Phillies: Five things we learned from the Rockies series

May 25, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph (19) has ice dumped on him by catcher Cameron Rupp (29) and third baseman Andres Blanco (4) after hitting a walk off RBI single during the eleventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph (19) has ice dumped on him by catcher Cameron Rupp (29) and third baseman Andres Blanco (4) after hitting a walk off RBI single during the eleventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 29, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Andrew Knapp (34) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Andrew Knapp moves towards a starting role

As we highlighted earlier this week, the Phillies appear to be moving towards Andrew Knapp as their starting catcher. There’re several reasons why Knapp should be getting more opportunities behind the plate. First off, the team needs to discover what they have in one of their top offensive prospects. The value of a switch-hitting catcher is too high for the team to have him rot on the bench.

That fact carries even more weight knowing Jorge Alfaro is likely to return no later than September.

Follow up with Cameron Rupp’s performance at and behind the plate, both of which have been called into question. Pitching coach Bob McClure was openly critical of Rupp’s game calling, prompting more starts for Knapp.

Knapp finished the series with two hits, one being a home run, in his two starts. Expect more appearances by Knapp going forward as the Phillies continue to look towards the future.