Skip to main content

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #2 Catcher Jorge Alfaro

Jorge Alfaro, image- Jay Floyd

Acquired as part of the the return for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman from Texas in 2015, catcher Jorge Alfaro quickly became one of the Phillies' most promising prospects. With a powerful bat and outstanding skills behind the dish, Alfaro could become a fast moving performer for his new organization.

Originally signed by the Rangers for a reported $1.3 million in 2010 at the age of 16, the Colombia native would make his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League that same year. In 48 games, the righty hitting Alfaro posted a .221 average and a home run along with 23 RBI.

The following year, with Class A short-season Spokane, the talented catcher tallied a .300 average with six homers and 23 RBI in 45 contests.

In 2012 with full season Class A level Hickory, he batted .261 with five home runs, 34 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 74 games.

A repeat campaign with Hickory was in order the following year, although he played a handful of games for Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach. In 113 combined games, Alfaro put together a .265/.346/.463 slash line, also swiping 18 bags. He'd also spend most of his 2014 with Myrtle Beach, earning a promotion to Double-A Frisco for the closing month of the season. In 121 total games that year, Alfaro batted .261 with 17 homers and 87 RBI.

In 2015 Alfaro opened his campaign with Double-A Frisco, but missed considerable time with a broken ankle that required surgery in June.  In 49 games, he hit .253 with five home runs and 21 RBI.

After joining the Phillies organization, Alfaro played in three rehab games with the rookie level Gulf Coast League team and took part in the Florida Instructional League following the regular season.

The six-foot-two 225-pounder posted a .262 average with a homer and three RBI in 13 games with La Guaira in Venezuelan Winter League over that following off-season.

Last season, Aflaro sported a .285 batting average while slugging 15 home runs and driving in 67 runs with Double-A Reading, though he would miss time with an oblique strain, playing in just 97 minor league games.  Honored as an Eastern League All-Star with Reading, his production was enough to earn him a big league promotion during the season.  In six games with the Phillies, Alfaro was 2-for-16 (.125 avg).

The 23-year-old features big time bat speed and a smooth swing. He strikes out quite a bit, but with an ability to drive the ball to all fields, as Alfaro progresses, watch out for his developing power. The Phils will want to see him take more pitches and build better pitch recognition abilities this year.

Despite a pair of double-digit steal seasons to his credit in the minors, it doesn't appear that speed will be a major part of Alfaro's offensive game, as he has swiped just 11 bases over the past three seasons.  He is faster than most catchers, though, and that sneaky quickness could help Alfaro and his team in some clutch spots on occasion.

On defense, Alfaro is an outstanding backstop with a plus arm and good footwork. He's very athletic and loves being a field general involved in every pitch of a game.  Coaches have cited that Alfaro has taken strides with his receiving since he joined the organization. 

Alfaro, who hates to lose, plays the game with aggression and will be a player that Phillies fans will love to root for, as long as that hard-nosed approach doesn't continue to result in injuries and cost him playing time.

Look for Alfaro, who is in major league spring training, back at the top level of the sport this year.  It is likely, though, that the team will hope for a bit more seasoning at the Triple-A level to start this season. 

You can follow along with this year’s Phillies prospects countdown by clicking this link.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

PhoulBallz Interview: BlueClaws OF Justin Crawford

Justin Crawford w/ junior reporter Evan At the age of 19, outfielder Justin Crawford has played his way into the conversation of being considered as one of baseball's top prospects. The son of four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, Justin has looked every bit as impressive as his position as the 17th overall draft selection last year would have most fans thinking he should be.  He opened the season with Class A Clearwater where, in 69 games, he notched a .344/.399/.478 slash line.  And since mid-August when he was promoted to Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, the younger Crawford has posted a .300/.364/.440 line.  He's also stolen 44 bases in 52 attempts overall. And while the BlueClaws enter the final week of the regular season 1/2 game out of first place in their division, I spoke with Justin Crawford about the team's hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2018. I also asked Justin about the similarities and differences between his skillset and his father'

Jersey Shore clinches playoff berth on final day of regular season

Ottto Kemp, image- Jay Floyd With an extra-inning victory over first-half division champions Hudson Valley on Sunday, the Class A Advanced Jersey Shore BlueClaws clinched the team's first playoff appearance since 2018, winning the second-half division title. Key performers in the BlueClaws' clincher were righty hurler Jason Ruffcorn, who threw three innings of relief to earn the victory and third baseman Otto Kemp, notched three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and plated the game winning run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly.  On top of that, Kemp, who turned 24-years-old on Saturday, made an absolute game-saving defensive play to help the club hold their lead in the bottom of the 11th frame. One of Jersey Shore's most consistent performers all season long has been right-handed reliever Cam Wynne.  The Phillies' 20th round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska.  In 34 appearances, one start, the 24-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.44 ERA and a .190 batti

McGwire Stays Phony, Despite Admitting Drug Use

Mark McGwire made an effort to publicly come clean today, admitting to the world that he took performance enhancing drugs during his playing career. Steroids and human growth hormones were among the drugs that McGwire admitted to using. MLB Network featured a one on one interview with Bob Costas and McGwire on Monday evening. The broadcast was virtually garbage, thanks to McGwire. Ahead is a list of quotes from McGwire's interview. McGwire repeatedly stated his point of view that there were no dishonorable intentions involved when taking steroids, and that he was merely using them as a means to recover from varying ailments. When asked if he felt like he cheated... "As I look back now...I can see how people would say that. As far as the talent goes and the hand-eye coordination, the ability, the genetics I was given...I don't see it." "I did not take this for any strength purposes." Denial. Read on for similar B.S. He whined about the abuse he's taken at