As mentioned in this space yesterday, spring training is a time to experiment.
That’s why Rhys Hoskins led off and Carlos Santana hit second. It would be quite a shock if that happened at all this regular season.
Part of that experiment can be attempting to shift positions, like the Phillies did with Cody Asche in 2015. In spring is when that transition began. It gives the players time to get comfortable and appear in game situations with no consequences as the team learns if a shift is possible.
It looks as though the Phillies are testing the waters to see if Tommy Joseph could follow a similar path.
Joseph has exclusively played first base in the majors after coming up through the system as a catcher. The move from behind the dish to first came after numerous concussions. But now with Hoskins, who has also been moved to left, and Carlos Santana ahead of him on the depth chart at first, it makes sense to see how versatile Joseph can be.
Tuesday against Detroit, the Phillies have Joseph in left field, hitting sixth.
The only start in the minors Joseph made aside from first and catcher is third base. He played one game there in 2015 for the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Phillies.
Right-hander Jerad Eickhoff gets the start for Philadelphia in Clearwater at 1 p.m. versus the Tigers. The game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Philadelphia+ (formerly the Comcast Network).
Here’s the full lineup for Tuesday:
DH Odubel Herrera
2B Cesar Hernandez
3B Maikel Franco
1B Rhys Hoskins
SS J.P. Crawford
LF Tommy Joseph
C Cameron Rupp
RF Collin Cowgill
CF Roman Quinn
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