Mayberry Looking For Right Answer
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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.
Mayberry Jr is just that..a 4th/5th outfielder/1st baseman. He gives you what you see, .240/15HRs/40RBI. Great fielder, mediocre bat. Unless his resurrection can be assured, he is what he is.— drhoffman- I think its pretty obvious he's not an everyday player considering his age and body of work. I think on a good team, he can be a decent 4th/5th outfielder, who can also pinch hit left handed pitchers, or as a defensive replacement if we end up with a less mobile outfielder next year.— FlyerAdam30
- What, is this article a freaking joke? Mayberry has had the ENTIRE SEASON to do something, and has sucked all year. One good month to end the season doesn't mean a darn thing.
This guy is not even close to a starting caliber player for a team in contention. He is barely passable as your third best outfielder on a last place team. Simply put, he is not a major league player.
I really cannot fathom why this writer thinks Mayberry can do something in the next month to prove that he is a legit MLB player. Dude is 29, and he has shown you this year EXACTLY why he has been a career minor leaguer.
He will not be starting in the outfield next year, and if he is the GM should be fired on opening day. Hopefully Amaro is gone after this year, but I don't expect we will get that lucky. If he does stick around, and JMJ is in his plans for next season, stick a fork in this team, and Amaro.— morningstar - really? charlie pulled him in and out of line up all year..when he plays everyday he does much better — chap
- rollins hitting the same 239 as mayberry with only 3 more Hrs and 12 more rbis in almost 200 more abs there is the main reason the phillies stink..he is lead off!!! — chap
- He looks good when he is square on the ball ... wish he would do it more often.
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— Quixote II - if you give him 600 abs he gets 25 to 30 Hr even if he hits 240 to 250 its still better than rollins or victorino..and he plays better D— chap
- A few comments from key punchers that have never hit a baseball...Mayberry Jr has been one of the enigmas of this 2012 Phillies team,coming off a sensational last 2 months of 2011, only to find himself an easy mark as many NL pitching staffs were able to make some easy adjustments on him....Jr is the classic "mistake" hitter, a very talented guy who will turn on, and smash, a sub 94mph fastball that finds too much of the plate (preferably,from lefthanded pitching)...Jr fell in love with taking "fastball down the middle" for Strike 1 too often this season, and doesn't often recognize (and hold off from)the pitcher's pitch which comes next (often a breaking ball off the plate)...No hitter will excel living in the pitcher's counts, and unless the opposition doesn't pound the zone early in the count, Mayberry too often lived as a hitter in pitcher's counts this year...Big John also turns too often on pitches,effectively using just a third of the field, as you'll RARELY see him hit a ball hard the other way...That being said,Jr is class personified, a good defender and baserunner, a hard worker who needs to be used properly...lefthanded pitching or righthanders who DO NOT throw hard breaking balls...Cholly's comments of "he has to hit righthanders" baffles somewhat, as he's perfect for a platoon situation...until he shows consistently he can battle RHP like he did Monday night...I've had Jr with 6 different stances this season, but currently he's on his first "waggle" of the bat.— bearsfriend
- I appreciate this thoughtful comment and believe you are right on, I just wish we would also see just a little less "nice guy" from my boy Mayberry. — sashby
- Putting Mayberry in context with the Phillies' last few seasons: if you stuck him in left field every day you would get at least as much offensive production as Ibanez provided in 2010 & 2011 with better defense for far less money. That should be a plus since the extra money can be used elsewhere. Similarly, he brings as much to the table offensively as Rollins for far fewer dollars and he is a much needed right handed bat. A smart GM keeps a guy like this around because he can do a decent enough job and is never going to bust the bank given his age.— jtj06
- jtj06:agreed. Good logic.— bearsfriend
- Yes, jtj06 and chap, you guys are totally correct: he's a decent player who over a full season, not getting jerked around in the lineup, pulled in and out, will hit about .250 with 20 plus hr. One thing I've noticed about him the past two years is that his issues with RH pitching go away when he consistently plays. His average against RH pitching has gone up about 20 points since he's been in regularly this year. And he's cheap!! Payroll flexibility which will allow the team to sign other players. You don't need and allstar at every position.— mjc1
- I believe it's more about matchups with him facing some righthanders,currently....Last night he roped a Mike Leake curveball on the outer half of the plate, as it was thrown at 78mph...a breaing ball he could handle....It's the righthanders with the hard biting sliders, where Jr. needs to pick up his recognition better, something that's easier said than done, even if he is seeing more at bats...When he's able to lay off the bad pitches (which is all any sane pitcher should throw if they're ahead in the count), then it's "Advantage Mayberry"...mjc, he's my Phillies' version of Lou! — bearsfriend
- If Mayberry is not an everyday player because of his BA, then Utley, Howard, Rollins, Polanco are not everyday players either.— gmr18901
- Except Utley has consistently stung the ball, as well as worked a plethora of walks since he's been back...Mayberry IS better than he's shown this season, in full...Just need him to continue to show he's more than a Ben Francisco, which I believe he can be. — bearsfriend
