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Phillies' Revere not worried about spring slump

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The first line on the lineup card posted in the Phillies clubhouse on Saturday morning read, "Revere 7." Ben Revere, the team's everyday centerfielder the last two years, was being moved to left field for the first time in three seasons.

The Phillies' Ben Revere reacts to a called third strike during the fifth
inning as the Phillies play the Detroit Tigers in Clearwater, Fla. on
March 10, 2015. (David Maialetti/Staff Photographer)
The Phillies' Ben Revere reacts to a called third strike during the fifth inning as the Phillies play the Detroit Tigers in Clearwater, Fla. on March 10, 2015. (David Maialetti/Staff Photographer)Read more

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The first line on the lineup card posted in the Phillies clubhouse on Saturday morning read, "Revere 7." Ben Revere, the team's everyday centerfielder the last two years, was being moved to left field for the first time in three seasons.

The 26-year-old stayed back from the team's road trip on Friday to practice catching fly balls in the new position. He learned earlier in the morning he would play left and Odubel Herrera would play center Saturday against Toronto.

"If it's permanent, you have to be ready for it," Revere said before a 6-3 loss to the Blue Jays.

A lineup featuring Revere and Herrera utilizes the team's three fastest players: Revere, Herrera, and shortstop Freddy Galvis. Herrera batted seventh Saturday, and Galvis hit second.

Herrera has 14 hits in 36 at-bats this spring. He was acquired this winter in the Rule 5 draft. Manager Ryne Sandberg has been impressed by Herrera's play in center. He spent most of last season as a minor-league infielder with Texas.

"Herrera's arm, I think, plays in center field," Sandberg said. "I think left field allows Ben's arm to play a little bit better."

If the move is permanent, Sandberg could elect to move Herrera to second in the order behind Revere. The only hitch is both are lefthanded, which means the first four batters would hit from the same side.

"It will be dangerous," Revere said. "He's got great speed and a little bit of power. He's a heck of a hitter and having a great spring. With that, having two fast guys on for Chase, Howard, and those guys. We'll definitely be scoring some runs early in the game."

Revere is off to a slow start this spring. He was hitless in his last 10 at-bats before slapping two singles Saturday. He has six hits in 37 at-bats. Sandberg said Revere has been "somewhat of a slow starter." It is something that Sandberg said Revere is aware of and does not want to happen this season. The manager said Revere's swing is just not "quite fine-tuned yet."

"It's going to be fine," Revere said. "I still have two more weeks of it. I'm just getting back into the rhythm of things. I want to go into the last week of spring feeling good and then start the season on a high note."

Revere hit .306 last season to lead the Phillies. The highest average of his career came with surgical screws in his right ankle to help repair a fracture. Doctors removed the screws this winter, and Revere said he is pain-free.

He led off 123 games last season, and his average in those games was seven points higher than his overall mark. Revere walked just 13 times last year, and his on-base percentage was .325, Revere's lowest mark in three seasons.

His batting average as a leadoff hitter (.313) was the highest by 10 points last season among the 16 players who led off at least 100 games. He stole the third-most bases as a leadoff man and recorded the third-most hits. But his on-base percentage ranked 11th, he walked the fewest times, and he scored the third-fewest runs.

"Of course everyone wants a guy that gets a bunch of walks and works the count," Revere said. "But with me, these guys love that a pitcher can come at me, but I still feel good about putting the ball in play, finding hits, and am capable of stealing bags."

How Will the Lineup Look?

Lineup One

1

Ben Revere

CF

2 Grady Sizemore LF

3 Chase Utley 2B

4 Ryan Howard 1B

5 Carlos Ruiz C2

6 Domonic Brown RF

7 Cody Asche 3B

8 Freddy Galvis SS

This seems like the most likely scenario when Ryne Sandberg posts his opening-day lineup on April 6. Revere is almost a lock to bat leadoff. Ruiz batting fifth seems like the best way to break up lefthanded hitters Utley, Howard, and Brown.

Lineup Two

1

Ben Revere

CF

2 Odubel Herrera LF

3 Chase Utley 2B

4 Ryan Howard 1B

5 Carlos Ruiz C

6 Domonic Brown RF

7 Cody Asche 3B

8 Freddy Galvis SS

Herrera will almost certainly make the opening-day roster, but it's unclear whether he will crack the lineup. If he does, he can bat second and allow the Phillies to have their fastest players back-to-back in the order. Herrera has spent most of his time in center field but has played a few games in left.

Lineup Three

1

Ben Revere

CF

2 Freddy Galvis SS

3 Chase Utley 2B

4 Ryan Howard 1B

5 Darin Ruf LF

6 Domonic Brown RF

7 Carlos Ruiz C

8 Cody Asche 3B

By inserting Ruf into the lineup, the Phillies have an opportunity to add some power into the middle of the order. It also gives them a different righthanded bat to split up the lefthanders. This lineup sends Ruiz to the bottom half of the lineup, where he batted 62 percent of the time last season. - Matt Breen

ROSTER CHECK

Here is how the Phillies roster is shaping up with two weeks to go until opening day.

Outfield

Domonic Brown is expected to start in right, and Ben Revere should be in center. Look for Grady Sizemore and Darin Ruf as a potential platoon in left field to start the season. Odubel Herrera will make the team as a reserve outfielder and could play the infield in a pinch. Brian Bogusevic and Jordan Danks are competing with Jeff Francoeur for a possible spot. Danks has a minor-league option remaining, so he offers flexibility.

Infield

Maikel Franco's demotion on Friday assured Cody Asche will be the team's opening-day third baseman. The other positions have long been sealed. The utility infielder looks to be either Cesar Hernandez, Cord Phelps, or Andres Blanco. Hernandez is out of minor-league options. The versatile Phelps, a nonroster invitee, has garnered a lot of playing time this spring.

Catcher

Carlos Ruiz will start his seventh opening day in eight years. His backup is expected to be Cameron Rupp, who is looking to make his first opening-day roster. The Phillies could still acquire a backup catcher when other teams trim their rosters.

Starting Pitcher

Cole Hamels, Aaron Harang, Jerome Williams, and David Buchanan are the expected top four, and, at this point, Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez is likely to win the final spot. Harang missed two starts this spring with a sore back but has said he will be ready.

Bullpen

Jonathan Papelbon will be the closer with the young trio of Justin De Fratus, Jake Diekman, and Ken Giles providing the bridge. Luis Garcia, last season's Phillies minor-league pitcher of the year, has a great chance for one of the final spots, as does Andy Oliver, a Rule 5 draftee. Mario Hollands and Kevin Slowey, who could fill a long-relief role, are also in the mix. - Matt BreenEndText