Jorge Alfaro, Andrew Knapp stand out in Phillies' exhibition win

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CLEARWATER, Fla. — Jorge Alfaro has shown it all in recent days at Phillies camp.

Big power at the plate.

A rocket throwing arm.

And some impressive foot speed.

“He’s the full package,” manager Pete Mackanin said after the Phillies opened the exhibition season with an 8-3 win over the University of Tampa on Sunday afternoon at Bright House Field (see story).

Alfaro, a 22-year-old catcher, was one of the headliners in the Phillies’ return in the trade that sent Cole Hamels to the Texas Rangers in July. A left ankle injury prevented him from getting playing time in the Phillies’ system last summer, but he’s offered a glimpse of his top-of-the-chart talent in these first two weeks of camp.

After showing off his huge power daily in batting practice, Alfaro got a chance to show off some of his other tools in Sunday’s game.

He got the start behind the plate and gunned down a runner trying to steal second base in the fourth inning. Earlier in the game, he showed off his athleticism and speed by beating out a potential double-play ball that allowed the Phils to score a run in the first inning. Two innings later, he scored from second on a base hit to left. Both were good base-running plays.

“He really caught my eye,” Mackanin said. “He runs good for a catcher and the throw to second was exceptional.”

Alfaro is 6-2, 225 pounds with a rock-hard physique. He is not necessarily built for speed, but that doesn’t mean he can’t run. He played soccer as a kid back home in Colombia before signing with the Rangers for $1.3 million when he was 16.

“I give it 100 percent all the time, even running the bases,” he said.

Alfaro’s work on the bases Sunday confirmed that his ankle — which required surgery last June — is fully healed.

Catching is a premium position and the Phillies are fortunate to have two advanced-level prospects at the position. In addition to Alfaro, there is Andrew Knapp, who was the organization’s minor-league player of the year in 2015. Knapp, 24, won the Paul Owens Award after hitting .360 with 11 homers, 56 RBIs and a 1.050 OPS in 55 games at Double A Reading.

Knapp also stood out in Sunday’s game. He started as the designated hitter, had a two-run single in the first inning, then showed some versatility by playing three innings at first base.

“I like Knapp’s swing from both sides of the plate,” Mackanin said of the switch hitter. “I like his approach. He looks like a hitter.”

Come April, the Phillies will likely split Alfaro and Knapp, assigning one to Double A and the other to Triple A. Having missed time last season with an injury, Alfaro is probably a candidate to go to Reading with Knapp opening at Triple A Lehigh Valley, though nothing is etched in stone. Both need polish behind the plate. But if they both continue to advance as receivers and hitters, the Phillies will have a good problem with two good young players at a premium position. The solution could come in the form of versatility. Alfaro has played some first base in his minor-league career and scouts who’ve seen him believe he has the athleticism to handle a move to the outfield. Knapp played some outfield and first base at Cal-Berkeley and got some time at first base in the Arizona Fall League last year.

“It’s nice to have that in my back pocket,” Knapp said of the ability to play first base. “Whatever it takes to be in the lineup. If that’s where I end up ... as long as I’m in the big leagues playing every day, that’s fine.”

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