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Aaron Altherr, a year later than expected, could force Phillies to think

Even after the Phillies spent $19 million to fortify the corner outfield spots last winter, Aaron Altherr has found regular at-bats in 2017.

The Phillies, at this time last season, started Emmanuel Burriss and Peter Bourjos in the corner outfield spots. They dumped Cedric Hunter to add David Lough. Tyler Goeddel appeared in the lineup once or twice a week. It was supposed to be Aaron Altherr's time; the Phillies resisted acquiring more veteran stopgaps because Altherr had done enough in the final six weeks of 2015 to warrant playing time.

His wrist injury scuttled it. But, even after the Phillies spent $19 million to fortify the corners last winter, Altherr has found regular at-bats in 2017. He has thrived at a time when the Phillies remain noncommittal toward who belongs and who does not.

"I use it as motivation every day, just to show what I can do," Altherr said Sunday, after he struck out three times but homered in the eighth inning. "It doesn't matter if I was a starting outfielder or not. You always have to prove you belong."

The Phillies, as they were a season ago, are 9-9 through 18 games. But they have outscored their opponents by seven runs in 2017. Last season, they were .500 despite being outscored by 23.

They scored 85 runs in their first 18 games, the team's highest output since 2011, when they scored 86 runs in their first 18. A 10-run outburst against Jeremy Guthrie has somewhat skewed the initial numbers. The counter: Twelve of the Phillies' first 18 games were against division favorites Washington and New York.

The outfield production has aided improvement; Altherr is just one part of it. Phillies outfielders in 2016 posted a .677 OPS, the second-worst figure in the last 60 seasons. Only the 1992 outfield — which consisted of Lenny Dykstra, Ruben Amaro Jr., Stan Javier, Wes Chamberlain and Mariano Duncan — was less productive.

The 2017 outfielders, in the small sample size of 18 games, have generated an .852 OPS.

Odubel Herrera has remained a constant offensive presence. Howie Kendrick started well before an injury to his rib cage sent him to the disabled list. He could be sidelined until mid-May. Michael Saunders has yet to homer, and his .295 on-base percentage is less than desirable. Daniel Nava, 34, has been about as valuable as possible in 31 plate appearances as a bench player.

Then, there is Altherr, who could force an interesting dynamic with two or three more weeks of good baseball. He is the youngest outfielder on the roster not named Odubel.

The Phillies have reasons to play Kendrick and Saunders. Both, if healthy and effective, could fetch a mid-level prospect in a July trade. But the benefits of Altherr's growing into an everyday role could outweigh the return on a Kendrick or Saunders trade.

"We like Aaron a lot," Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said. "And we want to see him play. The opportunity existed for us to add the veterans that we did. But all along, we hoped that we'd still be able to find time for Aaron to play."

Altherr, in 2015, opened eyes because of his slugging numbers. He blasted 20 extra-base hits in 161 plate appearances. The injury to his wrist last spring sapped his power. His slugging percentage dropped by 201 points.

He has hit a higher percentage of balls in the air and harder in 2017. Altherr, with the help of hitting coach Matt Stairs, has adjusted his swing. His path is quicker to the ball. Altherr has lowered his hands; the bat now starts on his shoulder.

"Instead of A to B to C, it's more A to C," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "You eliminate this part of your swing and you just go from here to the ball. That's what it looks like he's doing."

But Mackanin has noticed a difference beyond the swing. He equated it to a similar feeling that now emanates from second baseman Cesar Hernandez.

Confidence.

"[Cesar] walks around like he knows he can play here, finally," Mackanin said. "And Altherr is starting to get that look. He is starting to look like he feels he belongs, instead of just hoping. He finally made an adjustment. That's the important thing. And it's hard to get people to make adjustments. It doesn't feel comfortable."

The praise, Mackanin said, should be spread.

"Matt kind of made just a minor adjustment," Mackanin said. "But you always have to give the credit to the player. You get a point across. You can try to tell him what he's doing and what he needs not to do, then it's up to the player to make that adjustment."

It might be a year later than the Phillies had envisioned, but Altherr has a chance to make them think.

"With Howie being down for a few weeks, this is an opportunity," Klentak said. "And from what we've seen in the last few days, Aaron is making the most of it. Hopefully, that will continue."