Philadelphia Phillies: Which players in the minors will we see first?
With the trade deadline still months away, the Philadelphia Phillies roster should stay consistent for the time being.
The only potential shake-ups come from the possibility of injuries, which we’ve already seen with Clay Buchholz and Jeremy Hellickson, or call-ups of top prospects. Philadelphia Phillies fans are highly anticipating the debuts of top prospects J.P. Crawford and Nick Williams, but are they going to be the first prospects called up from Lehigh Valley this season? Here’s a look at the top five most likely options to be called up early this season:
- Zach Eflin – Pitcher
When Clay Buchholz was diagnosed partially torn right flexor pronator mass, it became evident that the Phillies were going to have to fill a hole in the rotation. Eflin is the most likely candidate to fill that spot. The burly 6’6” right-hander went 3-5 with a 5.54 ERA last season with the big league club before his knees gave out on him, prompting season-ending surgery.
Eflin, now pain-free, started the season on the disabled list before being activated for his first start of the season on Tuesday night. Eflin threw five scoreless innings, allowing five hits and walking three.
He was just starting to have real success at the big league level before his knees plagued him again and it’s not crazy to think he could regain that success if called up again.
An added bonus: Eflin’s rotation spot matches Buchholz’s, which would allow him to seamlessly slide into the starting rotation.
- Jesmuel Valentin – Second Base
Valentin was the final cut from the Phillies position players and could be the first one called up. Valentin is hitting .476 with the IronPigs, with a double and five RBI.
The Philadelphia Phillies infield is crowded, but Valentin has played so well in spring training and the start of the season that he may eventually force the Phillies hand.
Valentin is in Triple-A to have the opportunity to play every day and has run with the opportunity. Valentin is almost certainly going to be a September call-up, but if the Phillies need infield help before then, Valentin is the guy.
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The most likely candidate to be called up barring an injury at the catcher position, Alfaro is raking in Lehigh Valley.
Through seven games, Alfaro is hitting .414, with five RBI and a home run. Alfaro is the Phillies catcher of the future and if he continues to hit at this pace, we could see him in Philadelphia sooner than later.
The prize jewel of the Cole Hamels trade in 2015 is playing better than some of the other prospects acquired in the deal, as he looks to build off last season when he hit .285 in Double-A Reading.
- Nick Pivetta – Pitcher
Another candidate to fill Buchholz’s rotation spot, Pivetta is on this list based on his stellar spring training and spot on the 40-man roster. Pivetta carried a 2.25 ERA in spring training and carried that over into the regular season, pitching six strong innings for the IronPigs in his first start.
Pivetta gets the ball again on Saturday against Pawtucket, the team he shut down on the first weekend of the season.
Pivetta, acquired in the Philadelphia Phillies trade that sent Jonathan Papelbon to Washington, is just 24 years old and holds a 3.69 career minor league ERA.
- Jake Thompson – Pitcher
The final candidate to fill the major league rotation vacancy, Thompson has had a terrible start to the 2017 season. Thompson has allowed 15 home runs in 4.2 innings this season with the IronPigs, good for a 28.93 ERA.
After dominating AAA last season, Thompson was shelled by MLB hitters when he got called up, going just 3-6 with a 5.70 ERA.
Until he can re-find his success, Thompson will be a distant third on the MLB call-up order for starting pitchers. Philadelphia Phillies fans may be disappointed to not see names like Crawford, Williams or Roman Quinn on this list, but each has struggled mightily in the early season.
Next: Look for Zach Eflin to take over for Clay Buchholtz
Crawford is hitting just .107 and is striking out over 35 percent of his at-bats. Williams is slightly better but is still hitting just .200. Quinn is hitting .276, but has 10 strikeouts in 29 at-bats, and has no open spot in the majors with Michael Saunders and Howie Kendrick playing well.
Fans will probably have to wait until September to see most of the guys on this list, but unforeseen circumstances could bring them to Philadelphia a lot sooner.