The handwriting was on the right-field wall for Domonic Brown and John Mayberry Jr. when the Phillies acquired Hunter Pence.
The Phillies wanted a proven right-handed bat. Brown was sent back to the minors and Mayberry’s role was reduced. It didn’t matter that Mayberry has been hot since being recalled from Triple-A in early July. Fourteen of Mayberry’s 19 hits have gone for extra bases, including two key home runs this past weekend in San Francisco.
“It’s good that I’m getting extra-base hits,” Mayberry said. “It’s good when you get any hits up here, but ones for extra bases are always good.”
Mayberry 27, understands why the Phillies picked up Pence. He’s just happy that he’s still part of what appears to be a pretty special ball club.
“It’s just really good to be here,” Mayberry said. “Of course, it would be great to start but I’m just happy to be contributing any way that I can.”
Mayberry is what Charlie Manuel believes could be a late-bloomer, kind of like Jayson Werth, who emerged with the Phillies at age 29.
“I can see John being the same way as Jayson,” Manuel said. “It’s a similar situation. Once Jayson started hitting right-handed pitching regularly, he won a starting job. Mayberry has to be more consistent hitting right-handed pitching. He’s doing pretty good.”
Mayberry has speed and can play all three outfield positions. He has nine home runs, 13 doubles and 31 RBIs in 166 bats. Entering last night, Mayberry was also batting .333 (4-for-12) in August.
“That’s not bad,” Manuel said. “He has all the tools and the talent. We’ll see what he does.”
