Not So Fast, Phillies Fans
By Tal Venada
When you read the comments on Phillies’ sites, you hear passionate fans voicing their displeasure with disappointing results: For instance, Cameron Rupp is playing instead of Jorge Alfaro or Andrew Knapp. Why does Rupp (36 ABs) continue to start? They’re not giving Knapp (14 ABs) a chance. Alfaro is hot! When will we see him?
Behind and at the plate, the faithful envision lighttower power and a feared competitor with a .300 average. Yet, because he doesn’t have 50 at-bats for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, general manager Matt Klentak will evaluate the receiver over a two-month period. The GM will travel to Allentown near the end of April and May and scout him personally. But if you’re getting the impression the youngster has to earn a promotion, you’re right.
Catchers:
- Rupp: 11 Gms., 36 AB, a .167 Avg., 1 HR, 3 RBI and a .629 OPS.
- Knapp: 6 Gms., 14 AB, a .214 Avg., 0 HR, 1 RBI and a .710 OPS.
- Alfaro: 12 AAA Gms., 48 AB, a .333 Avg., 1 HR, 5 RBI and an .818 OPS.
Don’t forget – for a catcher – Rupp hit .252 with 16 home runs last summer and earned the starting job. Remember, they didn’t immediately hand the regular role to Utley either. So, why would they treat Alfaro differently?
"FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “A good catcher is the quarterback, the carburetor, the lead dog, the pulse taker, the traffic cop and sometimes a lot of unprintable things, but no team gets very far without one.” – Miller Huggins"