Mayberry Looking For Right Answer
Nobody knows whether John Mayberry Jr. factors into the Phillies plans for the future, but manager Charlie Manuel made it simple and clear what Mayberry has to do to earn consistent playing time.
Mayberry Looking For Right Answer
Marc Narducci
Nobody knows whether John Mayberry Jr. factors into the Phillies plans for the future, but manager Charlie Manuel made it simple and clear what Mayberry has to do to earn consistent playing time.
“He has to hit right-handed pitching and has to be more consistent,” Manuel said after Mayberry went 3 for 5 with a home run and 3 RBIs in Monday’s 12-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
The Phillies have won three in a row and Mayberry is 6 for 13 with two home runs and five RBIs in those games.
“I think I am no different than really any other player," Mayberry said. "Just getting in there and getting your timing together is really going to really help you."
Manuel makes a good point about Mayberry hitting right-handers. After a good game against Reds righties, Mayberry is now 39 for 175 (.223) with four home run and 15 RBIs. Against left-handers he is 33 for 126 (.262) with seven home runs and 16 RBIs.
“When John has that good swing, he hits the ball hard,” Manuel said.
Mayberry, who turns 29 in December, offers the Phillies tremendous versatility. He has played right, center and left field in addition to first base.
Mayberry had 15 home runs in 267 at-bats last year. This year he already has 301 at-bats and is hitting .239 with 11 home runs and 33 RBIs. His on-base percentage is just .281.
That is what Manuel means about being more consistent. Mayberry has a team-high 80 strikeouts. The Phillies will try to determine whether Mayberry is a fourth outfielder, or could be an everyday player.
He is one of many players who need to show in the final month that he can be a valuable contributor.
Cholly pulled Mayberry in & out out of the line-up and in my estimation. I have not given up on him and would play him daily (same w/Brown) the last 40 games and see what each can do. I'm not convinced that the options out there, within our money grasp are better.........
— Northcountry- Last year with consistent playing time, Mayberry hit .250 against RH pitching with 7 hr and 28 rbi in 156 ABs. He can hit RH pitching well enough. He should have been playing all year, but Charlie liked the fact that Pierre had a higher avg. against righties. Problem is, Pierre has no power, and it cost the Phillies in production this year. Put JMJ in every day, and he will be a consistent producer, not great, but cheap, and a good fielder.— mjc1
- Mayberry is a keeper...let him have as many at bats as Rollins and Ibanez and he would show them up!! he has a great drive to improve.... his batting average is better than Jimmy Rollins!!!!— westie33
- Texas gave up on him for a reason.— Phillip Phan
- All of you who said he is a platoon player are absolutely right. Why, with all the injuries, etc. - didn't the Phillies platoon this year - at several positions? Doesn't ANYone rememeber 1993? That was classic TEAM baseball! I would love to hear an explanation from the management on that subject.— dwp66
