Phillies utility player Scott Kingery was once a promising prospect, is now a dark horse pick to make the final roster.
The 29 year-old Kingery is in the final season of his six-year, $24 million contract signed in March 2018.
He struggled in 2018, hitting just .226 with 8 home runs and 35 RBI in 147 games.
In 2019, Kingery hit for a .258 batting average with 19 home runs, 55 RBI and 15 stolen bases in 126 games.
In the past three years, Kingery has struggled massively at the plate. He has not fared any better at Triple-A , where he hit just .230.
From 2020-2022, Kingery combined for a .144 batting average and three home runs in the majors. Kingery has been a bust. He’s been a massive failure.
When he signed his deal in March 2018, he became the first baseball player ever to sign a Major League deal without ever having stepped foot on a Major League diamond.
Kingery’s defensive talent is still there, but he is such a liability at the plate that he has become practically unplayable.
After his horrible three-year stretch, Kingery might have finally found his swing again. He has been raking in spring training thus far, hitting .462 with a home run, steal, and eight runs scored across 11 games.
The hot bat does not guarantee Kingery a roster spot, but he is making a case for himself. He is battling it out with Edmundo Sosa, Darick Hall and Jake Cave.
Phillies utility player Scott Kingery. Photo courtsey Of Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
