Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth has never had the opportunity to be a true, full-time player in the major leagues. Always good for platoon duties, Werth has a dynamic skill set that can benefit a fantasy lineup, if given consistent at-bats. Friday night was certainly beneficial, as he tied Phillies franchise records with three home runs and eight RBIs in a 10-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

For ESPN’s box score, recap and game video, click here.

With his monster performance, Werth upped his season stat line to .288 with 9 home runs, 26 RBIs, 21 runs and 6 stolen bases. He stands at 6-foot-5 and is versatile enough to hit for power, steal bases and play multiple outfield positions. The latter fact has kept him in the lineup and producing, as he can spell Shane Victorino in center and split time with free agent acquisition Geoff Jenkins in right.

Friday night was Werth’s fifth straight start in center, a sign that manager Charlie Manuel may be more open to using him as an everyday player.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer on Wednesday:

Victorino, who opened the season as the Phillies’ everyday centerfielder, had played center in the previous 23 games he had started this season. But Werth had started 15 games in center while Victorino spent time on the disabled list last month with a strained right calf.

And from the Philadelphia Daily News in late April:

“It’s definitely a lot easier to play when you know you are going to be in the lineup day in and day out,” said Werth, who turns 29 next month. “I think I’ve proven that I can play every day and that I want to play every day. I’m here to help the club any way I can. If that’s being a part-time, platoon bench player or if that’s playing every day, so be it . . . It’s out of my control.”

The Daily News story does a good job of giving some background information on Werth, who began his career as a catcher in the Baltimore Orioles organization.

Werth’s career tendencey was to produce in bunches, miss several games at a time, then get back in the lineup and rack up numbers again. This season could be a different story because Manuel is so comfortable with Victorino in right and intent on getting Werth more experience in center. Jenkins is the odd man out for playing time, but even when he does play, chances are improving that the opportunity is at Victorino’s, not Werth’s, expense.

Werth is available in most leagues and certainly worth a look in hopes that he does claim an everyday role. If you’re interested in his services, you’d better hit the waiver wire quickly; even the worst fantasy owner will be tipped off by the three-homer performance.

More thoughts …
WasWatching.com uses Jayson Werth’s outburst as a springboard for a Dennis Werth story.

All Things Philly Sports says Werth went from “Werthless” to “Werth his weight in gold” this season.

PhillyBurbs.com says Werth’s mom has got it going on.

Dustin Hockensmith is editor of ImaginaryDiamond.com. He can be contacted at dhockensmith[at]fantasysports101.net.