Scott Podsednik isn't making the Phillies' decision easy...
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Scott Podsednik isn't making the Phillies' decision easy...
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Scott Podsednik took two balls, swung through a pitch, then squared up a fastball he could drive, sending it sailing onto the right field berm and delivering a walk-off win to the Phillies. Afterward, Charlie Manuel couldn't help but admire the veteran left-handed hitter's at-bat against Pirates southpaw Daniel Moskos.
"Podsednik got a good ball to hit there at the end," Manuel said. "He got up in the count and he got a fastball that looked like it was down and right in the middle of the plate."
The home run illustrated the biggest difference between Podsednik and his chief competition for a bench spot on the Phillies' Opening Day roster. Manuel acknowledged that he has a tough decision to make if it comes down to Podsednik or Juan Pierre for one of the team's final bench spots. In some ways, the two veterans have similar skill sets. Both rely on their speed and ability to reach base. Both are left-handed hitters. Both play the corner outfield positions. And both are long-time veterans looking for a chance to contribute.
The big difference? Manuel said he thinks Pierre is more of a top-of-the-line-up hitter who can get on base and make things happen. The 34-year-old veteran has hit .295 with a .367 on base percentage this spring, numbers that are similar to his career averages of .296 and .345.
Podsednik is two years older than Pierre. He carries a career .279 batting average and a career .340 on base percentage. But he also has 41 home runs in 3,707 major league at-bats, compared with Pierre's 16 home runs in 6,823 at-bats.
Another difference this spring has been their base-running. Pierre has been thrown out on 3 of his 5 stolen base attempts. That might not be a concern except he is coming off a season in which he was thrown out on 17 of 44 attempts. Manuel also sounds ambivalent about Podsednik's defense. Although he relies on speed, he has never been regarded as a great defender. Although the Phillies have used him in center field at times this spring, Manuel said he views Podsednik as a corner guy. If Shane Victorino were to go down with an injury, John Mayberry Jr. would move to center field, leaving left and first base to a collection of other players.
This is going to be a very, very interesting decision, and if Manuel's body language was any indication, it is one that he is going to wrestle with. All spring, Manuel has raved about Pierre's attitude and make-up, as well as his history of wreaking havoc on the base paths. At the same time, Podsednik appears to have out-performed Pierre this spring. Of his 17 hits, six have gone for extra bases. He is hitting .362 with an on base percentage over .400. He has converted all five of his stolen base attempts. He appears to be running very well on the base paths.
Spring training results are far less significant than track records. But even there, it is difficult to tell who has the edge. Pierre's production has been well below his carer averages the last couple seasons, when he hit .277/.335/.322 while playing regularly for the White Sox. In Podsednik's last two years in the majors, he has a .300/.347/.397 line, also while playing regularly.
But Podsednik also spent all of last season in the minors trying to shake a foot injury. He appears to have overcome that injury. That doesn't mean it has been erased from the Phillies' minds.
"We have to make a decision," Manuel said. "I know how long Pierre has played and I know how long Podsednik's played."
I wouldn't get too caught up in Podsednik's power numbers. He has 40 HRs across 10 big league seasons, although he can hit for average. Pierre might have the edge because he hit .329 against lefties last year, but I hate the fact that he's led the league in caught stealing 7 times in his career (although he stole 68 bags in 2010). Nothing kills an inning like a leadoff baserunner getting gunned, and with no Utley or Howard, the Phils are gonna need all the baserunners they can get- Lou Brock also led the league in caught stealing seven times in his career. — mwcnabb
- Don't the Phils have the option to send Podsednik to Lehigh, but don't have that option for Pierre? That might decide it.— P Even
- Keep the guy who is getting it done. Who cares what they did last year- who will get the job done this year- looks like Podsednik to me.— Keep The Change
- So last year, when Dane Sardinha hit .333 in the spring and Carlos Ruiz hit .182, the Phils should have sent Chooch packing? Only a knucklehead would keep someone on the roster in April because he was "getting it done" in February and March. — phillyl0
- I love the looks of Podsednik right now - he seems to have much more juice left in the tank. But Pierre has to make the team for the reason stated by Peven, and that is because Pierre must be released and cannot be sent to the minor - Podsednik can be sent down.— CosmoK
- Another Pierre vs. Podsednik column/blog.
What a shock.— PhightinPhil - keep em both— stoky
- Pods
Bring back Diekman, bastardO not right— WFChamps - Podsednik has earned the job and is hungrier at this point in his career because he sat out last year. He should lead off with Rollins hitting third. Polanco plays second, Wigginton plays third and Mayberry stays at first. When Utley and Howard come back they can return the lineup to last years but with Nix and Mayberry in left. Wigginton and Podsednik would solidify the bench.— Phillip Phan
- Jesus this is stupid. Podsednik has TOTALLY earned this job. We need guys on the big club who are performing & getting the job done immediately. In case anyone noticed, OUR LINEUP IS A MESS. But knowing the Phillies, they'll send Pods down (bc they can) so they have him in reserve & let Pierre come north (bc god forbid he goes somewhere else & produces). Then 6 weeks into the season when Pods is destroying AAA & Pierre is hitting .143 w/ZERO steals, they'll buy out Pierre & elevate Pods. Sometimes fat charlie & ruben out think themselves. Expect this to be the case here.— thomaspfoolery
- The contract seems bigger than the wins in April. Pierre has NO arm in the outfield. He is an instant double waiting to happen. His OBP is good, but if you combine that with his "caught stealing" ration, its much lower. Podsednik is like a firecracker on this team. He is hustling, diving, and hitting like he did 3 years ago on the White Sox. Just because he can be sent down, doesn't make logical sense w/o Utley and Howard. Offense is key and Podsednik has EARNED the spot on the roster. I like Pierre. But if he needs to be on the roster by March 30, 2012, let him make the decision. Two more games to show their colors. Based on today alone, I'm in Pods corner.— drhoffman
- I'm with you Stoky.....as pathetic as this team is offensively, I'd keep them both— klew
- contraer piere,....guys like him are a dime a dozen,.....keep pods, he's a good veteran lefty stick— SyddBarrett
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