Skip to content
Phillies
Link copied to clipboard

When Endy Met Charlie

Rule 5 pick Ender Inciarte making an impression on Charlie Manuel.

Ender Inciarte hasn't played a professional game above Class A, and therefore, entered camp as a long shot to break camp with the Phillies.

But the Rule 5 centerfielder has impressed as the Phils enter their second full week of exhibition games. Inciarte, starting in center field in the home half of Sunday's split squad, went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Inciarte, 22, fueled the Phils offense in the third inning when he single, stole second base and then scored from second base on a Yuniesky Betancourt base hit. Inciarte deftly slid headfirst and away from the tag of Toronto catcher Henry Blanco on the play.

He also showed off a strong arm in center field throughout the game.

Needless to say, Manuel likes the kid. After Sunday's game, Manuel recalled the day last month when he first me Ender Inciarte.