There were a lot of doubts about Aaron Altherr at the start of the 2017 season.
He missed almost all of 2016 with a severe wrist injury and struggled mightily when he did come back (.202/.304/.293 in 227 PAs). That convinced the Phillies to hit the trade and free agent market this winter, as they brought in Howie Kendrick and Michael Saunders to man the corner outfield positions.
Altherr entered the spring as the team’s fourth outfielder, and it didn’t seem as if a breakout was coming.