Gload positioned to fly solo as top Phillies bench bat

Last season, Ross Gload overthrew Greg Dobbs as the top left-handed bat off the Phillies’ bench, and that is exactly where he should stay.

With the Phillies searching for a solution in right, a handful of names have been thrown into the mix. Dom Brown and Ben Francisco are the most prevalent suggestions to replace Jayson Werth, but second-year Phillie Ross Gload has also garnered the occasional mention. From a strictly offensive perspective, Gload would be an ideal veteran lefty to pair with Francisco as part of a right field platoon. The nine-year pro hit .282 with an .818 OPS against right-handers last season, and he puts the ball in play—a valued asset in a K-heavy lineup like the Phillies’. In 138 plate appearances last season, Gload whiffed just 15 times.

But defensively, the Phils would be making a sacrifice by running Gload out to right. He doesn’t run or range particularly well and his arm is well below average for a major league right fielder. He hasn’t logged over 100 innings on the outfield grass since his 2004 campaign with the White Sox, and at 35, expect less.

Moreover, the Phillies need Gload to focus on the task at hand, and that is to provide the kind of boost Dobbs once gave them. It’s not a task that should be taken lightly. The Phillies lived and died by their bench in back-to-back postseason appearances in '08-09, experiencing both the highs and lows. Staying locked in as a pinch hitter takes razor focus. Although anything can happen in Spring Training, the Phillies appear to be set up to carry only one lefty-hitting veteran on their bench. For the last three seasons, they’ve carried at least two. In 2008, they had Dobbs, Matt Stairs and Geoff Jenkins at various points. In '09, Stairs and Dobbs filled those spots, but struggled. Last season, Gload and Dobbs shared the role until Dobbs worked himself out of the picture.

For what it’s worth, Gload’s performance at the plate suffers when he’s in the outfield. A career .283 hitter, Gload has an average of .223 in 277 plate appearances while in the lineup as an outfielder. Though Dobbs was awful at the plate last year, and finished his Phillies career 15-for-109 over two seasons of pinch hitting, the slack will need to be picked up by someone. Gload is the answer to that problem, not the one in right field.

- Written for Beerleaguer by Matt Grassie

Comments

[lorecore]

although they were usually a result of a double switch or a late game replacement, Schiender's lefty-ness did come in handy a few times last year.

Schiender matched Gload's OPS vs RHP with a .271/.381/.439 slasline in 127 PA. (really, .381 OBP vs RHP - would have never guessed).

So even though the backup catcher rarely pinch hits, he still gives our bench some flexibility vs opposing teams if they waste their LHP on Gload/meat of the order.

[NEPP]

Gload can also spell Ryno like he did last year...if Ryno doesn't stay 100% healthy that is.

Otherwise, having him in RF was like having Stairs out there.

[Bob]

Good summary, with which I agree. Staying sharp day to day as a pinch hitter is a skill set in itself, and it is the skill Gload needs to stay most focused on. Not that he should leave his glove at home, of course.

[bay_area_phan]

From last thread: "My favorite mvptommyd angle: he played baseball in college, therefore, he knows more than you."

I actually thought of incorporating that angle into my medical post, but I concluded that it might just be too obtuse for anyone to get. Apparently not.

[GM-Carson]

I could see Delwyn Young making the squad and he's a switch hitter.

[donc]

I just have a strong feeling that if we keep Blanton we are going to be very glad we did. I wouldn't be a Phillies fan if I didn't think that way.

[NEPP]

I think we'd be happier if we keep Blanton. One of the Big 4 will go down with an injury...there's a decent shot that 2 of them will too based on their ages and injury histories. Having a guy like Blanton around would go a long way towards stabilizintg the lineup.

[Cipper]

Did Mayberry play winter ball and how well did he play if he did? Is he not being considered in the mix for RF at all?

[DPatrone]

Was valdez's contract renewed? What's his salary?

[NEPP]

Valdez is making around league minimum I believe. I dont recall the exact amount. I'd guess $410-450K if he makes the club. If he doesnt make the club, he'll get a minor-leageu salary.

[Will Schweitzer]

Did Sweeney not catch on anywhere?

[donc]

Cipper: If you think Mayberry is better than Francisco then Mayberry should be in the mix. I don't get the feeling the Phillies think he is. This has got to be RFD's make or break year. I would expect him to be the insurance policy in AAA, just like last year. Personally, I expect very little of him. He just doesn't look like a major leaguer to me.

[johnnyd]

Agree on the Blanton comments - a good fifth starter. As far as right field is concerned, I can't remember starting a season with a position in such limbo. Spring training will be revealing.

- "Danys Baez will suffer a phantom injury because he stinks."

[Cipper]

I'm just wondering because it's just spoken as if its a forgone conclusion that Mayberry wont be in the mix. I don't think he's better than Francisco, its just that when I think of Francisco playing the field, I always replay the line drive to right field in which he dove for it to catch it in the air. Problem was, he was easily 15 feet from the ball.

[J. Weitzel]

Valdez will make $560,000, according to the DN.

[EastFallowfield]

Yo, newer thread