Twitter was a buzz these past few days with John Mayberry taking a few rounds of practice at first base. The notes included a mention that he played a little first base during his college years. Very interesting. Interesting as he hasn’t played the south corner position in his entire professional career.
Checking my stats on baseball-reference.com, it shows that Mayberry, in 6 minor league seasons and 681 games, has been exclusively an outfielder.
So what’s the deal with him trying out first base? The Phillies have Ryan Howard and behind him a touted prospect Matt Rizzotti. Why change Mayberry now?
I’m thinking it has to do with trade value or even possibly a bench position with the Phillies. Howard is going nowhere soon and Rizzotti is the heir apparent. Watching Mayberry over the past couple years you have to wonder why he hasn’t been placed at first base sooner. He’s tall, he stretches well. He doesn’t hustle often in the outfield. (Did I really type that?) He does have speed but he isn’t quick to the punch. It takes him some time to get started and not having a good break in a major league outfield will turn singles into extra base hits.
I think first base has been calling Mayberry’s name for a while. Why not?
Why now is a more interesting question. Could they be shopping Mayberry to other teams for a more experienced outfielder?
We will see.
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
One of the TV2 specials had the guys batting around the idea of Mayberry as an all-around utility guy…
I don’t really see him as a utility guy. When I think utility I see the ability to play all infield and outfield spots. Mayberry wouldn’t make the grade for middle infield or 3rd base.
Versatility. He’s more valuable if he can play all 3 outfield positions plus first base. He would provide a valuable option as a right-handed hitter at first base who could provide a day off for Ryan Howard when they’re facing a tough left-handed pitcher.
Also, Mayberry did play 4 games at first base for Oklahoma City in 2008. He made 1 error in those 4 games and had a fielding percentage of .958.
It would not surprise me at all if Mayberry was packaged in a deal with Joe Blanton before the end of spring training.
Seriously though–next Saturday big fundraiser for Allentown Explosion! Philly Pretzel will be giving away pretzels next Saturday at the ballpark, starting at 830AM—-Pretzels will be free, but we are teaming with Ironpigs, who will provide pulled pork, hot dogs, and of course Coca-Cola of the lehigh valley. Everything will be free of charge as you stand in line for your tickets, but donations will be accepted for our Allentown neighbors, who can use our help at this difficult time. Let’s also get the word out——-PHILLY PRETZEL WILL BE DONATING 25 CENTS FOR EVERY TWIST SOLD DURING THE GAMES THIS YEAR TO ALLENTOWN EXPLOSION FUND AND IRONPIGS CHARITIES.
You do realize he has the same value as a box of Rivets!!
read in the paper that Amaro basically said that this was a make or break season for him in the majors and that being able to fill in at first would help him.
I could be wrong on this, but after this year if not already Mayberry would be a six year guy and could sign anywhere as a minor league FA that the Phillies would not control.
So unless they are going to keep bringing back one of Huppert’s whores, he is most certainly being shopped.
Between he and Rizzotti neither currently have a home of a future in Philadelphia.
“He doesn’t hustle often in the outfield. (Did I really type that?)”
Thank You for finally being objective about him.