PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Fans have been able to see Odúbel Herrera’s improvement on the field after almost two years away from big league baseball, but most people don’t get to see how he fits in with his teammates.
Herrera has stated publicly his goal to regain the trust of his teammates, the organization and Phillies fans since Major League Baseball suspended him in 2019 over a domestic violence charge.
The Phillies’ biggest and most recognizable star, Bryce Harper, shared some insight on Herrera's solidarity with the team after the two of them sparked a 5-2 win against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday.
"He’s been good. He’s been playing the game hard, playing it right. He’s one of us. He’s a Phillie," Harper said.
"And the thing about Odúbel, too, is he brings that emotion and that passion the correct way. In his walks, he’s fired up, he’s clapping, and he’s ready to go."
Harper and Herrera almost cost the Phillies the game when a miscommunication in the outfield led to the two colliding — and Alex Avila's fly ball dropping to the ground.
Herrera redeemed himself with a one-out home run in the top of the 9th inning to force extras.
"I was ready to see the ball and hit it, and he throw me a hanger, breaking ball. I recognize it and put a good swing," Herrera said postgame. "Yeah yeah yeah. I feel really good, really excited because that put the team in good way to win the game."
First baseman Rhys Hoskins told The Phillies Radio Network that Herrera’s home run made the dugout ecstatic and gave the team a needed jolt of energy.
It was arguably Herrera’s biggest moment since the club called him up after nearly a month after spring training.
And it was a big win for the Phillies, winning them a road series of at least three games for the first time since September 2019. The victory clinched them the series heading into Thursday afternoon’s finale — a chance to sweep a road series for the first time since April 2018.
Their nine-season playoff drought might have ended last year, or sooner, if they had done better on the road. Maybe things are turning around.
Herrera has been back with the Phillies in center field for more than two weeks, and he is beginning to heat up at the plate. He hit .345 in his last nine games with a .424 on base percentage, .621 slugging percentage, two home runs and two doubles.
Like every other player in center field this season, Herrera was struggling at first, but he found his groove earlier this month. Manager Joe Girardi gave some credit to hitting coach Joe Dillon for helping Herrera through those struggles.
"Right now at the plate I’m feeling really good, because I’m working in the [batting] cage really hard. So, I’m taking that to the game and I’m gonna keep going," Herrera said.
He said he’s making adjustments in the cage, using more of his lower body, swinging at strikes. But he’s also playing every day. And as with anything in life, practice makes perfect.
"[Playing] every day — that’s helped me a lot, because I see more pitches, I see more pitching and I think that’s gonna make me a better player and better hitter."