With the signing of Brad Wilkerson to a minor league contract, the Phillies have created some questions as far as who plays first base for the Ironpigs in 2010.
Yes, Noise Nation, I hear the collective screaming, “Say it ain’t so!”
Yet, it is baseball and at the minor leagues anything could be so.
Let’s make a comparison:
• Both were brought up in the Expos farm system when it was producing players like Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Vlad Guerrero.
• Both are power hitting left handed first basemen.
Tracy throws Right, Wilkerson throws Left. One point to Wilkerson.• Career Major League Stats:
Tracy – 5 seasons, 149 games, .231 avg, 13 HR, 2 Triples
Wilkerson – 9 seasons, 972 games, .247 avg, 122 HR, 28 Triples• Andy Tracy pitched one inning in 2008, striking out one allowing no hits or runs.
•Wilkerson has hit for the cycle twice.
• Nicknames:
The Might Tracy! or The Last Expo.
I’ll let you decide on that one..
Could Wilkerson replace Tracy as the Pig’s 1st baseman? Possibly.
Could they alternate as 1st baseman and designated hitter? Possibly.
Could Wilkerson find himself as a bat off the bench role for the Phillies? Possibly.
Could Wilkerson replace Andy Tracy in the hearts of Ironpig fans? Not likely.
Is it April yet? OINK!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
I never even thought of the possibility of Wilkerson playing first base except on the rare occasions Tracy gets a day off or is put into the DH spot. In 2009 Wilkerson played just 2 games for the Pawsox, 1 in centerfield and 1 as a DH. In 2008 he played 93 games in either left or right field. I assume he still has at least a little foot speed because in 2004 he hit 32 homers and stole 13 bases. Of course if he plays a corner outfield spot where does that leave Mr. Taggalicious? Bozied has played some third base, and dare I say it, if I remember correctly, when Tracy got called up to the Phillies in September 2008 he suffered a broken hand when he was hit by a line drive “while fielding groundballs at third base”. Tracy has played more games at third base in the major leagues than first base but all 6 of his big league errors have come while playing the hot corner. One thing for sure, Wilkerson won’t see any time at third base with his glove on the right hand. It’s also unlikely he doesn’t earn a spot with the Phillies in April since he wasn’t invited to big league camp. It’s a sure thing that Tracy stays at first and the other guys battle for time at third base or in the outfield. That outfield is beginning to get a bit crowded. And does all this mean Neil Sellers spends another year in Reading? I’d say spring is in the air but I know the weather forecast wouldn’t agree.
**FIELD LEVEL SEATS SOLD OUT FOR THE ALL STAR GAME** Only standing room and lawn seating remains. (or must I say “2010 Triple-A All Star Game presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network”?)
Looking at who we have so far. Wilkerson would best fit at 3rd. There were rumors last season that Tracy would begin transitioning into a coach or player/coach soon.
C – Tuffy Gosewisch, John Suomi
1B – Andy Tracy
2B / SS – Ozzie Chavez, Freddy Galvis?
3B – Wilkerson?
OF – Rich Thompson, John Mayberry, Freddy Guzman, Mike Spidale (Probably back and forth between Reading and LV), Tyson Gillies, Domonic Brown?
Brown, Gillies most likely in AA, as well as Sellers. Heard that about Tracey and the fact that he has some shoulder issues could push thta up, possibly. I have to believe that both Wilkerson and Guzman are nothing more than insurance issues in case of spring training injuries to major league roster. I am guessing that one if not both could be gone before end of spring training. Remember this, no one wanted either Wilkerson or Guzman. Galvis will be at AA to start, and look for Thompson to be possible a player coach at some level for the Phillies. Just a few thoughts.
I agree with you on Wilkerson and Guzman. Wilkerson lasted 3 games at AAA last year before he retired himself. If he doesn’t make the Phillie’s bench he will either retire again or be released. Guzman would be fun to watch but you still have fan favorite Thompson. Thompson was solid in center field last season until he ran face first into it to catch a fly ball mid-season 2009. When he returned he played mostly left in favor of Jason Ellison in center. I’ll never forget the catch Thompson made on his back just below the Noise Nation and throwing from the ground hit the relay to gun down a runner trying to score.