For Kapler and Crawford, sample size matters

PHILADELPHIA » Gabe Kapler is obsessed with sample size.

The Phillies’ manager rarely wastes an opportunity to caution about reading too much into results in April.

Just what kind of sample size would be meaningful, though, is a guarded secret.

“I think we’re always looking at a number of things,” Kapler said. “Whatever we’re seeing in that small sample size is coupled with some of the emotions the players are feeling. Some guys need to be out there every single day, and others really respond more to a blow once in a while. We look at that. What size sample size we can depend on? Two-hundredfifty plate appearances, that might be a strong one. I’m not sure.”

With all due respect, guys like JP Crawford can be difficult to wait for. Crawford started the day batting just .043 — one hit in 23 at bats. But then Crawford provided an example Tuesday of why you need to wait until the All-Star break to see if he can hit.

Back in the lineup, Crawford responded with a lined single to right, driving home Nick Williams in the bottom of the seventh inning to put the Phillies ahead for good in a 6-1 win over the Reds.

The sample size is not just about Crawford, who has seen three starts at short go to Scott Kingery in this early stage of the season. But it’s fair, at least.

“He’s been working deeper counts and he continues to give himself the best chance to succeed by seeing more pitches,” Kapler said. “Ultimately guys are going to start making mistakes and he’s going to start driving those baseballs.”

*** Maikel Franco was out of the lineup at third base, Kingery in, as the Phillies faced Reds righthander Homer Bailey.

Both are righthanded batters. Neither had faced Bailey.

Franco is 7-for-15 (.467) with two homers and 11 RBIs on the homestand.

“It’s just basically that rotation to keep guys fresh,” Kapler said. “Certainly, Frankie has been swinging a really good bat over the last three four times out. I feel really good about where we’re trending with Frankie. It’s just an opportunity to get somebody else in the lineup. We’ve got a lot of good players and we need to find ways to get them in there. This is one of those ways.”

Nick Williams batted fifth, Kingery sixth.

Kingery was 3-for-13 (.231) with a dinger and two RBIs in the last four games, then launched an eighth-inning grand slam Tuesday.

*** Injured reliever Tommy Hunter threw in the bullpen before the game.

The next step is pitcher’s fielding practice (PFPs) Wednesday.

Hunter is on the disabled list with a hamstring issue.

“His bullpens are looking really healthy,” Kapler said. “So, everything’s good on that front.”

The Phillies don’t have a timetable for a rehab assignment, although Kapler said “we’re not that far off.”

The righthander was 3-5 with a 2.61 ERA in 58.2 innings last year with the Rays. Hunter allowed 43 hits and struck out 64 in those games.

*** Kapler began his pregame availability praising the Phillies’ “aggressive baserunning.”

“I think it’s actually playing pretty well,” he said. “Our first-to-thirds have been pretty strong thus far. Also, behind the plate I’m really happy with the job our catchers are doing framing the ball, keeping the ball in the zone. I think that’s really going to play well for our pitchers over … the long haul. And I’m feeling pretty good about things in general.” Thank you.

*** Near the end of his media availability, Kapler had fun talking about the lefty batting practice pitcher the Phillies advertised for on their Twitter account a couple of weeks ago.

Men and women have submitted YouTube videos advertising themselves for the position that would begin at home games but could extend to road trips, per Kapler.

“There are some videos that are really entertaining,” Kapler said. “It’s hard. It’s a skill. It takes a lot of work.”

You can check out appearances of various candidates on YouTube.