Whit Merrifield's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Whit Merrifield went 1-for-4 on Saturday with his third home run of the season. Through 34 games this season, the 35-year-old holds a poor .174/.250/.294 line with six stolen bases. Merrifield has been in a strict utility role through the early part of the season and should be expected to continue to do so throughout the summer. In his past seven games, he has tallied only two hits and is on pace to have the worst season of his career. However, he is still holding an excellent 9.9% K rate. Merrifield is typically a strong batting average stabilizer and option for speed, but he has yet to settle in with his new club. Once he begins to raise his batting average, he could be worth a look in deeper leagues.

Philadelphia Phillies utility man Whit Merrifield is starting in left field and is batting eighth on Monday against the visiting Cincinnati Reds and left-hander Andrew Abbott. Brandon Marsh is moving to center field, which pushes Johan Rojas to the bench. Merrifield wasn't in the team's Opening Day lineup last Thursday, but he's started each of the last three games with left-handers on the mound. The 35-year-old three-time All-Star is looking likely to play anytime the Phils face lefties and to help fill in when others need days off throughout the year. So far through his two games played, he's gone 1-for-7 with a walk in eight plate appearances. As long as Merrifield sticks near the bottom of the Phillies' batting order, he's not going to have a very high fantasy ceiling on a daily basis.

Philadelphia Phillies utility player Whit Merrifield will get the start in left field on Saturday opposite Atlanta Braves left-hander Max Fried. The veteran was said to get some playing time this weekend with the Braves facing lefties both Saturday and Sunday. With Johan Rojas winning the everyday center field job, Merrifield will be relegated to the short side of a platoon alongside Brandon Marsh in left field this season. The 35-year-old inked a one-year pact with the Phillies this winter after hitting .272 with 11 home runs and 26 steals across 145 appearances with the Blue Jays last season. He'll have his hands full against Fried who posted a 2.55 ERA across an injury-shortened 14 starts a season ago.