Phillies Bench Takes Shape As Club Options Quinn
The Phillies made two more cuts on Monday as they head to Bradenton for the final Spring road game. One makes the Phillies bench picture clearer and the other makes the bullpen picture clearer. The Phillies optioned two to Triple-A Lehigh Valley: outfielder Roman Quinn and pitcher Zac Curtis.
Quinn's demotion means that the Phillies bench is likely outfielder Nick Williams, utility player Pedro Florimon and second baseman-turned super sub Scott Kingery. Williams will probably get plenty of at bats in the outfield against right-handed pitching and Kingery at bats against left-handed pitching, most likely in place of left-handed shortstop J.P. Crawford.
That means the Phillies will have a switch-hitting bat on the bench (Florimon), a left-handed bat (Williams) and a right-handed bat (Kingery).
Quinn returned to the position of shortstop he played when then Phillies drafted him to add it to his outfield repertoire. Should the Phillies wind up with an injury, Quinn could be recalled to assist the big league club. That is, of course, Quinn his healthy himself. The 2017 season was filled with missed opportunities for Quinn, who could have played plenty in the Phillies injury-ridden outfield had he not been hurt himself.
The catching position will feature Andrew Knapp backing up Jorge Alfaro, after the Phillies designated for assignment the contract of Cameron Rupp.
With Curtis heading to Triple-A, the left-handed pitchers in the bullpen should be Adam Morgan and Hoby Milner. Curtis was claimed on waivers from the Seattle Mariners back in September. After Fernando Abad was cut by the Phillies, Curtis appears to be the next man up should the Phillies need a left-handed reliever.