The Philadelphia Phillies could use a bench shakeup to give them better pinch hitting and platoon options. While not their main issue, utility player Dylan Moore has been extremely unproductive at the plate. Moore signed a minor league deal during the offseason and made the team out of spring training. This season Moore has a .000/.214/.000 line with no home runs and no RBI in 13 games. Moore has recorded a -15 wRC+ as well as a .000 BABIP and a .152 wOBA this year. In addition to that Moore has a 0.60 BB/K rate. While Moore has a career best 21.4% walk rate he has a career worst 35.7% strikeout rate. Moore has made two starts this season but that does not excuse the lack of offensive production. No hits in 14 plate appearances is not good.

In recent weeks the Phillies have not been afraid to sit Justin Crawford against left-handed starting pitchers. Notably on April 26 Moore got a start in center field in place of Crawford against Chris Sale. Brandon Marsh also routinely sits against left-handed starting pitchers. Otto Kemp got optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley amidst a flurry of roster moves because of his inability to fill the platoon role with Marsh in left field. Felix Reyes has a .167/.167/.333 line with one home run and one RBI in five games since replacing Kemp. Additionally Reyes has a 29 wRC+ and a .143 BABIP as well as a .215 wOBA in the majors. If the platoons are going to continue the Phillies need a more reliable right-handed bat on the 26-man roster.

Phillies Bench Shakeup
The Need For Change

The Phillies are off to a tough start at 9-19 it is time to make changes. While Moore is the 13th position player the team needs to do better against left-handed pitching. Designating Moore for assignment and calling someone else up could help with that. The Phillies have a .179/.270/.293 line with a 60 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers this season. They are the worst team in MLB against left-handed pitching in all four of those stat categories entering play on April 27. The Phillies have a 0.40 BB/K rate and a .214 BABIP against left-handed pitchers this season. The roster spot Moore currently occupies is going to see more playing time against left-handed pitchers than right-handed pitchers with the Phillies platoons at second base and in left field.

Possible Roster Replacement Options Already On The 40-Man Roster

Christian Cairo, who was added to the 40-man roster before Opening Day, is a potential replacement. Cairo has similar defensive versatility to Moore. In Triple-A, Cairo has a .293/.436/.402 line with two home runs and 11 RBI this season across 27 games. Cairo has a 136 wRC+ and a .352 BABIP as well as a .398 wOBA in the minor leagues. Furthermore Cairo has a 1.10 K/BB rate. Another option is recently acquired outfielder Steward Berroa. Across 14 games since joining the Phillies organization Berroa has a .340/.393/.620 line with three home runs and 12 RBI in Triple-A. Berroa also has a 162 wRC+ along with a .400 BABIP and a .439 wOBA since being acquired by the Phillies. Unlike Cairo, Berroa has previous major league experience as well.

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