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Who is that guy? Herrera makes splash for Phillies

TAMPA, Fla. - Odubel Herrera did not need his translator Wednesday when asked if he thought his play this spring would make the Phillies' decisions a bit tougher when the team trims the roster in a month.

Odubel Herrera runs to third at a full squad practice. (David Swanson/Staff Photographer)
Odubel Herrera runs to third at a full squad practice. (David Swanson/Staff Photographer)Read moreDAVID SWANSON / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

TAMPA, Fla. - Odubel Herrera did not need his translator Wednesday when asked if he thought his play this spring would make the Phillies' decisions a bit tougher when the team trims the roster in a month.

"For sure," Herrera said after a 3-1 win over the New York Yankees at Steinbrenner Field.

The 23-year-old reached base four times, stole three bases and scored two runs. Herrera batted leadoff and played a solid center field, a position he began playing this winter in Venezuela. He took aggressive leads and ran the bases with confidence.

The Phillies selected Herrera in December's Rule 5 draft. He must be kept on the 25-man roster all season or be offered back to Texas.

"Spark plug at the top," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "Great job with his stolen bases to get into scoring position."

Maikel Franco made his first start of the spring. The third baseman drove in Herrera on a single to center in fifth inning. Outfielder Aaron Altherr recorded an RBI in his third straight game when Herrera scored on his single to right in the seventh.

"I feel so great out there and I'm so grateful for the day I had today and I want to keep doing it," Herrera said through a translator.

The Phillies appeared to enter spring training with Ben Revere entrenched as their leadoff hitter and centerfielder. Herrera could make that competition interesting.

Revere batted leadoff 123 times last season, but his on-base percentage was just .332 in those games. The mark is the sixth-lowest among the 16 players who batted leadoff at least 120 times last season. Herrera led off three times Wednesday and reached base each time.

Herrera has played mostly center field since moving this winter from the infield. Sandberg said Herrera can play all three outfield positions. Slotting Herrera in right or left field would give the Phillies the opportunity to have Revere and Herrera - two of their fastest players - in the same lineup.

"We'll find out," Sandberg said. "I'm open-minded about lineups, about who's in the outfield. Second game of spring training. Very open-minded there."

Herrera said his success on the bases comes from advice from first-base coach Juan Samuel.

He slapped a single to left in the seventh inning, his third hit of the game. He then stole second base and tacked on another run.

Yankees pitcher Andrew Miller, off whom Herrera stole two bases in the third inning, was watching from a television in the clubhouse.

He then offered a question that could become moot if Herrera's play continues at Wednesday's pace: "Who is that guy?" Miller asked.

@matt_breen