Thomson Mulls Batting Order Heading Into 2023 Season
In this story:
When Trea Turner signed an 11-year, $300 million deal to join the Philadelphia Phillies, it seemed like a no-brainer to insert him in the leadoff spot.
Seems logical.
Yet nothing has been officially decided.
Without a true leadoff hitter last season, Kyle Schwarber hit first mostly and produced a National League-leading 46 home runs.
"I think he liked it,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson told reporters Monday at the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association annual banquet in Cherry Hill, N.J.
With Turner here now, it looks to be a natural fit in the leadoff spot.
“He’s a high on-base guy, he’s a high slug guy, he steals bases,” Thomson told reporters. “You can put him in any part of the lineup you want, one through four, and he’s going to produce. But just his on-base skill is something that we really didn’t have last year and he’s a big threat, no doubt.”
Thomson also was asked about the designated hitter role since Bryce Harper is likely out until mid-July recovering from Tommy John surgery.
“We have options with Nick Castellanos, giving him a half day,” Thomson said. “We can give Rhys Hoskins a half day, even J.T. (Realmuto). But Darick (Hall) did a wonderful job for us when he came up last year when Bryce got hurt. He’s definitely in the mix this year.”
Stay tuned.
The Phillies could alter their lineup often with Harper out, especially at designated hitter. With different left-handed and right-handed pitching matchups, expect a good bit of lineup variation early in the season.
More From SI's Inside The Phillies:
- Phillies Star Bryce Harper Doesn't Hold Back on Thoughts About Joe Girardi
- How Mike Trout Will Join the Phillies
- Could Bryce Harper's Favorite MLB Player Join the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023?
- Could The Phillies Soon Be Playing in Wawa Park?
- Bryce Harper-Obsessed Japanese Baseball Star Wants to Play for Phillies
- Six Philadelphia Phillies Declare Free Agency
- Rumored Phillies Free Agent Target Just Opted Out of Contract
- Jimmy Rollins Describes Disrespectful Treatment by Ryne Sandberg
- Phillies Release 2023 Regular Season Schedule
- Picking the Phillies' All-Time Single Season Lineup
Make sure to follow Inside the Phillies on Substack and Twitter!
