Over the next 28 days Philly Pressbox (https://phillypressbox.wordpress.com) (@phillypressbox) will be doing a review and analysis of each Phillies player, Manager Charlie Manuel and the coaching staff leading up to Opening Day 2012.  On Day 25 we preview, Laynce Nix.

Laynce Nix – The 31 year old lefthanded hitting Nix was signed in the off season to provide both outfield depth and a lefthanded bat off the bench. Nix is another journeyman player that the Phillies feel can come in and produce. Nix has never really been a full time starter at the major league level. In his 9 seasons of experience he has only appeared in 100+ games 3 times. Nix is a former 4^th round draft pick of the Texas Rangers in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his big league debut in July of 2003 at the age of 22. He played for the Rangers from 2003 – 2006 before being traded in mid-season to the Milwaukee Brewers. He played in only 30 games for the Brewers from mid 2006 through the end of 2008 at which time he was granted his free agency. Laynce moved on to Cincinnati for 2 seasons before landing with the Washington Nationals in 2011.

Nix is a career .244 hitter with 64 home runs and 226 runs batted in over 1673 at bats. He has posted 14 or more home runs in a season 3 times in his limited duty.

One of the big battles going in to Spring Training was between non-roster players Juan Pierre and Scott Podsednik for a reserve outfield position. Pierre won that battle, although both had outstanding springs. Keeping both of them doesn’t seem like much of an option since they are very similar. Nix, on the other hand has seemed to be under the radar.  He has hit only .208 this spring with 0 home runs and 4 rbi’s. At this point, the Phils have Jim Thome, Juan Pierre and Brian Schneider as lefthanded bats on the bench. There is still a chance that Podsednik could make the team and Nix not make it. Pods is also a lefthanded hitter.

Personal Analysis:

We’re not really excited about this situation. We feel that the lefthanded power hitting side of the bench is covered by Thome. Nix’ history does not indicate that he brings a lot more to the table than that. He’s been known to strikeout a good bit, provide an occasional long ball and hit for a low average. We don’t expect much here. Honestly, the roster spot can be upgraded with Podsednik, a waiver wire pickup or possibly carrying another pitcher. This will depend on the final infield roster spot and Chase Utley’s health.

Tomorrow we will preview Jonathan Papelbon.

The series: Day 1, Charlie Manuel. Day 2, The Coaching Staff. Day 3, Roy Halladay. Day 4, Cliff Lee. Day 5, Cole Hamels. Day 6, Vance Worley. Day 7, Joe Blanton. Day 8, Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz. Day 9, Ryan Howard. Day 10, Chase Utley. Day 11, Jimmy Rollins. Day 12, Placido Polanco. Day 13, John Mayberry, Jr. Day 14, Shane Victorino. Day 15, Hunter Pence. Day 16, Brian Schneider. Day 17, Jim Thome. Day 18, Kyle Kendrick. Day 19, Antonio Bastardo. Day 20, Ty Wigginton. Day 21, Chad Qualls. Day 22, Freddy Galvis. Day 23, David Herndon. Day 24, Juan Pierre.

Feel free to click the FOLLOW button on the bottom right of this page, input your email address and receive your Philly Pressbox posts directly in your email.

We would like to thank our sponsor for their support. Please check out the new trends for Spring Phillies baseball gear. http://www.shop.com/ul!52667!Spring+baseball-trends.xhtml?credituser=C9407795 Also, check out the All Sports Philadelphia Team Jerseys on the following link. http://www.shop.com/ul!52674!Philly+Jersey:s-trends.xhtml?credituser=C9407795. Lastly, click on the business card below to see all of their items.