Kapler has visions of Kingery in power spot
NEW YORK >> Scott Kingery heard the scouting report and his first instinct was to hold back a chuckle.
The report, from his manager: That in his career, Kingery will be a three-hole hitter.
“Not a typical three-hole hitter, I guess,” Kingery said. “But any spot in the lineup is not that much different than the others. In the three hole, maybe you will have more runners on base. But you are only guaranteed to hit third one time in the game.”
As he has been, Kingery hit leadoff against the New York Mets Saturday night. His minor-league background as an infielder, his legendary speed and his total of 19 career major-league home runs, would not immediately suggest a long-term future at a spot historically reserved for a power hitter.
Gabe Kapler, though, is convinced it is where Kingery one day will land.
“I think he can definitely hold down a threehole spot for quite some time,” Kapler said.
The manager is on the record as saying the Phillies are at their best when Cesar Hernandez is leading off. Kingery, however, has been more productive in that spot this season, so Kapler adjusted. But Kingery was also leading the Phillies with a .568 slugging percentage Saturday.
As the Phillies are constructed, Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins will be in the middle of the lineup for another decade. But if Andrew McCutchen regains his leadoff spot next season after recovery from a knee injury and Jean Segura continues to succeed at the twohole, that could open the three-spot to Kingery.
“If you want me to project out where Scott Kingery is best in the lineup, the way he is swinging the bat right now, it is three,” Kapler said. “I think he’s doing a great job in the leadoff spot, but he loves to swing and contact comes quick. He’s seeing more pitches now than he ever has before, which is why I’m more comfortable with him in the leadoff spot. But he’s still a guy that walks like five and a half, six percent of the time. I’m not sure what the number is, but it’s a smaller number.”
Groomed in the minors as the Phils’ second baseman of the future, Kingery has played multiple positions in his year-plus in the big-leagues, including mop-up relief pitcher. Recently, he has become an effective defensive center fielder.
“Scott Kingery could be an every day center fielder, right fielder, left fielder, shortstop, second baseman or third baseman,” Kapler said. “If you give him every day reps at that position, he will be a plus defender at any one of those positions. And I believe that wholeheartedly and strongly.”
But as for that batting order spot, Kapler has Kingery ticketed for a power spot in the lineup.
“If he’s swinging the bat like he’s swinging the bat,” he said, “I kind of like him somewhere in the middle.”
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Still recovering from a flexor injury that has had him on the injured list since April
15, pricey relief pitcher David Robertson reported a successful bullpen session Saturday.
“I threw 27, 28 pitches, three curve balls,” he said. “It’s good. I hope to have a live bullpen Friday. We’ll see. It depends on how I rebound, how I come back from this one.”
Robertson said he would not pause his recovery during the All-Star break.
“It’s not a break for me,” he said. “I have to keep going forward and get ready to get someone out in a big situation.”
If so, he will save Matt Klentak from shopping for an in-season bullpen boost.
“Who knew?” Robertson said, smiling. “I was here the whole time.”
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Andrew Knapp entered the game Saturday on an 0-for-15 slide, and he had not produced an extra-base hit since a May 26 home run. So when does something have to give? Though acknowledging that the question deserved to be posed, Kapler is trying to remain patient.
“In fairness, he’s not getting a lot of opportunities, right?” the manager said. “We don’t put him out there very often and it’s not like he gets consistent work to hone his craft. That’s part of the job, though. The best role players are the guys who have ups and downs in the opportunities that they have and they are able to perform under sub-optimal conditions.”
With All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto known to resist days off, the switch-hitting Knapp had just 81 plate appearances and was hitting .152 Saturday.
“One of Andrew Knapp’s calling cards in his minor league career was an on-base threat,” Kapler said. “So we’re certainly not looking for him to do any sort of big damage. But we’re a better club when he’s getting on base regularly.” •••
Aaron Nola (7-2, 3.89 ERA) will oppose Mets right-hander Zach Wheeler (6-5, 4.42) Sunday afternoon at 1:10 in the last game before the All-Star break.