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
John Mayberry Jr. hit a home run in the sixth inning against the Reds on Monday. (Ron Cortes/Staff Photographer)
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.
Comments (50)
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- Texas gave up on him for a reason.— Phillip Phan
- 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
- 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
- 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 - Mayberry is getting a good shot to show what he can do this season. Some has been good, but he has not convinced Charlie he can hit RH pitching well enough to stay in the lineup everyday, so chances are he will be the 4th OF/backup 1B next season. Nothing wrong with that. He may even get a shot being a platoon player in RF along with Schierholtz.— Paul SoTX
- How about a platoon with Pierre next year with Mayberry picking up extra time filling in for Howard and the other outfielders? He is establishing that he is not "the answer" but he is a valuable asset with his glove and his hitting versus lefties as well as filling in adaquately wherever they play him.— gotedge
- The problem with your argument is: MAYBERRY DOESN'T PLAY SS! JRoll provides 2.9 WAR as a SS. Mayberry provies 0.1 WAR as an outfielder. JRoll is WAY more valuable than Mayberry is or ever will be. Mayberry is an average replacement player, JRoll provides 2.9 wins above a replacement player.— 46 and 2
- Rollins gets paid 22 times more than Mayberry. He isn't even 3 times better. According to ESPN.com, Rollins is 7th in offensive WAR out of 8 qualified shortstops in the NL. He is tied with Josh Rutledge, who only has 124 ABs!! So, given that demonstrated fact that Rollins is one of the worst regular offensive shortstops in the league and Galvis is a better fielder and costs 1/22nd...I'd have saved my money and not taken on Rollins' albatross contract. — jtj06
- That's probably why he's 7th because when you restrict the sample size based on minimum plate apperances you get what I got. If you look at players that have a minimum of 400 plate apperances, there are only three short stops ahead of him. Rutledge is a rookie (less of a scouting report on him--more of a suprise) and only has 130 plate appearances. Let me know how he does when he has at least 350. A 3.0 WAR for JRoll = about $13mil/yr. — 46 and 2
- Since June, Mayberry's K% has gone down, while his line drive percentage has gone up, good things. But he is still just an average player. He is basically a replacement player with 0.1 WAR. He has a 0.277 wOBA against Right handers this year which is WELL below average and forget about him when he is behind in the count, he's horrible. He needs to maintain an ISO above 0.200 to remain on this team...in my opinion.— 46 and 2
- Can't imagine Mayberry is your CF next year and Brown looks to have left covred. So what better options do the Phil have for RF next year? Considering the salary mess they are in, I'd have to guess that Mayberry will either be starting in RF or platooning with Nix. Would love to see the Phils give him one more year since he's only 28 and try and use that money to bring Headly in from SD to play 3rd. And to be honest who looks worse, Howard or Jr??? And for about $24mm less a year.— JuanSamuel4prez
- Mayberry is a good hitter when Howard is around. Same goes with Pence, Victorino, etc.— Clt Philly Fan
- like many have said Mayberry is a class guy, and I am rooting for him to succeed. I really wish he could get "out of his head" and bring a little more emotion to this opportunity....seize this chance....Lifelong Phillies fan who lives down here in DC and get to see Nats regularly (while watching Phillies on mlb.com)...and really like to see JWerth play....his intensity and professionalism is contagious...in a lot of ways I think he is a model for Mayberry to build on...as far as build...path to the big leagues and big league pedigree...would love him to strike out one time and make some noise at the ump or throw a bat...he has all the tools and needs to seize the moment (maybe this is all some pop-psychology babble that I wish I could tell him, but i believe I have a similar nice guy, get along temperment that in years I have looked to shed to grow in my profession). Think of '06 and '07 Phillies and how Jwerth and Victorino brought an intensity as role players and put pressure on mgmt to give them the positions...Dom Brown and Mayberry need to do the same thing...TAKE THE POSITIONS...Charlie is giving them every opportunity.— sashby
- I'm not against Jimmy taking a day or two, but he already took Monday off, then requested the leave on Tuesday. If he was on the road, I don't have any problems with that. He's supposed to be a leader of this team. Halladay took one day off for some personal matter. He's a pitcher. That's my point. I understand about the paternity leave thing. However, it's up to the player to take it. The players are like politicians, they work like 8 months a year and get paid handsomely.— EL Zorro
