Phillies spring training primer: Outfielders

(Age on opening day in parentheses.)

Aaron Altherr (26): It would be unfair to judge him based on a two-month span after wrist surgery, but Altherr's chance at an everyday job appears to be lost. He can still be a valuable fourth outfielder.

Dylan Cozens (22): One of the more fascinating characters in the 2017 season. Will his prodigious power numbers translate to triple A?

Tyler Goeddel (24): The former Rule 5 pick needs at-bats, but where will he find them at Lehigh Valley with Cozens, Roman Quinn, and Nick Williams in the outfield?

Odubel Herrera (25): No, his second half did not match his first half, especially when it came to patience at the plate. It was still productive. Herrera is hard to explain because there are few players like him.

Howie Kendrick (33): His batting average on balls in play was .301 last season; it never dipped below .338 in the five previous seasons. He may have been unlucky in 2016. Or it was the start of his decline.

Roman Quinn (23): Barring injury elsewhere, Quinn will start at triple A. The Phillies have hedged on his ability to be an everyday player in the majors.

Michael Saunders (30): His 558 plate appearances last season were a career high. He turned 30 in November, and the Phillies are wishing for three good months.

Nick Williams (23): He struck out 74 times and walked just twice in his final 276 plate appearances (66 games) with triple-A Lehigh Valley. That is a problem that must be corrected.

NON-ROSTER INVITEES

Daniel Nava (34): His best days are behind him, but Nava was always coveted for his on-base skills. He could be the fifth outfielder.

Cam Perkins (26): His detractors would say Perkins does not do one thing well; he's just average across the board. That has kept him in the minors despite a career .281/.330/.413 line.

Andrew Pullin (23): The crowded outfield at triple A likely will push Pullin to Reading for a repeat trip. He had a .952 OPS there in 46 games last season.

Chris Coghlan (31): As a bench player who exclusively faced righties, Coghlan was a valuable midseason pickup for the 2016 Cubs. He could be the Phillies' fifth outfielder.