Phillies prospect Knapp likely to be backup after A.J. Ellis goes to Marlins

It became more likely that Andrew Knapp will start the season as the backup catcher after A.J. Ellis signed with Miami on Wednesday. The Phillies will likely target a veteran catcher as a non-roster invitee to spring training. That catcher would start the season at triple A to pair with Jorge Alfaro.

Knapp batted .266 with a .330 on-base percentage in 403 at-bats last season at triple-A Lehigh Valley. General manager Matt Klentak said Monday that Knapp could start the season in the majors as the backup to Cameron Rupp.

"I think the fact that Knapp has got a full season of triple A at-bats[helps his cause], although he didn't hit .300, he hit .260-something," Mackanin said. "When you go to the big leagues, you have to learn how to hit in the big leagues. So whether he hit .260 or .300 in the minor leagues doesn't matter to me, it's how he responds at the big-league level. You would love to have a veteran catcher that knows what he's doing to help pitchers get out of trouble and what have you. But at some point you have to make the move and put your faith in certain guys and hope that they come through. And that's where I'm at with Knapp."