Is Hall In Position To Earn More Playing Time With Philadelphia Phillies This Season?

In limited playing time last season, Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Darick Hall more than proved his mettle.

He’ll have an opportunity to continue showing what he can do through spring training.

With Bryce Harper out until at least mid-July while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Hall will have a chance to showcase his skills in right field. He can also fill in as the designated hitter on certain days.

Hall hit nine home runs in 136 at-bats last season and produced an OPS of .804.

Hall was the 407th overall pick in the 2016 draft and lasted all the way to the 14th round.

He took advantage of an opportunity last season and it gave him some added confidence heading into Clearwater, Fla.

"It made me feel like I definitely had a place," Hall told reporters. "Obviously, it gave me a lot of confidence because coming up through the minor leagues, I was never touted as a prospect and didn't always have a clear path, so the burden of wanting to get to the big leagues was always heavy. Then on top of that, I want to perform and master the level I'm at.”

Hall hasn’t been satisfied with simply reaching the Major Leagues.

He wants a whole lot more.

"For me, when I got to the big leagues, the wanting-to-get-to-the-big-leagues drive, that was satisfied, so what took over was just pure performance,” Hall added. “All I want to do is get the most out of my ability and play the best that I can, and it actually helped me center my focus. That's why I think when I did get the call last year, when I got there, I was able to play with confidence, I felt relaxed. In my head, all I had to do was focus on one thing. I think that's probably similar for a lot of guys coming up through the minor leagues. I had the taste of it last year and just kind of reflecting on that, improve and move forward."

If Phillies manager Rob Thomson gives Hall a chance in the outfield, he’ll be prepared.

The work continues in spring training.

"I felt like I had a pretty good experience doing it, so now it's just about getting the reps and being able to read the ball," Hall told reporters. "For me, I kind of have one speed, and the way I learn is by giving it all that I have, and that means in live BP, the first day I was taking cuts, I wasn't tracking (pitches). And in the outfield, it's going as hard as I can because if I go as hard as I can, I know what my room for error is.

"That's just the way I've done it for years. That doesn't mean I'm going to be in hyperdrive, but that's the way I've always played. You don't make the team on the first day and you do need to perform over the course of camp and not blow yourself out after a week, come up sore and miss time. You can't make the team in the tub."

That's a very mature perspective from Hall.

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