gotten a lot of reps. As the top prospect in an organization. As a guy who has had to come in, in big situations and pinch hit. A guy where a manager had to put him in very difficult positions. I have definitely done that to Kingery, and the reason we've done that is because we think he is tough as nails mentally and can handle it.
"But here he is kind of emerged on the other side, playing the best baseball we've seen him play. Being athletic on the diamond, in the middle of the diamond as a shortstop last night. Getting big hits for us, hitting the ball out of the ball park and into the gap. I think the most notable why, is because he's had some great experience."
Kapler announced that Kingery will start at shortstop on Wednesday, at the very least, and then he'll see what happens going forward.
Kingery, in just his second season, has slashed just .239/.281/.362 in 158 career MLB games. This year, Kingery has 11 hits and a walk, reaching base in exactly half of his 24 plate appearances. The highly touted prospect signed a six-year contract through 2023 worth a guaranteed $24 million with the Phillies last March.
The rubber match between the Phillies and Mets is at 1:05pm on Wednesday. Jake Arrieta will get the ball for the 10-6 Phils, while Zack Wheeler gets the start for the 10-7 Mets. Kapler understands the rivalary that is brewing here.
"It's a really good matchup," Kapler said of the Mets. "I think their lineup is really dangerous. Good, young hitters, some guys who can put the ball in the gap, super dangerous across the board. I feel really good about the way we stack up though."
Kapler joins Angelo Cataldi every Wednesday at 9am. Listen to Kapler's full interview on 94WIP below.