The Phillies are known to take a patient approach with its prospects, which often leads to the debate among fans as to whether it’s better for a 20-something-year-old to mash in the minors knowing a call-up likely isn’t coming regardless or to give that kid a taste of the majors to develop on the fly.
Nick Williams, who slugged his way to a .308 average with 13 homers in the six weeks leading up to his eventual call-up over the weekend, hasn’t looked out of place in his brief time up as he currently rides a five-game hitting streak.
Perhaps his success will increase the chances of another call-up: second baseman Scott Kingery.
The 23-year-old has absolutely mashed Triple-A pitching since his promotion from Reading. In nine games entering Wednesday, Kingery is batting .361 with eight RBI and four homers. This coming after a .313 average with 44 RBI and 18 home runs in 69 Double-A games this season.
Meanwhile, the Phillies second base situation hasn’t been anything to get excited about as of late. Cesar Hernandez was having a fine campaign until an oblique injury struck, one that will sideline him for a few more weeks at the very least. That’s given Ty Kelly some shots at second.
Kelly is batting .193 in 35 games played. Howie Kendrick, too, has seen some work in Hernandez’s absence, but he can easily move elsewhere.
It’s time for Kingery to make the jump to the highest level. It may only be nine games at Triple-A, but he’s done nothing but been the best player on the field each night.
It’d give this team a jolt in the arm along with the impact that Williams already has had on the team. For a team that sits at 26 wins and in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft, why not promote a kid who has done more than enough to deserve it?
