Ben Revere knows Phillies offense will need to step things up

Ben Revere is hoping to add some elements to his game. The speedy, slap hitter has been working on driving the ball in the off-season.

“That’s part of what I’m hoping to do,” Revere said. “I’d like to hit the ball into gaps and add an extra dimension to what I do. It would help us. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

The Phillies offense, which struggled to score runs last season, figures to be at a deficit after the trades of two of its top forces at the plate, Jimmy Rollins and Marlon Byrd.

“We’re going to have to pick up the slack,” Revere said. “Those two guys took a lot of runs with them. But I’m going to try to up my game. I’m feeling stronger. I think I can hit some gaps this year and run. I would like to turn some of the singles I hit into doubles and some doubles into triples.”

Revere, who stole 49 bases last season, believes he’ll have a big season on the base paths. “I had the screws taken out (of his ankle) and I feel great. I’m moving as well as ever. I’m feeling good and I want to be more aggressive than ever on the bases and at the plate.”

This would make for a different Revere, who has been instructed to hit the ball on the ground throughout his major league career.

“It’s true,” Revere said. “It’s been mostly about hitting the ball down and using my speed but I’m a little stronger and I’m going to try to put the ball in the air more. I’m not talking about trying to hit home runs but hit line drives that find that gap.”

Revere is also working on his center field play.

“I’m working on running the best routes possible,” Revere said. “I’m trying to get better every day and when I look around here, everyone is trying to get better. You look at him (Ryan Howard) and I have a feeling he is going to go out there and show you what he can really do. And then you have Dom-dawg, if he stays healthy watch out. If things break right, we’re going to surprise people.”