Phillies: Roster unknowns poised to make an impact

These three players can make a noticeable impact on the 2020 Phillies roster

We know the Phillies have a potent starting lineup, along with a pitching staff with a few more questions than answers, especially in the bullpen.

But now, with an expanded, 60-man player pool format for a fast-paced, three-week summer camp —  coupled with expectations of increased player movement and usage concerns — each member of the Phillies’ roster has the opportunity to make an impact.

As many as half of these players (30) will be allowed to be with the team at Citizens Bank Park come Opening Day on July 24. After two weeks, rosters will shrink to 28, followed by 26 one month into the season.

Among the invitees include top prospects Alec Bohm and Spencer Howard, veterans Josh Harrison, Francisco Liriano, and Bud Norris. There are even invitees, Howard included, that have never pitched above Double-A, such as Connor Brogdon and Garrett Cleavinger.

In a shortened campaign, they may just get a chance to prove their worth. With new rules and rosters structured for a sprint rather than a marathon, there may be impact names that don’t jump off the page in terms of popularity — not necessarily among the Phillies organization and fanbase, but, rather throughout Major League Baseball. Here are three such players:

1. Damon Jones could push for a spot on the Phillies roster

A name that is beginning to generate some excitement around the organization, Damon Jones is a guy that continues to defy the “ceiling” laid out for him coming out of college.

Jones is a 6-foot-5 southpaw that continues to harness his already impressive stuff. He’ll reach 96-97 miles per hour with the fastball, and has a hammer curve, mixing in two average offerings in a slider and change-up. Durable (more than 100 innings in each of the past two MiLB seasons), Jones recorded 152 strikeouts in 114 innings last season at Double-A Reading.

If Jones maintains his command, he profiles well as a starter for the future. In this shortened season, Jones has a better chance at shining in the bullpen, where he can maximize his already nasty repertoire as a back-end lefty, a role the Phillies have sorely needed to fill for some time now.

2. Deivy Grullon might be the Phillies backup catcher

He may not on the top 30 prospects page, nor is he hitting .350 in Triple-A ball, but catcher Deivy Grullon has a chance to be an impact piece to the interesting 2020 puzzle.

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Andrew Knapp has yet to show the organization that he can hit major league pitching, and perhaps it’s time to give Grullon a crack at the backup catcher role.

And, with the signing of J.T. Realmuto in question (although it shouldn’t be), the Phillies need some semblance of a backup plan, which may turn out to be Grullon. He’s hit across all levels of the farm system; the knocks on him have been his defensive development, which has vastly improved over the past couple of seasons.

In a “sprint” kind of season, offense may surpass defensive ability in some aspects, and Grullon may present a bigger threat at the dish than Knapp.

3. Alec Bohm isn’t an unknown player but his impact in 2020 is

He may not be an unknown in terms of name recognition, but Alec Bohm is of unknown value in terms of major league production.

With the DH being introduced into the National League this shortened season, Jay Bruce is the likely candidate to fill that role. However, Bruce has failed to hit above .230 in each of the past two seasons, which is where Bohm comes in. In a potential platooning DH role, Bohm faces left-handers and Bruce hits against righties.

Bohm, without a doubt, needs some seasoning in Triple-A before he becomes an everyday player, but in a season filled with seemingly endless questions, Bohm can be an answer, while also providing some more excitement about the future of the ball club.