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Alfaro, Quinn More Likely to Be Called-Up Than Crawford, Williams

By George Stockburger

Mar 7, 2016; Bradenton, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Jorge Alfaro (68) bats during the seventh inning of a spring training baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. The Phillies won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Bradenton, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Jorge Alfaro (68) bats during the seventh inning of a spring training baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. The Phillies won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Don’t expect to see the Phillies top hitters get called up in 2016

Phillies fans have endured a long, arduous season filled with injuries and losing. The prospects of having your best young talent on the way is the number one thing keeping fans afloat in the dog days of summer.

However, it looks like we may not get to see two of the biggest names in the Phillies farm system any point this season.

On 97.5 The Fanatic, ESPN’s Jayson Stark predicts that neither top prospect J.P. Crawford nor outfielder Nick Williams will be called-up to Philadelphia.

"I’m not getting the feeling Nick Williams will be called up. I don’t think they’ve made a final decision. Their attitude with Nick Williams from the beginning has been they want him to earn this. In the last two and a half weeks he’s hit .166, 22 strikeouts, one walk, only 10 hits, no homers."

Stark also pointed towards the fact the Phillies would have to move Williams onto the 40-man roster, and service time could be an issue. The lack of walks is extremely troubling for the Phillies, as well as the down-swing in batting average.

As for Crawford, he’s hitting just .253 with Lehigh Valley with 39 walks and 48 strikeouts.

Aug 7, 2014; Frisco, TX, USA; Frisco Rough Riders designated hitter Jorge Alfaro (8) bats during the game against the Springfield Cardinals at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Springfield beat Frisco 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2014; Frisco, TX, USA; Frisco Rough Riders designated hitter Jorge Alfaro (8) bats during the game against the Springfield Cardinals at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Springfield beat Frisco 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Instead of Crawford and Williams, the Phillies could be looking at two of their other top ranked hitters, who are currently with Reading.

"What’s interesting is, do they call up (Jorge) Alfaro from Reading? They need a third catcher in September, they don’t have a true veteran back-up kind of guy in the (minor league) system, so the choice is really him or Andrew Knapp. They’re both on the 40-man (roster).(The Phillies) love Andrew Knapp, but he’s had a tough second half (of the year). He’s not homered since the first week of June, doesn’t have an extra-base hit in August, so you’d think I’d be Alfaro."

Alfaro has also struggled over the last two weeks, hitting just .195 over Readings’ last 10 games. He does have 13 home runs in 369 at-bats this year, which means he averages one long-ball every 28 at-bats.

Stark also pointed towards a player the Phillies might want to get a look at in pinstripes later this season.

"Oct. 14, 2014; Mesa, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Roman Quinn plays for the Mesa Solar Sox during an Arizona Fall League game against the Scottsdale Scorpions at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsThe other guy who’s really interesting to see what they do with is Roman Quinn. He’s kind of this generation’s Jimmy Rollins when he stays healthy. He’s had a lot of time on the disabled list, he hasn’t been good since he came off (the DL) this time. I think he’s 50/50 (chance of being called-up)."

It feels like Roman Quinn has been in the Phillies organization forever, but he’s only 23-years-old. He’s hitting .295 this year with 34 stolen bases and six triples in 73 games. Injuries are the biggest issue for Quinn, who has missed time with injuries to his achillies, wrist, and hamstring.

Quinn is hitting just .205 in his last 10 games with Reading, but has eight hits and five walks.

Reading currently has the best record in all of professional baseball, and is expected to make a deep run in the Eastern League playoffs. The last game of the Eastern League playoffs is September 17th, so there’d still be time for either Quinn or Alfaro to come in for the final stretch of the season.

Next: Examining Phillies Short-Season Pitching Prospects

Rosters will expand on September 1, allowing the Phillies to have 40 players in the dugout instead of 25. An influx of pitchers such as David Buchannan, Phil Klein, and Alec Asher could be filling the starting rotation, and a mass of bullpen arms will get the chance to shine.

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