Flexibility Could Help Andrew Knapp

Andrew Knapp (Photo by Tomasso de Rosa)

PHILADELPHIA—No team added more young players to its 40-man roster in November than the Phillies. But while the addition of 11 prospects may be a sign of the rebuilding club’s improved minor league system, it could cost the team roster flexibility in 2017.

“Much of our depth at Triple-A is going to be young prospects,” general manager Matt Klentak said. “That poses some challenges. You might have to promote a young player sooner than you’d like because of roster limitations.

“But it’s also pretty exciting. Phillies fans are going to start to see more young players being called up in 2017.”

Switch-hitting catcher Andrew Knapp could be a beneficiary of the tight roster. He is one of three catchers on the 40-man roster along incumbent Cameron Rupp and fellow prospect Jorge Alfaro. If the Phillies don’t enough flexibility to add a fourth catcher, such as veteran non-roster signee Bryan Holaday, Knapp could make the club.

“I don’t think we need a veteran backup catcher,” Klentak said. “If it works out that way, we’re open-minded to it. But Knapp . . . has a full year of at-bats in Triple-A. At some point for both he and Alfaro, we’re going to have to find out what those guys can do at the big league level.”

The Phillies made Knapp a second-round pick out of California in 2013. He hit .266/.330/.390 with eight home runs in 107 games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2016. Big league manager Pete Mackanin liked Knapp’s swing in spring training and took a look at the player at first base as well as catcher.

“You would love to have a veteran catcher who knows what he’s doing to help pitchers get out of trouble,” Mackanin said. “But at some point you have to . . . put your faith in certain guys and hope that they come through. That’s where I am with Knapp.”

Knapp also played outfield in college. If he returns to Triple-A, he may have to put his versatility to use because Alfaro will get significant time behind the plate.

PHIL-UPS

• Former Phillies third baseman Charlie Hayes has been hired as a coach for the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League club.

• Second baseman Tyler Henson, who spent the 2013-15 seasons in the Phillies system, will serve as a coach at short-season Williamsport.