Breaking down Phillies roster spots for center field, bullpen, and bench | Scott Lauber

Before the Phillies’ first spring-training game, manager Joe Girardi gave the 15 or so players who are vying for about 10 spots on the opening-day roster what amounted to two weeks’ notice.

“I’m not going to evaluate them in the first two weeks,” Girardi said on Feb. 26. “That’s for them to get ready to compete. Once we get past the two-week mark, then we have to start evaluating.”

Time’s up, gentlemen.

The 28-game exhibition schedule reaches its midpoint Sunday, when the Phillies face the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, Fla. With two weeks’ worth of games down and two to go, here’s what we know:

Barring injuries or setbacks, 16 players are locks to make the team: starting pitchers Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Zach Eflin; relievers Archie Bradley, Héctor Neris, and José Alvarado; catchers J.T. Realmuto and Andrew Knapp; infielders Rhys Hoskins, Jean Segura, Didi Gregorius, and Alec Bohm; outfielders Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen; and utilitymen Scott Kingery and Brad Miller, who tweaked his rib cage during warmups Saturday. Beyond them, Matt Moore and Chase Anderson are sitting pretty as the presumptive fourth and fifth starters.

That leaves center field, five seats in the bullpen, and depending on who wins the center-field job, two or three bench spots unclaimed.

Some insight into where those races stand after Girardi’s two-week grace period:

Odúbel Herrera went 4 for 9 with a home run through three exhibition games, perhaps setting the pace in a competition that Girardi labeled “up for grabs” after Adam Haseley bowed out with a groin strain.

But Kingery remains the logical choice.

Think about it: Eight months ago, the Phillies committed to Kingery at second base. And although he was one of the least productive players in the majors last year (.159/.228/.283, 35 strikeouts in 113 at-bats), most team officials and evaluators give him a mulligan after overcoming COVID-19 and coping with back and shoulder injuries.

Herrera is seeking a second chance after his May 2019 arrest on charges of simple assault and knowingly causing bodily injury to his 20-year-old girlfriend. But he isn’t on the 40-man roster, has barely played in the last 22 months, and is receiving less public support from some teammates (notably Harper) than others.

Unless Herrera goes on a two-week tear at the plate, the Phillies can rationalize sending the former All-Star to the alternate site for more at-bats and biding their time before making another 40-man decision.

» READ MORE: Phillies say Odúbel Herrera’s place on team will be determined by his play, not his past

Roman Quinn, the opening-day center fielder last year, also remains in the mix. But like Kingery, he needs to strike out less, reach base more, and put his track-star speed to better use.

There hasn’t been a hotter hitter in camp than Mickey Moniak, characterized repeatedly by Girardi as “interesting.” But it feels like the former No. 1 overall pick is a dark horse because he’s gotten fewer at-bats against lower-quality pitching than the other candidates.

Kingery still must win the job over the next two weeks. But now is also the time to give him another shot at playing every day at one position. If he doesn’t capitalize, it’s back to the bench in a utility role, especially with Haseley due back in April.

There are multiple considerations here, from spring-training performance and prior experience to roster flexibility and the preservation of depth.

Connor Brogdon, Sam Coonrod, and lefty JoJo Romero have electric stuff but also minor-league options that enable them to be sent down without clearing waivers. David Hale, on the other hand, is out of options.

Brandon Kintzler, Tony Watson, and Héctor Rondón are rich with big-league experience. But they agreed to minor-league contracts and have March 24 opt-out clauses if they aren’t added to the 40-man roster.

Then there are Vince Velasquez and Spencer Howard, the likely runners-up to Moore and Anderson who could potentially fill a multi-inning relief role.

» READ MORE: Phillies' new-look bullpen all about high velocity and ‘creating an attitude’

Girardi has spoken highly of Kintzler and Watson, in particular. After Brogdon’s lights-out finish to last season, the Phillies are eager to see more. The guess here is that all three make the team.

Given how sparingly Girardi used Hale last season, the Phillies may risk losing him in favor of getting Romero or Coonrod on the active roster and freeing up a 40-man spot for Kintzler or Watson. And with seven of the first 13 games against the New York Mets’ lefty-leaning lineup, it might help to have a third lefty in the bullpen. Edge: Romero.

The Phillies could preserve all-important rotation depth by making Velasquez a long man and stashing Howard at the alternate site. Velasquez also hasn’t ruled out getting traded before opening day. He could use a fresh start, the Phillies would save nearly $4 million, and Howard could remain stretched out in the bullpen.

Assuming Realmuto can get up to speed after breaking his right thumb last month, Knapp will occupy one bench spot. Another will belong to Miller, if healthy, a left-handed hitter with pop and infield/outfield versatility.

That leaves two or three vacancies, depending on Kingery’s role.

Quinn is out of options, and despite his luckless injury history and inconsistency at the plate, he likely would be claimed off waivers because of his elite speed. It’s a skill that the Phillies could use off the bench.

» READ MORE: Inside the Phillies' plan to improve their infield defense | Scott Lauber

They also want to find a spot for non-roster outfielder Matt Joyce, who signed a minor-league contract last month and has been successful as a left-handed pinch hitter.

Ideally, the final spot would go to a right-handed hitter. If Kingery is in center field, infielder C.J. Chatham, acquired from the Boston Red Sox in January, is a potential bench candidate. Herrera, a left-handed hitter, probably isn’t.

The Phillies could also opt for a ninth reliever or pull off an 11th-hour trade for a right-handed bench bat.

After all, a lot can happen in two weeks.