I’m going to avoid making a corny joke that involves the heat outside and the hot streak of Phil Gosselin, alright? I’ll spare you that. We do need to talk about Phil Gosselin, however, as the veteran utility infielder has currently racked up eight hits over his last eight attempts. The Malvern Prep grad is so locked in at the plate that his teammates have started calling him “barrels”, according to Joe Girardi.
Gosselin – now 31 – has gone 4-for-4 and 5-for-5 at points this pre-season, according to Alex Carr of The Good Phight. The West Chester native secured another hit today in split-squad action, thus bringing his current streak up to eight hits over his last eight at-bats.
Phil Gosselin stands a solid chance of making the Opening Day roster at this point. The Phillies of course started Spring Training (part 1) with a plethora of veteran infielders. Competition seemed steep for Gosselin, but he has stuck around while others have been let go. Logan Forsythe was released a few days ago while Josh Harrison requested and was granted his release yesterday.
The team has also informed Neil Walker that he will make the team, which can be interpreted as another plus in Gosselin’s column. Walker’s defensive capabilities are nowhere near what they once were, with his ability largely limited to corner slots. Phil ‘Barrels’ Gosselin stands to gain from this, as he has logged plenty of time at second base and shortstop over his career. Only Gosselin and Ronald Torreyes have played well at shortstop in recent years, which bodes well for both of them.
The edge with the bat goes to the local guy of course, given how well he has hit in pre-season action. Torreyes has been swinging the bat well himself, but Gosselin has more MLB and Phillies experience. Barrels of course spent time with the big league club last season, slashing .262/.294/.308 over 65 at-bats. The 31 year-old had multiple pinch hitting opportunities and turned in a very respectable slash line with AAA Lehigh Valley once there.
At this point, it’s hard to envision Phil Gosselin not making the team.
RELATED: Examining Phillies non-roster invitees prior to the start of Spring Training