Phillies 2017 season grades: Catcher Jorge Alfaro
After a brief stint in the majors in 2016, Jorge Alfaro, one of the prized pieces in the Cole Hamels trade, made his presence known for the Phillies.
July 31 2015 will always be an important date to look back on in Phillies history. This was the date Cole Hamels was traded to the Texas Rangers, finally signaling the start of a new era.
Whether this will be a trade Philadelphia will look back as a date that propelled the franchise in a positive trajectory, or would be looked back upon as a failure is yet to be determined.
In 2017, we got our first extended glimpse of one of the major pieces in this deal, catcher Jorge Alfaro. Alfaro was called up in 2016, however it was a very brief stint lasting only six games. During that time, Alfaro had two hits in 16 at-bats with no runs batted in and one walk.
More from Phillies News
- Philadelphia Phillies: Most impactful transactions in 2022
- How will Rob Thomson manage the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen in 2023?
- How Phillies’ Ranger Suárez is set to build on 2022 postseason dominance
- What can Philadelphia Phillies expect from Bryson Stott in 2023?
- 3 Reasons to get excited for Phillies’ Craig Kimbrel signing
In Triple-A before his promotion, Alfaro played 84 games batting .241 with seven home runs and 43 RBI. Alfaro’s power numbers and average dipped with the jump from Double-A to Triple-A, as he had eight fewer home runs and 24 less RBI in Lehigh Valley than he had in Reading in 2016.
Alfaro was called up Aug. 4 after Andrew Knapp injured his hand after being hit with a foul ball.
In 29 games in 2017, Alfaro batted .318 with five home runs and 14 RBIs in 107 at-bats. While he did not show as much power as was expected of him when acquired, that could develop in time. Most of his time was spent in the bottom half of the order as well, which limited his RBI potential each night.
More from That Balls Outta Here
- Philadelphia Phillies: Most impactful transactions in 2022
- How will Rob Thomson manage the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen in 2023?
- How Phillies’ Ranger Suárez is set to build on 2022 postseason dominance
- What can Philadelphia Phillies expect from Bryson Stott in 2023?
- 3 Reasons to get excited for Phillies’ Craig Kimbrel signing
A concern when Alfaro was acquired was that his ankle was injured and had required surgery when he was acquired. This was concerning as no one knew how the ankle would hold up catching daily. Alfaro has seemed to be ok behind the plate, while being given off days to make sure too much stress is not put on the ankle.
It is also possible, that eventually he could be switched to a different position in order to take less stress off the surgically repaired ankle as well. Alfaro’s first extended period can be viewed as a success.
. C. Philadelphia Phillies. JORGE ALFARO. B
Alfaro did well in his limited time in the majors this season. Considering this was his first extended taste in the majors, he deserves a B for his debut season.
Next: Phillies 2017 season grade: Outfielder Nick Williams
In 2018 Alfaro should be the starting catcher with Knapp spelling him behind the plate. What that means for Cameron Rupp will be determined, but Alfaro seems like the future at the position for the time being.