The team has gotten a boost in their lineup lately with J.T Realmuto hitting much, much better. Prior to Saturday’s game, Realmuto had been hitting .331/.362/.441 with two home runs and 16 RBI since June 1. Squish those dates together even further and those numbers get even more impressive (.381/.381/.571 in 63 July plate appearances). He’s figured something out and has been every bit as important to the lineup as the others that have started hitting, only for less impactful reasons.
Which brings us to our question of the day: with Realmuto hitting this well, does it lessen the need the Phillies have to add a bat to the roster at the trade deadline? We can probably all agree that upgrading the outfield offense is still something the team should be leaning into, mostly because they have gotten very little from left and center field. However, having Realmuto hitting well does lengthen the lineup is a substantial way. Now, instead of teams fearing only the top four guys, they have to account for someone else in the bottom half of the lineup.
Still, adding another bat is never a bat thing, particularly when you consider how well they hit in the last two playoff series they’ve played in.