Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Phillies have decided to release outfielder Laynce Nix today. He was not able to win a starting spot. Also the success of rookie Darin Ruf during the second half has taken playing time away from Nix. Hopefully another team will pick up the 32 year-old.
Nix joined the Phillies last season. He had only played 70 games and had gotten 114 at bats. Nix managed to get an average of .246 and accrued 28 hits with 16 RBI. Nix had also had ten doubles and had no trouble finding a way to get on base as he also had 12 walks. He certainly knew how to be clutch.
This season Nix has not been so helpful. He had only been hitting .180 and he has had 14 more at bats. Nix has only 23 hits with seven RBI. He still managed to get walks, but Nix has been a pinch hitter for most of the season. It’s hard to hit when you are not getting at bats every day. The Phillies should not blame Nix for his numbers.
The Phillies are going to be making a lot of these moves as they are running out of spots for players. They are bringing up rookies to start rebuilding their team. It will be interesting to watch the rest of the season and winter to see who else is released.
Nix was a key player off the bench, and he had been a player you could usually count on. It is sad to see him go, but the Phillies need to focus on the future.
