Call to the pen
Fansided

Philadelphia Phillies acquire J.T. Realmuto for four pieces

By Benjamin Chase

Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto throws while wearing a patriotic chest protector during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Marlins Park in Miami on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. (David Santiago/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto throws while wearing a patriotic chest protector during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Marlins Park in Miami on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. (David Santiago/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 25: Philadelphia Phillies Catcher Jorge Alfaro (38) motions to first during the MLB game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Jeff Chevrier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Alfaro

If Realmuto is the best athlete in catcher’s gear on the field, Alfaro is the best raw athlete that plays catcher in the major leagues right now. He’s really the only other catcher in Realmuto’s range in sprint speed. Alfaro also possesses incredible raw power at the plate.

It’s getting to all those tools and doing so consistently that has been the issue for Alfaro, though even at his raw production level in 2018, he was an above average catcher at just 25, hitting 10 home runs in 377 plate appearances. He needs to be more consistent behind the plate and more patient at the plate, but he’s still quite young and will have time to develop with this young Marlins team.

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Stewart

A 20th round pick out of Alabama high school, Will Stewart had a lot of raw potential, but the Phillies had to be patient with him. Unlike their development of Latin arms, they seem to do well with high school arms when they do select them in letting them develop at their pace.

Stewart won’t blow anyone away with velocity, but he features an excellent array of pitches that he’s shown the ability to manipulate for movement. He has plus command and control, which allowed him to tear through low-A in 2018, sporting a 2.06 ERA over 113 2/3 innings. The lefty will get his shot a high-A in 2019 and could be a solid #3/#4 starter.

International money

After pushing their chips heavily in on the Mesa brothers, the Marlins were left with very little in international money. The reported amount the Phillies sent was $250,000. That won’t get them into the market for prized Cuban shortstop Yolbert Sanchez, but it could help them land a few players at the end of the signing period before the end of spring.

Next. 2019 MLB top 150 prospects. dark

All in all, this was a very, very good return for the Miami Marlins and an “all-in” move by the Philadelphia Phillies. It will be interesting to watch how it plays out in 2019 and beyond.

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