Phillies Prospects to Watch During the Upcoming Spring Training
By John Town
The Catchers
I lumped Jorge Alfaro and Andrew Knapp together because they are both in the same boat this spring. Both are on the 40-man roster and both are expected to compete for the backup catcher position behind Cameron Rupp.
More from Phillies Prospects
- Prospect Andrew Baker could help Phillies bullpen in 2023
- Phillies manager suggests Andrew Painter could make Opening Day roster
- Phillies No. 1-ranked prospect Andrew Painter receives national accolade
- Phillies top prospect Andrew Painter continues to dominate
- Philadelphia Phillies prospects thriving is a positive sign for the future
Knapp was added to the 40-man roster this winter after he posted a .266/.330/.390 line with eight home runs for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. This came after he hit for a 1.050 OPS with Double-A Reading in the second half of the 2015 season.
Meanwhile, Alfaro battered Double-A pitchers with a .285 batting average and .783 OPS as well as collecting 15 home runs and 67 RBI in 97 games.
He also made strides in his development behind the plate, ensuring he will stay at catcher in the future.
Alfaro got the chance to play in the big-leagues in September once Reading’s season wrapped up. His playing time was limited as Cameron Rupp and now-departed veteran A.J. Ellis both got a majority of the starts. Alfaro made just 17 plate appearances, collecting two singles.
The backup catching position is wide-open as Ellis is now a Marlin. Knapp is more likely to get the job because he spent all of last year in Triple-A. However, if Alfaro can show improvement against major-league caliber pitching, it would give the coaching staff something to consider as they figure out who will be sent back to the major-leagues.