PHILADELPHIA — In the next few days, the Phillies will reveal one of their most important, yet understated offseason acquisitions. This is Whit Merrifield, identified on the final roster as their only versatile player.
Merrifield is a low-profile addition who has consistently performed well throughout his MLB career, which started later than usual. The infielder-outfielder was picked in the ninth round by Kansas City in 2010 and made his MLB debut with them in the 2017 season at age 27. The next year, he made the first of three All-Star teams.
Merrifield achieved a .300 batting average in 2018-19, with the latter being the first of two seasons in which he played in all 162 games. The career .284 hitter was an All-Star with the Toronto Blue Jays last year.
Merrifield, now 35, is excited to begin after earning this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“It’s just a thrill to be on a team that’s competing for a World Series – legitimately,” Merrifield said before the game. “This is special to me because it’s close to home. I’m an East Coast guy from North Carolina. This clubhouse is special. It’s an organization that’s highly respected by players around the league so to be able to be a part of it, it’s special. Especially seeing how the fans back this team. I don’t know if there’s many better opportunities than this.”
Phillies manager Rob Thomson will have no trouble finding a role for Merrifield in the first full month of a season with just two off days.
“Before we even signed Whit I talked to him on the phone and he said (he’s) typically a guy who works his way into the lineup,” Thomson said. “I like that attitude. We’ll see how it goes. He’s certainly had a great spring training. He’s had great at bats and played really well in left, second and third.”
Thomson admitted there’s a pretty good chance Merrifield will play the next two games against the Braves because the Phillies are scheduled to face left-handed pitchers. Thomson said he was elated to have enough depth to use a guy like Merrifield, who bats right-handed, to pinch-hit against lefties and even right-handed pitchers. On a roster with light-hitting outfielder Johan Rojas and another in Brandon Marsh coming off a knee injury, that’s a hot commodity. Merrifield has a different take on pinch-hitting.
“I think the whole left-right thing is the most overblown thing about hitting that there is,” Merrifield said. “I think it’s complete nonsense. I think if you’re a hitter when the ball comes in, you hit it. I think people get labelled as right-left, and when you tell a player he’s a lefthanded hitter and that he can’t hit lefties, he starts believing it because he’s getting pinch hit against lefties. To me it’s kind of nonsense and I think my splits kind of back it up. I mean, there’s lefties that I don’t want to face and there’s righties that I’d love to face. So, the left-right thing to me is not a factor.”
With a ton of games ahead that Thomson so aptly said creates a spring training type of atmosphere, Merrifield is about to make his impression on Phillies fans.
"It's good to have players who can move around and substitute for others when we have a lot of games in a row," Merrifield said. "But the season is long and a lot of things happen. I think my role will be more important than people expect."
The Phillies officially agreed to a one-year contract with Merrifield, including an option for $8 million guaranteed. If Merrifield returns for a second year, there are bonuses that bring the total value to $16.6 million.
• • •
Thomson understands how challenging it can be to play at Citizens Bank Park.
Braves manager Brian Snitker also knows how tough it can be, as he made arrangements for his family to stay away from Philly on opening day.
Snitker expressed frustration during spring training about the hostile treatment directed at his wife and Atlanta friends when the Braves faced the Phils in the playoffs. He noted that Citizens Bank Park had the most unwelcoming crowd.
Thomson smiled when asked if he appreciated that.
"Definitely," Thomson said. "I don't want anyone to get hurt, but I enjoy the atmosphere."
• • •
NOTES >> Marsh’s two-run homer in the fifth inning, breaking a tied game, marked the first opening-day home run of his four-year career. … Despite critics saying the Phillies have only slightly improved defensively, third baseman Alec Bohm made an outstanding play to prevent a hit, and first baseman Bryce Harper made a diving catch to deny an extra base hit in the first inning. … The attendance on opening day was 44,452, a sellout.
