Notes: Herrera's mental game; Williams up

PHILADELPHIA – Odúbel Herrera solved the Phillies’ massive center-field problem in less than a month. It is his job now.

He entered Tuesday’s series opener against the Braves batting .273 with four homers, 14 RBIs and a .780 OPS. He has been their best defensive player, leading the team with five defensive runs saved, according to FanGraphs. He has played so well that it is almost difficult to believe that he opened the season at the team’s alternate site as the Phillies first tried Adam Haseley, Roman Quinn and Mickey Moniak in center.

“It’s great to put that conversation and debate to rest,” Herrera said Tuesday through the team’s interpreter at Citizens Bank Park. “I just want to show that I’m here and I can still play. I still have a long way to go as a center fielder in MLB. I know I have the ability and the talent, and I’ve worked hard every day to show that I’m the right guy.”

If Herrera seems more focused at times on the field, it's because he is. Phillies outfield and baserunning coach Paco Figueroa works closely with him, much like former Phillies coach Juan Samuel. Figueroa preaches routine and preparation and the importance of the mental side of the game.

He offers Herrera daily reminders.

“I got a quote from [University of Alabama football coach] Nick Saban,” Figueroa said. “He says, ‘Do the right thing at the right time all the time.’ Odúbel fell in love with it. He smiled when he heard it. When you go about your business, you just do the right thing at the right time all the time. Preparation is going to help you in baseball. You can make a difference offensively, defensively and baserunning. He’s been making so many good baserunning decisions. At times before, he’d make mental mistakes. But we’ve let him know how important every out is.”

Figueroa said he utters that quote every day to Herrera. He also picked up something from Phillies security operations supervisor Kelly Davis. Davis used to work security with the Chicago Bulls. He got close with Dennis Rodman, and whenever Rodman got out of whack, Davis raised his hand to his nose and told him to “lock it back in.”

Figueroa does the same with Herrera.

“Lock it in,” he says.

“It’s a step forward,” Figueroa said. “It’s the importance of that preparation. Every pitch matters. Every inning matters. Look at the best players. Look at their routine. Freddie Freeman does his routine every day so he knows where his swing is. And that’s what preparation is. The best of the best have a routine.”

“I take BP very seriously now,” Herrera said. “When I’m out there in the outfield, I try to work on my jumps. I want to have good jumps. I want to be under the ball all the time. I think a big part is being very responsible or serious when you’re out there. And during the game, my goal is to remain focused, pitch by pitch. I want to be locked in every pitch.”

Asked how much motivation has played a role in his success this season -- the motivation to prove he can be an All-Star again and more -- Herrera said it is a factor.

“It’s also showing everybody that the best is yet to come,” he said.

Williams gets the call
The Phillies selected the contract of infielder/outfielder Luke Williams from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He took Nick Maton’s spot on the 26-man roster and Scott Kingery’s spot on the 40-man roster.

Williams pinch-hit for Aaron Nola in the fifth. He bunted for an infield hit -- his first Major League knock -- and reached third when Drew Smyly’s throw to first went down the right-field line.

Williams, 24, batted .352 with a .904 OPS in 82 plate appearances with the IronPigs before he joined Team USA last month for the Olympic qualifying tournament. He went 8-for-18 with one double, one triple, one home run, six RBIs and a 1.278 OPS with Team USA. His spot on the 40-man means he is no longer eligible to play in the Olympics next month in Tokyo.

He’s OK with it.

“I can’t put it into words,” Williams said. “It’s been one heck of a ride so far. I can’t ask for anything more. … The Olympics is obviously peak performance, the best of the best. It would've been great to be in the Olympics, to go to Japan, but I'll take this.”

Williams has started at least 11 games at every position except pitcher and catcher in the Minor Leagues. He said he has eight gloves, but he uses three.

“I have a third baseman glove, another infield glove, and an outfield glove,” he said. “But I have some old ones that I keep for an emergency. But I have one bag that's pretty much just filled with gloves and shoes.”