What are the GCL Nationals doing?

by soccerman0 on Aug 1, 2025 4:20 PM EDT Comment 4 comments

Now I may be a little biased as I am a Derrick Phillips fan, but I just don't understand what the GCL Nationals are doing with him. He is a high ceiling player that is very raw, thus he needs as many AB as he can get (if my logic holds true atleast). There was a log-jam in the outfield until recently when Destin Hood was moved up to Vermont (SS); I figured that this should free up a few AB for Phillips who only had 30 or so at bats on the season. Sure enough, Phillips gets 4 PA on the 30th (playing LF); in that game he did not strikeout, walked once, and hit his first HR of the season. The next day he was benched. Today, in the first game of a double header, Phillips was benched until the 6th when he was sen't in to pinch hit; sure enough, he hit in the winning two runs for the Nationals only to be taken out once again. What is going on here? Any insight would be much appreciated.

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they are

the Nationals…. need more be said?

But honestly, I’m not sure what they’re thinking unless they’re just wanting to see some other players at this time.

by BlueVol03 on Aug 1, 2025 5:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

sometimes

In the complex leagues, it’s not uncommon to see a player listed on a roster and with the team but not playing in game situations. It’s one thing to get a guy to work on his skills in practice, but another thing entirely to tell him to do it in a game. Sometimes players don’t play in games because organizations don’t want them reinforcing the behaviors that they’re trying to change.

My guess is that the Nats are working with him on fundamentals and will expose him to actual playing time as they gain confidence that it’ll be a positive experience for him.

by mrkupe on Aug 1, 2025 5:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think you are right....

Of course Phillips started the 2nd game of the double header today and went 0 for 3 with 1k :(

He is very raw, but I would hope that giving him experience through AB would be the best thing for him. With a month left in the season, time in running short. At least he’s extremely young (18 until the 12st).

by soccerman0 on Aug 1, 2025 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs