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Phillies Fans on Prospect Watch as Reading Eliminated from Playoffs

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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The Reading Fightin Phils magical season came to an end Saturday night. Despite having the best record in professional baseball, the Trenton Thunder eliminated the Fightins’ in the semifinals.

With Readings’ season now complete, the Phillies are likely to call-up a couple of prospects to the major leagues.

Two names that pop-out on a list of possible call-ups are catcher Jorge Alfaro and outfielder Roman Quinn. Both Alfaro and Quinn are on the Phillies 40-man roster, and Alfaro spent a night on the Phillies bench after the Carlos Ruiz trade.

The only other player in Reading on the Phillies 40-man roster is pitcher Dalier Hinojosa, who’s been working his way back from injury. Hinojosa pitched in 10 games for the Phillies at the start of the season prior to suffering a right hand contusion.

His last appearance for the Phillies was on April 28 against the Nationals.

Jorge Alfaro is the intriguing name that will draw fans to the ballpark in September. Acquired in the Cole Hamels trade, the Phillies have high-hopes that Alfaro can be a rare five-tool catcher.

Alfaro hit .285 with 15 home runs and 21 doubles this season. His 105 strikeouts are concerning, especially since he only walked 22 times. Behind the plate, Alfaro had just six errors, and caught 33 batters stealing.

It feels as if Roman Quinn has been in the Phillies organization forever, however the speedy outfielder is just 23-years-old. Hampered throughout his career by major injuries, Quinn played in 77 games this season. He hit .302 with 16 doubles, six triples, six home runs, and a career-high 36 stolen bases.

Converting from shortstop to center field, Quinn is among the logjam of center fielders in the Phillies organization. He played a limited amount of games in both left and right field as the Phillies try to sort through the unknown talent both down on the farm and in Philadelphia.

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Should the Phillies wish to call anyone up other than Alfaro, Quinn, or Hinojosa they would have to designate a player on the 40-man roster for assignment. Frank Herrmann, Michael Mariot, Patrick Schuster, Emmanuel Burris, and Jimmy Paredes are all possible candidates to be DFA’d.

The only other prospects listed on the Phillies top 30 rankings worth a call-up are starters Nick Pivetta and Ben Lively. Both starters began the season with Reading, but eventually moved up to Lehigh Valley. Once the Phillies shutdown Jerad Eickhoff and Jake Thompson later this season, Pivetta and/or Lively could possibly get a start in for experience sake.

Lively was recently honored with the Paul Owens award, given to players within the Phillies farm system who had the best seasons. Dylan Cozens and Rhys Hoskins also received the honor.

Next: Phillies Call-Up Joely Rodriguez

Reliever Jimmy Cordero is on the 40-man roster, but is not ready to make the jump after just being promoted to Lehigh Valley.

Top prospects J.P. Crawford, Nick Williams, Andrew Knapp, and Dylan Cozens are not expected to join the Phillies in 2016.

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