Phillies Nuggets: The all-random Opening Day lineup
In the lead-up to the 2023 season, Phillies Nation has released two Opening Day lineup projections and also an educated guess of what Rob Thomson’s lineup might look like once Bryce Harper returns from Tommy John surgery.
Today, we’ll have a little fun with a much less serious project.
While the Phillies are the defending National League Champions and project to have one of the deepest lineups in baseball this upcoming season, over the last 23 seasons the Opening Day lineups haven’t always included nine (or 10, in years where the DH was in play) stalwarts.
Here is the all-random Opening Day lineup for the Phillies, dating back to the 2000 season:
Right Fielder: Peter Bourjos
A light hitter with an ability to play above-average defense at all three outfield positions, Bourjos was penciled in as the Opening Day right fielder in 2016 by Pete Mackanin. Bourjos hit seventh in a season-opening loss to the Cincinnati Reds, and played in 123 games for the team that season.
Honorable Mention: Kevin Sefcik, 2000
Center Fielder: Kenny Lofton
One of the elite center fielders of his era, Lofton made six All-Star teams and won four Gold Glove Awards. A decade of his career was spent with the franchise now known as the Cleveland Guardians, but he also had one-year stints with 10 other franchises. Lofton played in 110 games for the Phillies in 2005, and hit a home run in an Opening Day win over the Washington Nationals.
Honorable Mention: Adam Haseley, 2021
Left Fielder: Cedric Hunter
Hunter made a bad Phillies team in 2016 after being invited to Major League Spring Training. Aaron Altherr broke his left wrist in the weeks leading up to the regular season, which opened the door for Hunter to join Odúbel Herrera and the aforementioned Bourjos in the outfield for Opening Day. Hunter would hit .088 in just 13 games with the Phillies.
Honorable Mention: Tony Gwynn Jr., 2014
Catcher: Rod Barajas
Carlos Ruiz would emerge as the starting catcher during the 2007 season, but Barajas was the Opening Day starter behind the plate. In 48 games for the Phillies, Barajas slashed .230/.352/.393. He’s going to be the field coordinator with the Miami Marlins for new manager Skip Schumaker in 2023 after previously serving as the bench coach and interim manager for the San Diego Padres.
Honorable Mention: Andrew Knapp, 2018
First Base: Ty Wigginton
With Ryan Howard out recovering from the torn left achilles that he suffered in Game 5 of the 2011 NLDS, Wigginton got the nod at first base to open up what was eventually a very disappointing 2012 season. Just two years removed from being an All-Star with the Baltimore Orioles, Wigginton homered 11 times, drove in 43 runs and posted a .688 OPS for the 2012 Phillies.
Honorable Mention: Tommy Joseph, 2017
Second Base: Wilson Valdéz
As Chase Utley dealt with multiple knee injuries that prevented him from making his season debut until just before Memorial Day, Valdéz started at second base to open up what would be the winningest regular season in franchise history. Valdéz posted a .634 OPS across 99 games in 2011.
Honorable Mention: Kevin Jordan, 2000
Shortstop: J.P. Crawford
Crawford isn’t necessarily a random player, but the former first-round pick’s tenure with the Phillies is especially forgettable. He hit sixth in Gabe Kapler’s managerial debut in 2018, an 8-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves. Crawford was traded to the Seattle Mariners ahead of the 2019 season, in a deal that netted the Phillies Jean Segura.
Honorable Mention: Desi Relaford, 2000
Third Base: Michael Young
Looking to milk one more run out of the 2007-2011 core, the Phillies acquired Young from the Texas Rangers ahead of the 2013 season. Once one of the best shortstops in the league, Young shifted to third base when the Phillies acquired him. In Charlie Manuel’s final Opening Day lineup, Young hit fifth, between Ryan Howard and Domonic Brown. The Phillies lost 7-5 to the Braves. In what turned out to be the last season of Young’s career, the seven-time All-Star would be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers that summer.
Honorable Mention: Abraham Núñez, 2006
DH: Jay Bruce
During the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, teams were limited to playing against those in their geographic region as the sport looked to stage a season without increasing the spread of COVID-19. The DH was made universal, and Joe Girardi penciled Bruce into the spot for Opening Day, which saw the Phillies lose 5-2 against the Marlins on July 24.
Honorable Mention: Domonic Brown, 2014
Starting Pitcher: Omar Daal
Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the July 2000 deal that saw the Phillies trade away Curt Schilling, Daal got the ball on Opening Day 2001. Daal went 5 1/3 innings in an eventual 13-inning win over the Marlins to kick off a surprisingly successful season.
Honorable Mention: Andy Ashby, 2000
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