Phillies' Aaron Altherr showing progress from last year
In an almost similar number of at-bats from last year, Phillies outfielder Aaron Altherr has shown dramatic improvement. He entered Friday leading the team in home runs and RBIs.
Phillies outfielder Aaron Altherr is approaching the number of at-bats he totaled all of last season, and the difference has been significant.
Altherr began last season on the 60-day disabled list after suffering a torn tendon in his left wrist while diving for a ball in spring training. He underwent surgery on March 9 and didn't make his regular season debut until July 28.
Altherr, 26, hit .197 in 198 at-bats last season. Entering Friday's game against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, he was hitting .281 with team highs in both home runs (11) and RBIs (36) in 192 at-bats. He was eighth among National League outfielders with an .897 OPS.
"I have been more relaxed at the plate," Altherr said before Friday's game.
He said working with first-year hitting coach Matt Stairs has been a major benefit.
"I have a new approach to my swing," said Altherr, who made his Major League debut three years ago Friday, on June 16, 2014, by going 0 for 1 in a pinch-hitting situation against Atlanta.
It's a swing that he has cut down.
"It is shorter now, which produces better results," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "If he continues staying short to the ball, going right to the ball like he has been doing, he is going to be fine, and I think he will have a heck of a year."
The fact that he has been healthy is the biggest key. The other was that Altherr, with his new swing, saw immediate success in spring training, when he hit .303 with four home runs and 11 RBIs and a .986 OPS in 66 at-bats.
"Doing well in spring training helped with my confidence going into the regular season," Altherr said. "I am glad I have been able to get such great help" from Stairs."
Velasquez update
Righthander Vince Velasquez, who was placed on the disabled list on May 31 with a right flexor strain, is progressing at a moderate pace.
"We are not going to rush him," Mackanin said. "We want to make sure he is 100 percent."
According to Mackanin, Velasquez threw from 90 feet on Friday and is scheduled for 120 feet on Sunday and a bullpen session on Thursday.
Pitching tidbits
The Phillies won't be dismayed when they miss seeing Arizona righthander Zack Greinke, who is 7-1 with a 2.89 ERA over his last 10 starts. ,.. Against the Phillies, Greinke has a career record of 7-1 with a 2.54 ERA in 10 games, including nine starts. … Jerad Eickhoff (0-7, 5.09 ERA) will pitch for the Phillies on Saturday, with Ben Lively (1-1, 3.00) going on Sunday. … Arizona will pitch righthander Zack Godley (2-1, 2.44) on Saturday and all-star candidate lefthander Robbie Ray (7-3 2.62) on Sunday. … Eickhoff's last win came on Sept. 21, an 8-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
