Kansas City Royals: What will Brett Phillips’ 2019 role be?

Brett Phillips was acquired by the Kansas City Royals alongside Jorge Lopez, sending Mike Moustakas to the streaking Milwaukee Brewers.

The young, talented Brett Phillips took a backseat role in the Milwaukee Brewers organization due to a plethora of outfield acquisitions in the offseason. So, it made sense to trade him to a team like the Kansas City Royals looking for impact players for years to come.

Brett Phillips has the potential to be one of those players. Though he has seen some struggles at the plate early in his career, his defensive prowess is reason enough for him to be looked at as a notable young player in the organization.

What should his role be?

To some, the plate struggles should signify a role on the bench. But, the hitting will come. His phenomenal defensive efforts are the part to focus on for the time being. The 2018 season was just his second where he received Major League time.

In 2018 between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Kansas City Royals, Phillips slashed .187/.252/.306 through 51 games. It isn’t the greatest slash, by any means. But, he wowed Royals fans right off the bat by gunning down players at the plate from the outfield with his 80-grade arm. He even robbed a home run in his debut with the Royals.

He has a lot of potential, accounting for 8.3 runs saved on defense in the 2018 season. Plus, for a team that is rebuilding, it will not hurt to give Brett Phillips a plethora of chances to prove he is an elite player.

He truly does have what it takes to play a vital role in the rebuild. He is a talented young player with a phenomenal work ethic and the means to make a difference in a lineup.

Plus, with a personality like his, Phillips is a quality guy to have on a team and in the clubhouse. Even with plenty of other outfielders in the Royals organization vying for spots, it should not come as a surprise if Brett Phillips takes on an everyday role for the team in the 2019 season.