NEW YORK -- Outfielder Scott Kingery has been a pleasant surprise for the Phillies this season. Along with being productive from the leadoff spot, Kingery entered Saturday's game leading the team in slugging percentage (.568) and OPS (.923).

Manager Gabe Kapler is so impressed by what he has seen from Kingery that he went so far as to say that Kingery’s future is as a No. 3 hitter.

“I think he is doing a great job in the leadoff spot, but he loves to swing, and contact comes quick,” Kapler said. “He is seeing more pitches now than he has before, which is why I’m more comfortable with him in the leadoff spot. [But] I think he can hold down a three-hole spot at some time.”

When told what Kapler said about hitting third, Kingery said, “I’m not a typical three-hole hitter. Any spot in the lineup, there is really not that much of a difference, except maybe sometimes you have more runners on base [hitting third]. But you are really hitting in that spot one time a game.”

Watching Kingery swing the bat isn’t the only thing that has satisfied Kapler. He is pleased by the way Kingery has patrolled center field, a position he has played regularly since May 19. Not bad for a guy who started his Major League career last year as a second baseman.

“It has been a really good, fast adjustment to the outfield,” Kapler said. “I think he is getting better jumps. His reads are better. His angles are better. He is closing in better on the shallow fly ball.”

It took Kingery awhile to get adjusted to playing the outfield again. Before reaching the Major Leagues, the last time he played the outfield was when he was playing college baseball with the University of Arizona.

“I’m used to playing the outfield, but I had to get used to getting back in the swing of things,” Kingery said. “I had to see some balls off the bat in order to get readjusted in the outfield. … It gets better every day. More game action, more reps out there. I’m seeing more balls off the bat -- makes it feel better.”