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Cristian Pache’s defense made him worth a flier for Phillies, who think they can help him as a hitter

Pache is expected to join the Phillies before Saturday’s game against the Rangers. Dalton Guthrie is likely to be optioned.

The Phillies like the defense of their new center fielder Cristian Pache, but his hitting needs some work.
The Phillies like the defense of their new center fielder Cristian Pache, but his hitting needs some work.Read moreFrank Gunn / AP

ARLINGTON, Texas — It’s easier to belly up to the blackjack table when your friend is good at counting cards, which helps explain a little about why the Phillies are taking a flier on Cristian Pache.

Pache came to the majors in 2020 as a touted prospect. But in 332 plate appearances, he has batted only .156/.205/.234. He was traded once already, and that was before the Phillies scooped him up Wednesday night from Oakland for minor-league reliever Billy Sullivan.

» READ MORE: Cristian Pache is a big name who gives the Phillies a small upgrade in a marginal role

”He has struggled offensively in his career,” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Thursday before opening day. “But if anybody has a club that can hopefully help him in being receptive to things, it’s us with Kevin Long because he’s an outstanding hitting coach.”

Long has as much input in the Phillies’ decision-making as possibly any hitting coach in baseball. Dombrowski said he didn’t consult Long before pulling off the trade for Pache, but Long has already dived into video of Pache’s at-bats.

Regardless, Pache’s greatest value to the Phillies is his elite outfield defense. And the Phillies may utilize him as a late-game replacement for Kyle Schwarber or Nick Castellanos.

Pache also figures to start in center field against tough left-handed pitching. Brandon Marsh is expected to play most of the time, but it’s worth noting that Marsh batted .188/.226/.260 in 105 plate appearances last season against lefties.

”Even if he doesn’t hit a lot, we just think he’s a help for us because of the defense that he plays,” Dombrowski said. “Right now, the big key is that we know he’s an outstanding defensive outfielder, so, for us, he’s a real good complement to what we have with our ballclub.”

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Dombrowski said the Phillies had been looking to add a righty-swinging center fielder since they traded Matt Vierling to Detroit in January. They even tried out slick-fielding infielder Edmundo Sosa in center field in spring training.

Reserve outfielder Dalton Guthrie broke camp with the team in the backup role to Marsh and was included on the opening-day roster but was optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley after the game. Pache is expected to join the Phillies before Saturday’s game against the Rangers.