Jean Segura down, Scott Kingery in

2018 Statistics: (147 G) .226/ .267/ .338/ .605, 55 R, 8 HR, 35 RBI, 10 SB

2019 Statistics: (11 G) .524/ .583/ .857/ 1.440, 4 R, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1 SB

With Jean Segura out of the lineup after suffering a mild left hamstring strain while running the bases on Tuesday, Kingery got the start at SS and took Segura’s spot in the lineup batting 2nd. Facing Mets RHP Zach Wheeler, Kingery took advantage of his opportunity going 1 for 4 hitting his second HR of the season his second in consecutive games after going 3 for 4 with 5 RBI. While Segura might only miss a few games, a new injury occurred to OF Odubel Herrera and while the severity of the injury is unknown it highlights the opportunity Kingery has available for increased playing time due to his ability to play multiple positions. Cesar Hernandez is also struggling only hitting .228 so far on the season and could concede playing time to Kingery who needing 8 more appearances at 2B to qualify, making him 2B, 3B, SS and OF eligible.

Kingery seems to have changed his approach this offseason after striking out 126 times while drawing only 24 BB in 147 G last season. A small sample size but he has lowered his K% from 26 to 12.5, increased BB/K ratio from .190 to .333 due to a change in his swing reducing his launch angle from 16.8 to 7.7 leading to a rise in his XBA from .237 to .284 and XSLUG from .402. While his hard-hit rate has declined from 30.7 to 22.2%, Kingery is making more contact with a small increase in barrel % from 5.1 to 5.6%. It appears Kingery has stopped selling out for more power, changing his swing to lower his K rate and improving his plate discipline. With a sprint speed that ranks in the 96th percentile, an increased OBP could lead to more steal attempts, becoming more of a 15 HR / 30 SB player than the projected 20 HR / 20 SB.

Kingery has a strong history of production in the minors with a .284 AVG/ .341 OBP/ .437 SLG/ .778 OPS, 34 HR/ 70 SB in 329 G, including a breakout in 2017 posting .304 AVG with 26 HR/ 29 SB in 132 G. Making him a common break out candidate last season in drafts, who the Phillies thought enough of to sign to a 6 year 24 million dollar contract in his rookie year. After struggling last season, Kingery was an afterthought in drafts but could be looking at an expanded role with Cesar Hernandez struggling and injuries to Jean Segura and Odubel Herrera opening up playing time. While more of a super utility player than everyday starter Kingery can be a useful multi-positional power/ speed option in 12 team leagues and a starter in deep leagues.

2019 Projections: .265 – .275, .300 – .310/ .350 – .360/ .700 – .710, 10 HR/ 20 SB

Career vs. LHP .227/ .259/ .367/ .626 (128 AB) vs. RHP .243/ .290/ .359/ .649 (345 AB)

Roster in 12 team leagues as super utility bench option and as a starter deep leagues