Jorge Alfaro
Jorge Alfaro seemingly cemented his spot on the Phillies opening day roster during his time last year. Alfaro hit .318 with 5 HR’s and 14 RBI’s in just 114 plate appearances last year. He is currently ranked as baseball’s sixth best catching prospect and the Phillies’ fifth ranked prospect. However, he arguably has already had the largest impact at the Major League level.
Alfaro’s presence in Philadelphia makes for one important decision new manager Gabe Kapler will have to make. Alfaro has made it clear that he belongs in the big leagues, but with Andrew Knapp and Cameron Rupp being mainstays behind the plate in recent years, Alfaro is not guaranteed the starting job. However, Alfaro is out of minor league options and the organization must have him on the major league roster.
This means all signs point towards Alfaro making the opening day roster so he will compete for the starting role during Spring Training and could be poised to breakout in 2018.