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Phillies: Five prospects that could be called up by the end of 2017

By John Town

MIAMI, FL - JULY 09: Rhys Hoskins #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies and the U.S. Team attempts to field the throw against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JULY 09: Rhys Hoskins #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies and the U.S. Team attempts to field the throw against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 13: Jorge Alfaro of the World Team bats against the U.S. Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Target Field on July 13, 2014 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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.

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