- I was once a big advocate of Mayberry. Still say he should have been an every day player early in the season and not platooned. His defense has been disappointing in the outfield too. But it is time to move on. Really excited about Darin Ruf in left field. He has hit 13 home runs in 25 games in August. Only 14 games remain in the Eastern League season and this guy has 31 home runs for the season. Last week he threw out his first base runner at second base from left field in what was described as a "strike" to second. He has yet to make an error in left after 17 games there this season. Would like to see a September outfield of Ruf in left, Gillies in center and Brown in right. No more Mayberry! No more Nix! No more Wiggy! No more Pierre! Give under 30 year old players a chance in the outfield in Sept.! At least give the fans HOPE for a better, younger team for next season.— Dull
- Zorro, I'm sure you are a hard-working guy, and so am I. But if I had a provision in my contract with my employer that I could take three days off for the birth of my child, I would do so. (Jimmy didn't personally negotiate that provision, either. His union did.) I wouldn't consider that I was cheating anybody, and I would resent it if somebody said I was. BTW, the granting of paternity leave is becoming much more common in many workplaces. And as far as the African-American thing is concerned, I think it's legitimate to note that both Rollins and Howard come from a very different family situation than a lot of young black athletes, and to suppose that maybe they want to pass that stability on to the families they create.— Dave Clemens
- Please, Jimmy was in Phila., he had time to go work and go back to his wife. Even his manager/buddy wasn't too please about it. BTW, I'm a father and was back to work the next day after I spent the night at the hospital with my wife, like so many hardworking men in this country. Going to work that day didn't affect me in raising my son. Bringing the race card here about African American and lack of fatherhood is worse than the ragging about JRoll taking a mini vacation when the team was struggling. Now that's ridiculous.— EL Zorro
- I'm on board with Rollins maxing his paternity leave- what's a few games compared to a birth in the family? I'd dog him about perennially being the last guy to arrive in Clearwater each spring. That goes to who he is. — jtj06
- Mayberry is a keeper. He certainly adds plenty on the bench with his glove and RH bat. And his cost.— Grazman
- Okay let's keep this as simple as possible, if "Big" John wants to improve then he first needs to stop being so predictable as a hitter....translation, don't just swing at the first pitch strike from time to time, use your big Dave (Sky) Kingman frame and deposit those balls ever so far into the bleachers. Also stop being the nice and polite John Mayberry...it's obvious you are a nice guy, we get it. Just stop having mercy on pitchers and the baseballs the they throw, you are 6ft 6"in for God's sake. I am tired of seeing it. Use your God-given dimensions. Oh yes on defense don't forget it's okay to jump a little bit to catch and rob someone's home run...they will feel bad losing homers and doubles but it's okay John trust me. I know what I'm talking about...it's time to grow up into your tall body.— BCRock
- The ragging on Rollins for taking his allowed paternity leave is ridiculous. Doubly so because the people who do so hate Rollins anyway, so you'd think they'd be happy to have him out of the lineup.— cloudkitt
- I blogged about a week ago that Mayberry has had better swings against righties. He will have to do it for more than a few games. Righties have overwhelmed until recently. He has value for Phills as a platoon player against lefties. If JMJ can hit 280 with power vrs. lefties he can help as Phills are overbalanced with lefty bats. His other tools fielding speed arm are all plus. Perhaps Phills should consider platoon in LF with Pierre. Juan has little or no power but how necessary if he leads off. 290-315 and 35 sb looks good in leadoff spot. No arm but he runs anything catchable down.— don whitman
- I have to comment about the remark someone made about Rollins's paternity leave. Jimmy Rollins, like Ryan Howard, comes from a strong and stable, two-parent family. That's worth noting only because so many African-American households these days do not conform to that description. If Jimmy Rollins wants to take advantage of a contractual provision to start building the kind of family he grew up in -- i.e., one where Dad is around for important moments and events -- then that's entirely his prerogative and we shouldn't be ragging him about it.— Dave Clemens
- I agree that Mayberry is good enough, and cheap enough, to keep around as a reserve. But I think that a major league team on which Mayberry is a starter is a team with a weak outfield. And that is what the Phillies have, at least until D. Brown shows he can do it all year and they acquire another OF who can both hit and field.— Dave Clemens
