Kapler, Nick Williams have ‘heart-to-heart’
PHILADELPHIA » Phillies outfielder Nick Williams had a heart-to-heart Saturday with Gabe Kapler, the rookie manager he accused of using a computer to complete the lineup card.
Williams, nonetheless, didn’t start for the second straight game thanks to analytics. Lefthander Dillon Peters was on the mound for the Marlins, opening the door for right-handed Aaron Altherr in right field. And he belted a grand slam in a rout of the Marlins.
But Williams certainly was heard by Kapler, whose numbers-driven, oddball style of managing has been a difficult adjustment for players and fans used to old school, veteran managers.
“He reached out and shared some of his thoughts with me directly,” Kapler said in a dugout at Citizens Bank Park. “And then he came in today and had a really nice heart-to-heart. He’s going to be in the lineup tomorrow. He’s a competitive guy. He wants to be in the lineup, which I totally understand. We had some conversations about how to address that best going forward. I think he’s better off for having had the experience. We’re all better off for having had the experience.”
Kapler made it clear he appreciates the spirit of Williams, along with outfielder Odubel Herrera, who wasn’t happy about sitting out the season opener. Kapler isn’t a fan of reading about the gripes before he gets it straight from the mouths of his players.
“I think there’s always a really, really professional way to approach it,” Kapler said. “There’s a great teammate way to approach it. And we’re going to encourage handling any discomfort that we have in the most professional way possible and the best teammate behavior possible.”
Interestingly, Kapler stepped back just a bit from his hardcore analytics approach to explain how he decides lineups. That was a mild departure from the comparatively cold approach that got him boos in the team’s home opener.
“Matchups play into this stuff,” Kapler said. “History of performance plays into this stuff. But so, does athleticism and his natural ability on the baseball field. Nick demonstrated that last year at this level and we have every confidence that he can demonstrate it again at this level.”
Last year Williams batted .288 with 12 homers, 55 RBIs and a .473 slugging percentage. This year he’s 1-for-11 with two RBIs.
Williams’ first start since the controversial remarks comes against righthander Trevor Richards (0-1, 10.38 ERA) of the Marlins, in the 1:35 p.m. getaway Sunday. It would be smart to take out any frustration on the baseball, lest Kapler spend another post-game presser explaining what it’s like to be a visionary type of manager.
“I understand that people want to understand me better and I appreciate that,” Kapler said. “I want to have a platform to be able to explain myself. I want to have a platform to be able to be vulnerable and share who I am with people. So, I guess it’s a gift for me. It helps me think through things, and articulate my thoughts better and share a little bit more of who I am.”
*** Phillies shortstop J.P. Crawford was out of the lineup Saturday, to continue refining the swing that’s left him with just one hit and 19 at bats this season.
Kapler called it “some minor tweaks and adjustments.”
Scott Kingery took the place of Crawford and batted third, behind Cesar Hernandez and Carlos Santana. Kingery went 2-for-5 with a double and one RBI. Veteran Pedro Florimón subbed in at short and went 1-for-2.
For now, it’s a one-game change as Kapler says he has the “utmost confidence in J.P.
“I just wanted to give him back to back days to work on anything he wanted to, clear his mind,” Kapler said. “I’m absolutely confident in his ability to be a strong offensive contributor as well as defend the baseball beautifully like he always does. So, excited that he’s going to be back in the lineup tomorrow, and excited for the rest of the season for him.”
*** NOTES » Jake Arrieta, who inked a three-year, $75 million contract, debuts Sunday against Richards … The series finale also marks the presentation of the 2017 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award to first baseman Carlos Santana, who earned the plaque with the Indians. Santana committed just five errors in 1,155 chances and was part of 129 double plays.
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Outfielder Nick Williams had a conversation with Kapler after making critical comments following the home opener Thursday. Williams, who