Aug 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) tosses the ball back to starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (99) (not pictured) against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports Denny Medley
CLEARWATER — The primary two positions to get J.T. Realmuto out from behind the plate without losing his bat in the lineup would be DH and first base.
But the Phillies currently have All-Stars at both those spots in Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. Schwarber could occasionally go to left field, but played just five games out there a season ago. You wouldn't think that the Phillies would want to have Schwarber or Harper out of the lineup altogether more than a few times this season.
Thomson said Wednesday that Realmuto was "all in" on having some days as the DH more frequently than he has in the past in an attempt to manage his workload. But Thomson also added that "there may be some other ways we can do that."
So On Pattison followed up with Thomson on that Thursday. Would the other way just be first base or are there other possibilities?
"Yeah, maybe play a position," Thomson said. "I've talked to him about maybe taking some fly balls in the outfield because he's really athletic and see how he is with that. So, you know, were gonna just try some different things."
So is playing a position — likely left field — something that could happen this spring?
"I think we're gonna try and get him some work," Thomson said. "You know, we don't want to wear him out either. But we want to see what it feels like, see if he's comfortable with it.
Would this be in a workout or a game?
"Well, we'll see," Thomson replied. "Work him out first."
Realmuto will turn 34 in March. It makes sense that the Phillies are being proactive in trying to manage his workload, as the days of him catching 1,100 innings in a season — something he's done four times in his career — are likely over.
With that said, Realmuto is a competitor that wants to play as much as possible, and the Phillies would like to keep his bat in the lineup on some of the days where he isn't catching.
"When we were having the discussion of trying to manage his workload as best we can ... and at the same time having respect that this is a contract year for him ... we're very left-handed, so we want as many right-handers in the lineup as we can," Thomson said of how this idea came to be. "And I said 'You ever think about playing the outfield?' He said 'Well, I think I move around pretty good. I'm willing to try anything.' And that's who he is."
From @TimKellySports: Rob Thomson says J.T. Realmuto responded well to conversation about managing workloadhttps://t.co/rsAjKJZYAU
Realmuto is a tremendous athlete, one who in addition to being a baseball star in high school, also was a quarterback and wrestler. He's a two-time Gold Glover, and even at this stage of his career, runs the bases about as well as any catcher you'll see.
Whether it's left field or another spot on the diamond, is Realmuto physically capable of playing a position other than catcher or first base? Almost certainly.
But it's fair to wonder if the risk would be worth the reward. Catcher is the most physically-demanding position on the diamond, but playing in the outfield — particularly when you're not accustomed to doing so — wouldn't exactly represent a light day for Realmuto.
Darren Daulton — a player that Realmuto has often been compared to — did play some outfield later in his career. But that was after he altogether couldn't catch anymore. Realmuto isn't at that stage of his career. If he were to play in left field, it would likely only be once in a while. If that's the case, the juice might not be worth the squeeze.
But the idea of Realmuto on occasion playing a position other than catcher or first base appears to at least be something the Phillies have kicked around. It's fair to be skeptical it will become anything more than that, but you never know.
"There's nothing set in stone, though," Thomson said. "It's just an idea."
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