John Mayberry Jr. entered Spring Training with an axe to grind.  The former blue chip prospect entered the spring with one goal.  To head to Philadelphia on April 2nd.

At 6’6 and 230lbs., Mayberry possess above average power.  Unfortunately when you’re blessed with that power you spend all your time swinging for the fences, which more often than not results in an out.  It’s been the knock on Mayberry since 2007 when he took the Midwest league by surprise, hitting 21 home runs and driving in 77 in 126 games.

When the Phillies sent speedster Greg Golson to the Texas Rangers for Mayberry, it was originally viewed as a swap of prospects who once were at the top of the their respective teams, who’s flaws in their games made them expendable.  Golson, a player with five-tools, who was unable to hit an off speed pitch, and Mayberry, a power hitting outfielder, who would never hit consistent enough to make an impact (that whole swinging for the fences thing).

Well two-weeks into Spring Training Mayberry is starting to turn heads and is showing people he’s not a power only player.  Although it’s only been six games, Mayberry leads the Phillies in Grapefruit League hits (6), RBI’s (5), total bases (11), and runs (4) (he also ranks second in average hitting .353).  I understand six games isn’t a fair window to start a bandwagon, it does show he’s worth paying a little attention to.

While it’s the odds are Mayberry will still begin the season at Lehigh Valley, with the opportunity for a midseason call-up, he keeps putting this type of production up, it’s going to be hard for Charlie Manuel to not consider giving him a roster spot.