PHILADELPHIA (AP) —ate to join his third team in less than 12 months http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-david-ross-jersey , intent on regaining his old hitting stroke.The Philadelphia Phillies introduced their newest outfielder at a news conference Tuesday, a week after giving him a $50 million, three-year contract that includes a team option for 2022 and could be worth $62 million over four seasons.“This is a game of adjustments,” McCutchen said. “I’ve definitely had to make some adjustments over the years, and I know that I can be even better than what I’ve been over the past few (seasons). There has been a decline, yes, but I do understand what I’m capable of doing.McCutchen hit .255 with 20 homers and 65 RBIs in 155 games this year for San Francisco and the New York Yankees. His average was a career-low and his homers and RBIs were his fewest since 2010. He spent his first nine years in Pittsburgh and was the 2013 NL Most Valuable Player.“I know I can be better, and that’s what I’ve been doing all offseason: preparing and working, and that’s not going to stop,” he said. “I’m looking forward to being even better than I’ve been. I’m never satisfied, and I don’t settle with what I’ve done. That’s just the person I am.”Phillies manager Gabe Kapler gave up his No. 22 and presented McCutchen with his first red pinstriped jersey. He said McCutchen will bat anywhere from first through fifth and will play a corner outfield spot.“He’s a guy who consistently puts up 600 plate appearances,” said Kapler, who will wear No. 19. “He’s been extremely durable Anthony Rizzo Jersey , and he wants to play for us every day.”The 32-year-old McCutchen was an All-Star each season from 2011-15, topping .300 in batting average from 2012-14. He has 223 homers, a .287 average and 790 RBIs in 10 major league seasons. His on-base percentage (.378) is higher than anyone else on Philadelphia’s current roster and his slugging percentage (.481) is second only to Rhys Hoskins (.525).“I’ve never played an entire season in a hitter’s park. I’m looking forward to that,” McCutchen said of hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park.Hoskins came out to see McCutchen and talked about the team’s offseason moves. The Phillies acquired shortstop Jean Segura from Seattle and are pursuing free agents Manny Machado and Bryce Harper.“I think we’ve (added) some pretty good baseball players so far, really exciting,” Hoskins said. “A couple of more veteran guys in Segura and Cutch, which I really think will add to the clubhouse presence and just kind of overall environment, especially when we get late in the year. These guys have been through that. And it will be nice for the bulk of us to be able to lean on them and kind of get us through that.”Hoskins and Harper share an agent, Scott Boras, so Hoskins has talked to the 2015 NL MVP.“It’s just more of me offering any look at to what this city is like, what the organization is like, what the clubhouse is like, what Kap is like http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-david-ross-jersey ,” Hoskins said. “It’s not me offering information to him. If he wants it, and I’ve expressed this to him, that I am here for a chat if he wants it and it’d help.”McCutchen hasn’t been part of any recruiting process but is willing to do whatever it takes to help the Phillies improve. Philadelphia finished 80-82 last season after leading the NL East on Aug. 11.“I saw this team from afar and played against them, and I saw what they were able to do this season,” McCutchen said. “They fell a little short, but something I realize is that it’s there. I’m happy to be a part of it and help push this team forward to winning a championship.” Name: Taylor ClarkeDOB: 5/14/1993 (Age 25)Height: 6’4"Weight: 200Acquired: 3rd Round, 2015 MLB DraftPosition: StarterMost Notable Tool: CommandSeason Stats: 27 starts, 13-8, 4.03 ERA, 152..."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Diamondbacks Farm TeamsGameday ThreadsDiamondbacks NewsDiamondbacks Game ReportsFang FoodDiamondbacks Farm SystemDiamondbacks ProspectsDiamondbacks Top Prospect #7: RHP Taylor ClarkeNew,18commentsESTShareTweetShareShareDiamondbacks Top Prospect #7: RHP Taylor ClarkeRick Scuteri-USA TODAY SportsName: Taylor ClarkeDOB: 5/14/1993 (Age 25)Height: 6’4”Weight: 200Acquired: 3rd Round, 2015 MLB DraftPosition: StarterMost Notable Tool: CommandSeason Stats: 27 starts, 13-8 Andre Dawson Jersey , 4.03 ERA, 152 IP, 125/44 K/BB, 12 HR, 1.27 WHIP, 39.3% GB rate for AAA Reno2018 Season Summary: After reaching AAA and struggling a bit in 2017, Clarke spent the whole year in Reno and improved. His walk and HR/FB rates dropped to 6.9% and 7.3%, showing a strong improvement in command. Clarke’s numbers don’t jump off the page, but he was a steady and reliable pitcher for Reno all year long. Tools: Fastball 50/55, Curveball 50/50, Cutter 45/50, Change-Up 50/50, Command 55/55Clarke’s stuff does not stand out Ron Santo Jersey , but he maximizes what he has well. He attacks hitters with his low 90s 4-seamer at the top of the strike zone, which is why he gives up more fly balls than ground balls. It works for him as evidenced by the high infield fly ball rate (25% or better at every stop). Clarke lacks a plus pitch in his repertoire, but compensates by being able to command 4 average pitches and sequencing them to keep hitters off balance.Upside: Clarke will have to continue to keep hitters off balance to overcome his lack of a true put-away pitch, something he has learned in AAA last year. Best case scenario he becomes a #4 or 5 starter in the rotation that can eat up innings and put up solid, but not spectacular numbers overall. Despite previously undergoing Tommy John surgery in college, Clarke has proven to be durable in his 4 seasons in the Diamondbacks farm system as he’s never missed a start to date.Risk: The only risk is Clarke lacks the stuff to stick in the rotation and would have to move to the bullpen. The lack of a plus pitch is concerning a bit, but again makes up for it with an advanced understanding of how to attack hitters. Even if he fails to stick in the rotation, I still think he’d be a reliable contributor out of the bullpen as such a move would accentuate his strengths.Likely 2019 Assignment: Clarke has nothing left to prove at the minor league level after a successful 2018 season in Reno. However, I still think he starts the year in AAA due with the MLB rotation set and would be the first man up on the pecking order. Personally I would like to see him get a long reliever role with the team so he can face MLB hitters, even if that means he throws a lot less innings. The team does have two highly regarded pitching prospects at the top of the system, so it won’t hurt the team’s depth too much to give Clarke an MLB trial. If he’s not ready, send him back to Reno and stretch him out to be a starter. ETA: 2019 Season
