Cedric Hunter an Early Feel-Good Story

On January 12th, Phillies general manager Matt Klentak made what seemed to be an uneventful free agent signing when he inked outfielder Cedric Hunter to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Hunter had been a 3rd round choice of the San Diego Padres back in the 2006 MLB Amateur Draft out of a Georgia high school. 

He rose slowly through the Friars' farm system, and finally received his first big league shot at the start of the 2011 season.

Over the Padres' first seven games that season, Hunter appeared in six of them, but did not start a single game. 

He went 1-4 with a run scored in those seven games, including his first Major League hit on April 5th, 2011 as a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the 6th inning against San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Guillermo Mota.

But those seven games would prove to be the extent of Hunter's big league career.

Phillies Should Stand Pat in the Outfield in 2016

The projected right fielder, Aaron Altherr, went down with a left wrist injury suffered last week. 

He will miss anywhere from four to six months, which means that he will be out for most, if not all, of the coming 2016 season.

There has been speculation from a number of sources, most notably MLB insider Jayson Stark, that the Phillies are keeping their eyes open for possible corner outfield additions.

Jayson Stark 

✔@jaysonst

Another thing we mentioned on the podcast: Phillies looking for a veteran OF with Altherr out. Willing to take on $.https://twitter.com/Josh_Macri/status/709755413303058432 …

11:03 AM - 15 Mar 2016

 
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While the addition of some “veteran OF” would not necessarily be a bad idea, it is my opinion that the addition of any outfielder at this point is not necessary, and might in fact prove detrimental under the current Phillies circumstances.

Whether you agree with or like the term “tanking” in regards to the Phillies 2016 season plans, the fact remains that this is at best a 2nd division team, and at worst once again one of the worst teams in baseball.

What the Phillies need more than anything else right now is to fully evaluate as much of their in-house talent as possible.