NewsBruntlett trying to find ways to contribute
Veteran utility man makes first start of season at first base
By David Villavicencio / MLB.com
07/19/09 1:07 PM ET
MIAMI -- Eric Bruntlett has struggled this season, but the utilityman is still working hard to contribute for the National League East-leading Phillies.The six-year veteran is known for his versatility, playing all over the field for manager Charlie Manuel's club. On Sunday, Bruntlett made his first start of the season at first base, in place of a resting Ryan Howard. While the reserve infielder has had a tough time at the plate, batting .139 in 72 at-bats, he takes pride in helping his team in any way he can.
"When you're a bench guy, you can't expect your numbers to be as good as if you were playing all the time, but they can't be where I'm at now," Bruntlett said. "You kind of take special pride in how your team is doing and find certain ways to contribute and pick up your spirits.
"Sometimes it's pinch-running or having a good pinch-hit at-bat where you draw a walk or move a guy over. You're always looking to find a positive way to contribute. It helps your confidence, because you feel like you're doing something to help the ballclub and getting a little bit of action."
Bruntlett is in a situation that many reserves struggle with, being expected to produce in limited chances. A reserve role is not easy to excel in because of the uncertainty of when an opportunity will arise, but Bruntlett feels what could get him going is some more consistent chances to prove his worth.
"That's always the challenge I think, to produce when given the opportunity," Bruntlett said. "You don't see as many opportunities as you might like, so it's harder to maintain consistency, but you need to make the most of them when you get them. That's the way it is. I've been trying to do this as much as I can. It hasn't been working very well, obviously, but I think getting some more at-bats would help. It's a challenge, for sure, to try and stay prepared, because the more at-bats you get, the easier it is to be ready."
The veteran does not blame anyone for his limited opportunities. Instead, he feels he has played himself into the role he is in, but that does not mean he is happy with it. Bruntlett is working to prove to his team that he can be the right-handed bat off the bench that it has been searching for since the offseason.
"Had I gotten off to a good start, I probably would have gotten more at-bats by now, but at the same time, there's still half a season left and I can still work my way into being that right-handed bat off the bench," Bruntlett said. "I'm just trying to stay positive and make the most of my opportunities."
Despite playing a key reserve role for the 2008 World Series champions, Bruntlett knows there will always be pressure to produce in his role because the Phillies are a team that is always looking to improve.
"That's always in the back of your mind," Bruntlett said of the possibility of being designated for assignment. "I certainly don't feel real comfortable where I'm at, but it's always been that way. My entire time in the big leagues has been that way. I've always been in a spot where if they needed to, they could go out and find somebody else that could do a better job."
While he says he is always concerned about his job security, Bruntlett does not dwell on it. Instead, he focuses on earning more playing time by filling his role and helping the Phillies win.
"Every game, at-bat or chance you get on the field, you're playing for your next opportunity," Bruntlett said. "It's hard to not press when you go out there, but that's what it's always been for me. It's the situation I've got and it always has been that way, so I just go out there, play and try to help the team."
David Villavicencio is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
