The Philadelphia Phillies are gearing up for a fresh start to the new baseball season with a new addition to their roster. Jake Cave, a Virginia native, will make his debut with the team on Opening Day, starting in left field. He was brought in from the Baltimore Orioles on a waiver claim in December.
A Look at Cave’s Past Performance
Cave spent years in the New York Yankees’ system before being designated for assignment and picked up by the Minnesota Twins. With the Twins, Cave appeared in 335 games, hitting 33 home runs and 118 RBI with a slash line of .235/.297/.411, an OPS of .708 and OPS+ of 93. He was known for his athleticism and versatility on the field, with the ability to play all over the diamond.
The Need for Extended Action
With Rhys Hoskins out due to a season-ending injury, Cave is expected to have extended action with the Phillies this season. Phillies manager Rob Thompson cited Cave’s handedness and ability to play all over the diamond as reasons for giving him an extended look in the majors.
An Unfamiliar Start
Cave will make his start on Thursday against the Texas Rangers, batting eighth in the lineup while Aaron Nola takes the mound. This will be an unfamiliar field for Cave as he has never before played at Citizens Bank Park.
A Family Connection to Baseball
Cave comes from a baseball family – with his father having played ball at Kecoughtan and later becoming a coach – and his sisters reportedly starred in softball. With such a strong background in baseball and softball, there is no doubt that Cave has been well trained and equipped to handle whatever challenges come his way on this new team.
Final Thoughts
The Phillies are facing several challenges as they enter the new baseball season. With Hoskins out and the need to find the right mix against left-handed pitchers, the team is relying on players like Cave to step up and contribute to their success. Whether or not he is up for the task remains to be seen, but the Phillies remain hopeful that Cave will make a positive impact on the team this season.
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