Could This Rookie Who Just Hit for the Cycle Become a World Champion?
Weston Wilson Hits for The Cycle; Could He Help Philly Get Their First Championship Since 2008?
Although the Phillies have not played very well since the All-Star Break, Philly seems like they have gotten back to form. Perhaps one reason why the Phillies haven’t played well of recent is the impact of injuries. Philadelphia’s starting rotation missed Taijuan Walker for almost two months along with Ranger Suarez & Zach Wheeler both missing a start before the All-Star break which ended up with Suarez being placed on the 15-Day Injured List. With all these injuries, the most recent was Austin Hays being placed on the 10-Day IL with a left hamstring strain. With the Phillies starting left fielder going on the injured list, rookie utility player Weston Wilson has been getting more playing time for the Phils.
Weston Wilson, who was recalled from AAA Lehigh Valley after Philly released Whit Merrifield, became the first Phillies rookie to hit for the cycle in franchise history on Thursday night. The 29 year old Wilson hit .240/.340/.827 in 71 games with Triple-A LHV, combining for 11 doubles, 18 home runs, 55 RBI, & 14 stolen bases this season. In 15 career games in the big leagues, Wilson has hit .321/.400/1.007 with 2 doubles, a triple, 4 home runs, & 9 runs batted in. If these stats aren’t good enough, Wilson also hit a solo home run in his first MLB at bat along with helping Michael Lorenzen throw the 14th no-hitter in Phillies history the same night.
Wilson earned the start in left field for the Phillies on Thursday night with Philly going against Nationals’ lefty Mitchell Parker making the start. After striking out in his first at bat, Wilson hit a triple to leadoff the bottom of the 4th before scoring on a single by Johan Rojas. Wilson would then hit an infield single in his second at bat of the inning. Wilson would later hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning that extended the Phillies’ lead to 10-3. Then, entering the bottom of the 8th inning, Wilson was due up as the third batter of the inning & needed a double for the cycle. With a 2-2 count and a runner on first with one out, Wilson hit a line drive to right-center field. As the ball got closer and closer to the ground, Nationals’ right fielder, Alex Call dove for the ball in an attempt to make the out. However, the ball deflected off of Call’s glove— giving Weston Wilson a cycle & making him the first rookie in Phillies history to hit for the cycle.
With the postseason getting closer by the day, the big question is— How can Weston Wilson help the Phillies in the playoffs? Now, after Austin Hays comes off the injured list, LHP Ranger Suarez will also most likely be off the injured list. After Suarez comes off the IL, Philly will most likely send RHP Max Lazar down to AAA. After this, the Phillies will likely DFA a player on the big league roster before activating Austin Hays from the Injured List. If this happens, Wilson will be apart of the Phillies push for a championship ring. Now we answer the question— how can Wilson help the Phillies in the playoffs? Before Hays got injured, Wilson was mostly used as a pinch hitter late in games as well as getting an occasional start. Although I don’t see Wilson being a regular starter for the Phillies, I do think Wilson can help the team a lot if he can come up with clutch hits late in games as a pinch hitter.
