A word on Mayberry
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A word on Mayberry
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The volume of questions about John Mayberry Jr. has expanded in recent days. The majority sound something like this: "Should we worry?"
If it's spring stats that make you worry, then absolutely not.
Yes, Mayberry is tied for the team lead in Grapefruit League at-bats with 68 and he is currently toting a .191/.247/.250 slash line. He's 13 for 68 and four of those hits are doubles. He has no home runs and has struck out 10 times with five walks.
It hasn't been pretty; few times has Mayberry squared up the ball.
But how soon we forget Ben Francisco. Certainly you'll remember Francisco began 2011 as the Phillies starting right fielder. He came to camp with purpose and it showed. He batted .361/.439/.667 in 72 Grapefruit League at-bats. Eleven of his 26 hits were for extra bases, including a team-leading five home runs.
By the end of May, of course, Francisco was on the bench. From April 1 to May 20, Francisco hit .221/.331/.368 in 136 at-bats. On May 21, Domonic Brown was recalled from triple-A Lehigh Valley to assume the majority of playing time. Later, Hunter Pence filled right field.
This is a roundabout way of stating the irrelevancy of spring stats. Sure, they sometimes are a tool for teams to make roster decisions. But, mostly, a spring won't make or break a player.
Now, back to that question: Should you worry? There should be trepidation. Even if Mayberry was hitting .600 with seven home runs this spring, there would still be pause. The Phillies have no clue what to expect from Mayberry. His second half in 2011 was a revelation, but hardly a coronation. Before spring training started, we examined why it was impossible to be sold on Mayberry as an everyday player. None of that changes with a good or bad spring.
And it's this writer's opinion that Mayberry is the most important offensive piece in a new Phillies reality that excludes Ryan Howard and Chase Utley.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
Doesn't matter. He HAS to play. Put him in there, keep him in there, and take stock of where he is in a couple months. They really don't have a choice. Chances are, he will provide about what Ibanez provided last year, which won't be the end of the world.— 5NOT4- Brown has a better bat but Mayberry's defense is needed with the injuries. And you have to see how Mayberry looks for a month in real games. Brown can also be called up later if needed. I could see a scenario where Mayberry moves back into a bench role if he doesn't show something by May/June and some of the other pieces are back. My hunch is he'll be fine and we shouldn't worry too much about his spring stats.
I agree with EZ that Bastardo and Stutes are a bit of a concern. The good news with the pen is there are other guys like Diekman and Savery who we could call on. One of those guys may make the best of a scenario where Stutes or Bastrdo is struggling.— s - Mayberry DOES NOT stink!— phillynupe4
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- See Saw the team speed is actually good if they use it, Rollins and Victorino can steal 25-30 each easily. Also Mayberry and Posednik or Pierre can also reach double digits without a problem.
— BCRock - IF GALVIS PLAYS 2ND REGULARLY UNTIL(IF) UTLEY RETURNS, THE PITCHING STAFF WILL PICKET CBP WANTING GALVIS' DEFENSE BACK ON THE FIELD— DONDEN31
- Didn't Ibanez disappear for months at a time? Mayberry will be just fine.— Leegles
Donden, I don't know how Utley's defense will be this year, but if last year is any indication, it will be excellent as usual.
Google "chase utley defense" some time.— schmenkman- Until Utley and Howard get back, the Phils need to play small ball. Get on base, steal bases and smart base running. Starting Lineup on Opening Day should be: SS-J Roll, LF-Pierre, CF-Victorino, RF-Pence, 1B-Wigginton, 3B-Polanco, 2B-Galvis, C-Ruiz...SMALL BALL BABY and let the pitchers win for them again this year!!!!— halterd72
- Cakes: You wouldn't e a kid I coached at UD these many years ago, would you?— billroc35
- I'm more concerned that we'll never get spicy brown mustard at the food stations at CBP. $180M payroll yet the paying customers can't get their diablo on.— Jerome99RIP
- I'm more concerned that we'll never get spicy brown mustard at the food stations at CBP. $180M payroll yet the paying customers can't get their diablo on.— Jerome99RIP
- I think Mayberry is the key player in our lineup. We know what Pence, Rollins, Victorino, and Polanco are going to do but Mayberry will be key for driving in some runs with Howard and Utley out. I don't think Mayberry has to have a tremendous but if he plays the way he did in the seond half of next year, and nothing more, this lineup should be fine without the 2 boppers.— Anything_Philly_is4me
- If Maberry stinks it up we are in trouble. There's a lot of doubt with Mayberry since his whole minor league career was a mediocre one. His weaknesses throughout his career wont just disappear over night. The kid has class, works hard and has the right attitude. There have been players who had mediocre results in the minor then found success in the majors. It is possible but the odds are stock against him.— BigGuppie