- I'm OK with Mayberry having a bench position in 2013 but if he's starting, we're in deep trouble. Our unimpressive offense needs two outfielders and a 3B, seeing that Brown apparently will start next season in RF or LF. We don't have a true leadoff hitter any more and there's no reason to think Utley or Howard will revert to 2008 form. So we need offense, and a lot of it, from the positions that will be open. Mayberry's production doesn't come close to what we'll need.— eman
- Actually, Utley as he played last year and this year is an ideal lead off hitter, but we don't have a true manager. Here's how ours makes out the line up "lead off! shortest guy. Clean up! fattest guy..." — jtj06
- bear, I have noticed he's becoming a little bit more aggressive lately early in the count. I guess he knows he'll be there almost everyday and is more comfortable. I think it was a mental thing.— EL Zorro
- One great example, Jimmy is hitting under the Mendoza line in the second half (.194 in 153 PA), was 0 for his last 19 before getting a hit last night, failed to hustle in two occasions in a close game the other day and finds himself back in the line up. OH, before that, he took the 3 days of parternity leave when the team was playing at home. Andres Torres found himself in the same situation when the Phillies played the Mets, spent the night at the hospital with his wife and was back in the dugout the next game. He had a hamstring problem. Nevertheless, he didn't use that excuse to take the mini vacation.— EL Zorro
I think both he and Dominick are gaining the much needed confidence needed to play in the big league. Both are looking more comfortable offensively and in the field. Give them some time. Both are winners. On another note, we must resign JP!!! He makes things happen!— dogman5- Zorro:It's interesting that you mentioned Werth, as Jr. had adopted Werth's approach to seeing maximum pitches at the plate, including letting "strie 1" be almost a constant...If Jr. had Wewrth's batting eye, I'd be all for that, and maybe with more experience he can acquire it...but it HAS held him back...Not asking him to be a "Manny Sanguillen", but he could burn some pitchers more often by jumping on that first fastball offered, something Gary Matthews (his other agent) has also recommended numerous times....Totally agree that if Mayberry has another Stanford alum's mindset (Tiger Woods), he'd be dangerous.— bearsfriend
- The problem with JMJ is that he is too nice. I would have done what Werth did a few years ago when he went to Charlie's office and demanded more playing time. The dude have some serious talent. We know he can catch the ball and when he puts a nice swing together like last night, he does some serious damage. To me, he goes there trying not to mess up, with different batting stances, like bear alluded, because he knows he would be sent to the bench if he doesn't produce right away. Young players don't get a real chance to learn under this manager, unless you're Dom Brown and unless you're a veteran like Ibañez, Rollins or Polanco, you won't see much playing time. Again, that's not an ideal situation. I wonder if he was playing for the Pirates under Clint Hurdle, he would have been given the chance to stay in the line up like the struggling Pedro Alvarez. For JMJ, it's a matter of believing in himself, getting mad a little bit and have a serious talk with the manager.— EL Zorro
- He looks good when he has a good swing on the ball? So does every other Major League Baseball player. He shouldn't be allowed back into Citizens Bank Park next year unless he's wearing an Aramark uniform.— finchman44
- Well, not every hitter in the bigs hits can lace drives that can naturally carry into the seats...BTW, the Aramark comment was not funny. What would be funny would you be seated in Section 142,10 rows back, trying to catch a Mayberry tracer hit at you...Now that would be funny. — bearsfriend
- Wondering if you will be in the lineup from day to day cannot help a player's confidence, and most everyone knows how big of a role confidence plays in performance. I'd like to see him stay a regular the rest of the season, and if he continues to perform well, give him a job in the outfield. But, I also hope they keep Pierre. Hate to see them let go of guys who play the way he does. The team has more than enough 'basejoggers.'— mechfan2240
- 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
- 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
- jtj06:agreed. Good logic.— bearsfriend
- 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
- 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
- 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
- He looks good when he is square on the ball ... wish he would do it more often.
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— Quixote II - 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
- 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
- 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
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