That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies: An early projection of the 2018 major-league roster

By John Town

SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 13: Bob McClure #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies makes a pitching change during the seventh inning of the Spring Training Game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 13, 2017 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. Baltimore defeated Philadelphia 6-4. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 13: Bob McClure #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies makes a pitching change during the seventh inning of the Spring Training Game against the Baltimore Orioles on March 13, 2017 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida. Baltimore defeated Philadelphia 6-4. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – JULY 16: Andrew Knapp #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies grounds out in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 16, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Catchers

  1. Jorge Alfaro
  2. Andrew Knapp

This is where things start to get messy. The Phils have three major-league catchers on their roster, but will likely only carry two on their roster. Alfaro doesn’t have any more options left, so he will be in the majors. This leaves a debate between Knapp and Cameron Rupp.

Ultimately, I think the team tries to shop Rupp and keep Knapp as their backup. They can sell Rupp’s starting experience from the last two years to some team. Rupp hits for more power than Knapp, but that comes at the cost of a significantly lower batting average and on-base percentage. Philadelphia is showing a preference for high-OBP players, which Knapp is and Rupp isn’t.

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