3 Phillies Spring Training battles and who will win

3) Phillies Spring Training Battle for the Last Spot on the Bench: Dalton Guthrie vs. Kody Clemens

Dalton Guthrie played well in his 14 games for the team in 2022. He slashed .333/.500/.476 in 28 trips to the plate. It was a satisfying result for a guy who batted .302/.363/.476 in the minors. Guthrie has speed and the ability to play several positions in the infield and outfield.

His competition this spring is against newcomer Kody Clemens. Acquired alongside Gregory Soto in the trade with the Detroit Tigers, his 2022 season included much more playing time than Guthrie but with less positive results. The son of Roger batted .145/.197/.308. A bit more powerful with his bat, Clemens is more of an infielder than an outfielder.

It’s that last point which makes this an easier decision for the Phillies. Josh Harrison is making the roster. So is Edmundo Sosa. Those two are versatile players best equipped to play the infield. While Guthrie has played more shortstop than any other position as a professional, he has gotten accustomed to playing center field. While it doesn’t tell the full story, he has yet to commit an error out there in 156 chances in the minors.

Guthrie’s speed and defense make him a more favorable choice over Clemens. The Phillies won’t need a whole lot of offense from the last spot on the bench. What they’ll require is exactly what Guthrie can provide them. He’s the winner in this melee.