Phillies Search High And Low

PHILADELPHIA—The rebuilding Phillies have a handful of young players in the majors and high minors who could eventually form the nucleus of a contender.

For now, the organization must hold back that tide to allow for another year of development. This has translated into opportunities for players overlooked in other systems.

For example, the Phillies’ Opening Day roster included three position players signed as minor league free agents—utility infielders Andres Blanco and Emmanuel Burriss plus outfielder Cedric Hunter—and three others originally procured via the Rule 5 draft.

Philadelphia had previously hit on Rule 5 picks such as Dave Hollins in 1990, Shane Victorino in 2005 and regular center fielder Odubel Herrera in 2015, but the club never had carried two such players at once—until now. Outfielder Tyler Goeddel and lefty reliever Daniel Stumpf both made the club in 2016, despite having no Triple-A time.

However, no newcomer had a better story than the 28-year-old Hunter. A prep star in Georgia, he signed with the Padres in 2006 as a third-round pick. He made the big club in 2011 but received just five plate appearances before returning to minors for the next five seasons.

Hunter signed a minor league deal in January and impressed big league manager Pete Mackanin with his aggressive approach in spring training. His 11th pro season began with a starting assignment in left field.

“I’ve just put everything into these (seasons) since 2011, when I got sent down and never got called back up—until now,” Hunter said.

“I wasn’t ready for the big leagues back then. I didn’t deserve it. I was young and just up there because a couple of guys got hurt and I was on the 40-man roster. I’m a totally different guy now . . . I’m a lot more mature now.”

Hunter collected one hit, a single, during his sip of coffee with the Padres but never got the ball. Five years later, he got his second hit—a home run. This time he got the ball.

PHIL-UPS

• Outfielder Andrew Pullin, a 2012 fifth-round pick, abruptly retired before the season started. He tied for the Florida State League lead with 14 homers last season.

• The Phillies converted middle infielder Angelo Mora to center field at Double-A Reading. He hit .312/.356/.447 in 99 games at high Class A Clearwater and Reading in 2015.