We’ve all been assuming that prospect Domonic Brown is going to replace Jayson Werth for the Phillies in right field this season. According to Todd Zolecki, though, Brown’s still got some work to do:
↵↵↵It sounds like a three-man race, with Ben Francisco, Domonic Brown and John Mayberry Jr. in the hunt. Ross Gload also could compete for playing time, although manager Charlie Manuel has questioned Gload’s ability to play defensively in the outfield for extended periods of time. But it is an open competition. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has told Francisco he has a chance to win the everyday job, although many suspect Francisco and Brown will platoon to start the season.
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See, that’s why Charlie Manuel is a big-league manager and you’re not. He’s sharp enough to notice that Ross Gload’s not an every-day right fielder.
↵Seriously, the obvious move here is to give Brown most and perhaps all of the job. The only catch is that he’s six or seven months removed from doing anything exciting, having struggled with the Phillies late last summer and then again in the Dominican Winter League.
↵Which means he probably has to post good numbers in March, or be returned to Triple-A. But if he’s still got the talent that made him a top prospect, he’ll hit well in March or he’ll hit well in Triple-A, and take his place with the Phillies before June. This will all work out, eventually. Probably.