Phillies: Five prospects that could be called up by the end of 2017
Phillies fans have been banging the gavel all season for prospects to be called up, and there are several who could be in Philadelphia by the end of 2017.
With a 28-59 record at the All-Star Break, this season is no longer about wins and losses for the Phillies. Instead, it is about the development of the younger players on the team and figuring out which players they want on their team in the future. Part of that development involves promoting some of your top prospects and seeing how they perform at the major-league level.
Several of the team’s top-level prospects have made their debuts this season like Nick Williams, Nick Pivetta, Ben Lively, and Ricardo Pinto. In the last two and a half months of the year, we could several more make their way to the majors. Let’s take a look at five who could be in the major-leagues by the end of 2017.
First baseman Rhys Hoskins
Rhys Hoskins has been one of the top hitters this season not just in the Phillies farm system, but in the minor-leagues as well. His .961 OPS, 66 RBI, and 175 total bases all lead the International League. He is second in home runs to his teammate Dylan Cozens with 20.
Overall, Hoskins has a .289/.385/.576 slash line with 88 hits in 88 games. Nearly half of Hoskins’ hits have gone for extra bases with 43 extra-base hits, including four triples. His plate discipline has been strong as well with 47 walks compared to 53 strikeouts in 358 plate appearances. For what it’s worth, Hoskins’ defense has been strong as well with a .997 fielding percentage.
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Thanks to his stellar offensive performance this year, Hoskins was selected to represent the team in the Futures Game Sunday as part of the All-Star Game festivities. He started the game in the cleanup spot, being hit by a pitch and singling in three plate appearances.
At the game, Hoskins was asked whether or not he thinks he’s ready for the major-leagues.
He definitively said, “Of course, I’m ready.” From his performance this year, he certainly looks like he is.
The only thing standing in Hoskins’ way is Tommy Joseph. He leads the team in home runs and has performed well since a rough start to the season. As long as Joseph is on the team, it will be hard for Hoskins to reach the majors. However, there is speculation that Joseph could be traded at the deadline at the end of this month, which would give Hoskins a golden ticket to jump right into the major-league starting lineup.
Catcher Jorge Alfaro
We already got a glimpse of Jorge Alfaro last season when the rosters expanded at the end of the season, and it’s likely that will happen again this year. He is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster and he is almost certain to come back to Philadelphia once Lehigh Valley is done for the year.
Alfaro didn’t see a whole lot of time in the majors last year as he had to fight for playing time with Cameron Rupp and A.J. Ellis. He collected two singles in 17 plate appearances and struck out eight times. He allowed one passed ball and caught one batter stealing in four games.
Alfaro started off the year well, hitting .333 with an .896 OPS in April. His batting average has dipped every month since and is hitting .129 in nine games this month. As a whole this season, Alfaro has a .245/.300/.365 slash line in 72 games with Lehigh Valley.
Next year Alfaro will be in the majors no matter how he performs because he is out of option years. He will turn 25 years old next year and is as ready as he’ll ever be for the major-leagues. He will have to work through his plate discipline struggles in the big-leagues, which could take some time and patience. That process will start this September when the rosters expand.
Outfielder Roman Quinn
Roman Quinn is such a maddening player because every time he picks up some momentum and looks like he could be the team’s future leadoff hitter, he winds up on the disabled list. This year’s Quinn injury is a strained ulnar collateral ligament. This type of injury can often lead to Tommy John surgery, but Quinn’s was not severe enough to where he needed it. Instead, he received an injection and is currently rehabbing in Florida.
Quinn was projected to miss 4-6 weeks of action and is expected to return at the end of July. With Nick Williams and Cameron Perkins both in the majors, Quinn should have no trouble getting the playing time he needs in Triple-A. He was strong this season before getting hurt, stealing 10 bases and hitting for a .274/.344/.389 slash line in 45 games.
Quinn has already shown he is ready for the majors, collecting 15 hits in 57 at-bats with five stolen bases in 15 games last year after being called up in September. He manned all three outfield positions and very well could have started the year in the majors if the team didn’t sign Michael Saunders or trade for Howie Kendrick.
Next: Cesar Hernandez begins rehab stint
If Quinn can stay on the field the rest of the season, he should be in the majors when September call-ups roll around and if he does well could be on the Opening Day roster next year.