Abreu upholding reputation as on-base machine

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Bobby Abreu is doing what he does. He is getting on base.

He went 1-for-2 and was hit by a pitch in Wednesday's 2-2 tie against the Braves at Bright House Field. Abreu, who is competing for a bench job as a reserve outfielder, is just 2-for-12 this spring, but he has walked a team-high five times and has a .444 on-base percentage. Nobody else has walked more than three times.

"I think he has quality at-bats," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "He battles the pitchers, makes them work, gets his swings in, and he's taking his walks. He's been a baserunner quite often. He's quality every time up there."

Are quality at-bats good enough, or does Abreu need to show some pop in his bat?

"I'd say quality at-bats," Sandberg said. "I've watched him in BP, so quality at-bats. Obviously, I'd like to see him get pitched to and allow him to get some swings. I also want to see him in right field. He's going to get more games out there, just to help him with his positioning and see how he comes along as he goes through the spring, as far as getting his legs in shape and getting good jumps. We'll see what that continues to look like."