Kingery Hopes To Make Impression On Phillies

Scott Kingery blasted a home run off Aaron Nola Thursday in live batting practice in Clearwater, Fla.

This shouldn’t come as a total surprise.

After all, Kingery’s potential was so strong that the Philadelphia Phillies signed him to a six-year, $24 million deal before he ever played one inning in Major League Baseball.

Now he’s attempting a comeback as he enters the final year of that deal.

Kingery is not currently on the Phillies’ 40-man roster.

“He’s shortened his stroke,” manager Rob Thomson told reporters. “He’s worked a lot with (hitting coach Kevin Long) in Arizona all winter. He’s getting on top of the ball and hitting more line drives, making more contact.

"We know how talented this guy is. He can play anywhere on the diamond. He can run. He can steal bases. He just got away from his swing at one point. He looks like we’re getting him back close to where he was. That home run today was pretty impressive. I know it’s BP, but it’s moving forward, for sure.”

Kingery has the ability to play multiple infield positios plus center field. The Phillies have been working out Edmundo Sosa as a potential backup to Brandon Marsh in center.

There could be a role for Kingery if he can regain his confidence offensively.

After appearing in 273 games in 2018 and ’19, Kingery has totaled 52 games over the past three seasons.

Kingery proved to be valuable by playing six different positions in the field.

Along the way, he had shoulder surgery and had a difficult time with COVID during the '20 season.

Kingery really has nothing to lose. If he plays well through spring training, he might be able to help with bench depth.

The Phillies saw plenty of talent when they signed him to that initial deal. It’s up to Kingery now to prove that the Phillies were right.