Jenkins Might Have A Big Bench Season
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Fri, February 20, 2009 02:24 PM | Comments: 16
Issues, Posts
A lot of Phillies had fortunate seasons last year, helping to guide them to the championship. But a handful of players didn’t perform to their level. We know Jimmy Rollins wasn’t quite himself, but that was mostly his ankle injury talking. Once he seemed healed (late-season), he was on fire, and helped the Phils get in and win. Carlos Ruiz had a poor offensive year, but he never indicated to be a consistently strong hitter; moreover, his defense helped his overall case.
Sure Rollins should improve on his 2008 season, and we don’t need to expect bashing and boasting from Ruiz. But of the few other players who struggled in 2008 (and there were few), Geoff Jenkins seems most probable to rebound strong.
Jenkins, a lifetime .275 hitter, has decreased his average steadily in the past few seasons, but his slugging percentage decreased tremendously from 2007 to ’08 (.471 to .392). This is probably attributed to his non-everyday role. His highest OPS (.782) came after a stretch of starts thanks to a 15-day DL stint for Jayson Werth. Clearly, Jenkins was most comfortable as an everyday player. He wasn’t ready to be benched in 2008.
Now he is.
Now Jenkins knows his place is fourth outfielder despite his large contract. And instead of being a player who despises the lessened role, Jenkins seemed to accept his role and in time, became one of the clubhouse leaders who rooted for his boys from the bench. It showed – late in 2008 his OPS got close to .700 after some time in the mid .600s. His pinch hit double in game five of the World Series was the hit he waited for his entire career; surely that could solidify his bench worth.
The transition from starter to bench is a grueling one. It takes some guts to accept it and even thrive. But if anyone seems ready to accept it, it’s Jenkins. I wouldn’t be surprised, then, if he has a strong comeback season in 2009.
Posts: 0 NC Jason
One of my favorite non-action shots of the playoffs as a whole was watching Jenkins’ genuine excitement for his teammates. It was so obvious how excited he was just to be part of the team. And I agree as the season wore on he seemed to understand his role. It seems that Manuel and the Phillies as a whole seem to get the most out of their non-regulars and for some reason players like Dobbs and Jenkins and at the same time they are happy with their role.
Posted: 02:46 PM on February 20, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
“One of my favorite non-action shots of the playoffs as a whole was watching Jenkins’ genuine excitement for his teammates.”
I second that!
Posted: 02:57 PM on February 20, 2009
Posts: 0 tim mccarver sucks
He is just a team guy who will accept any role and he is the kind of guy i want on my team anyday. This is why the team won the series.
Posted: 02:57 PM on February 20, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
Great point here, Tim.
Everyone was down on Jenkins and he had a really bad year by his standards. He failed to live up to expectations, however, you could very easily attribute that to the adjustment (from everyday player to role player). Jenkins will be making bank so it’s a bad deal no matter how you slice it, but if he can settle into his role (Tim notes his progress) he could be a still contribute to this team in a big way.
Jenkins, standing on second base cheering towards the dugout in Game 5, part 2, will be a memory that many Phillies Phans will never forget.
Posted: 03:28 PM on February 20, 2009
Posts: 0 Ben
When Jenkins signed with the Phillies I definitely didn’t see him as an everyday player. More like a platoon player. It’s unfortunate they had to pay him so much because he was an everyday player for the Brewers before the Phillies signed him. Werth then beat him out for the spot because of his better production, he became a bench player and I was hoping he’d be willing to accept the role. It did take some adjustments.
This year I think Jenkins will definitely have a chance to take back some playing time from Werth. Just because Werth signed this deal shouldn’t mean that its etched in stone that he’s gotta play. Granted I don’t want Werth to struggle, but it is nice knowing that you have a team first guy who also has the ability to play everyday if it was necessary due to injury or lack of production. Jenkins could be like Werth was to him and just steal the job back. All I want is production from the position. I don’t care who does it.
Jenkins can really extend his career out if he can handle being a bench player who also excells when called upon to play more often.
Posted: 03:45 PM on February 20, 2009
Posts: 0 ryan
Jenkins best years are definitely left in Milwaukee, however, he can definitely do better than what he did last year. although i have a feeling that he may have been a major juicer back in his prime.
Posted: 04:02 PM on February 20, 2009
Posts: 0 Jason B.
Ryan, you may be right, but after learning about A-Rod, how many players can you say were not juicing, with absolute certainty? Seeing Jenks on the top step of the dugout when Stairs hit the homer jumping up and down almost made me cry. You could tell that Jenkins was so thankful to even be in the dugout. For pt2 of game 5, driving to the game, I told my dad, Jenkins is gonna hit a leadoff homer, and how close he was to making me right. Seeing him pump those fists, amazing.
-”A fist pump and hands clapping from Jenkins!” Scott Fransky Oct. 29th, 2008
Posted: 04:12 PM on February 20, 2009
Posts: 0 James Fayleez
What a slow news day.
GEOFF is better seen and not played.
Posted: 04:12 PM on February 20, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
“A fist pump and hands clapping from Jenkins!”
There it was… and I think that I just cried a little bit.
Posted: 04:52 PM on February 20, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
I can actually see him having a good year as a part time player/bench player here. Hell get a start once in a while, but not very often at all. the outfield is filled with everyday players but once in a while theyll spell ibanez if theyre all healthy. so either jenkins or (my guess) mayberry will be that guy there. mayberry can be the 5th outfielder, because he doesnt have a huge ceiling that you dont want to tamper with like taylor. besides, does anyone have any other ideas for an internal option for RH bench bat? i dont think coste will be that guy this time around.
Posted: 09:02 PM on February 20, 2009
Posts: 0 Jason B.
It’s ok Chuck, let it all out. That call will be in my head forever.
Posted: 09:11 PM on February 20, 2009
Posts: 0 Chapps
I think when Ibanez cracks under the pressure from the fans, Jenkins will be playing everyday and Ibanez will be a really overpaid 4th outfielder.
Posted: 09:57 PM on February 20, 2009
Posts: 0 Griffin
Jenkins is old and is declining. Ibanez is two years older than Jenkins….yikes.
Posted: 12:05 AM on February 21, 2009
Posts: 0 metsblow4show
How many teams have a fourth outfielder the caliber of Geoff Jenkins? If you lose a starter, you plug him in and you don’t lose much at all. I think he will have a bounce back year after going through a tough year last year with making the adjustment to part time player and being hurt. He is a great guy to have on your team, on the field and in the clubhouse.
Posted: 11:38 AM on February 21, 2009
Posts: 0 KM
don’t count on it
Posted: 09:04 PM on February 21, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
The need for a “RH bench bat” will likely include Jenkins in a trade before the season starts.
Posted: 12:56 PM on February 22, 2009