Rule 5 pick Odubel Herrera arrives at Phillies camp

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Odubel Herrera carried his equipment bag into Steve Carlton Field on Monday morning when a woman stopped him. She asked the Phillies prospect if he was a college student. Herrera told her he was part of the team. His first year here, he said.

"You're a player? You're lying," she said.

Herrera, his dreadlocks flowing from under his Phillies cap, laughed and walked toward the batting cage. The 23-year-old Venezuelan is one of the more intriguing players as the Phillies prepare to open spring training. And his status as an unknown should change as Herrera is expected to spend the season in the majors.

The Venezuelan Winter League batting champion joined the club in December as a Rule 5 selection from the Texas Rangers. The Phillies must keep the lefthanded hitter on their 25-man roster all season or he will be offered back to Texas, where Herrera spent six seasons in their minor-league system.

Herrera was mostly an infielder in the Rangers organization. The Phillies plan to try him in the outfield to utilize his speed. He tracked down balls with ease on Monday in right field and received one-on-one instruction at the position after batting practice.

Pitchers and catchers will have their first workout in Clearwater on Thursday, but Herrera and others already have filtered into the Carpenter Complex. Among the players joining him Monday were Cody Asche, Darin Ruf, Cameron Rupp, Jesse Biddle, Jonathan Pettibone, and Justin De Fratus.

Herrera thrived this offseason in the Venezuelan Winter League, winning the league's rookie of the year and MVP awards. He played mostly center field for Tiburones de La Guaira and hit a league-leading .372 with a .988 OPS. Herrera is hitting .339 since May 13 in a combined 475 at-bats between double A and Venezuela.

Phillies president Pat Gillick and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. watched from a perch behind the batting cage as Herrera sprayed balls to the outfield. He hit .321 last season with double-A Frisco, the highest average among Texas League hitters with at least 300 at-bats. Herrera has six weeks to showcase that production. If he's successful, no one will call him a liar.