Phillies catchers have been 'OK,' but more is needed
Inconsistent at-bats have plagued starter Cameron Rupp, and Jorge Alfaro may get called up in August.
Catcher is often viewed as a defensive position, and the early numbers across baseball this season provided more evidence toward that. Entering Saturday's action, major-league catchers had produced the lowest OPS (.686) of any position group. That was the context for Phillies general manager Matt Klentak's assessment that his catchers, Cameron Rupp and Andrew Knapp, have been "above average."
Rupp and Knapp, entering Saturday, had posted a collective .351 on-base percentage. That ranked fourth among all teams' catchers. Their .447 slugging percentage ranked seventh. It is not a perfect tandem; the Phillies still seek defensive improvement and more consistent at-bats from their catchers.
But the unit has not been a glaring problem.
"They've been OK, but we're always looking for . . . Statistically, we're fine," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "What I'm looking for on a daily basis is consistency in at-bats, quality of at-bats. And [hitting coach] Matt Stairs preaches: Don't give away any at-bats.
"But when you see guys swing and miss at pitches in the dirt over and over again, that's not showing improvement in that area. That's what we're trying to get done. Once they get the hang of that, then you are going to see some more production."
Rupp started his 21st game Saturday. He crushed solo homer and added a run-scoring single. Knapp is likely to start Sunday. The current split puts Rupp on pace to start 117 games, which would be the most for a Phillies catcher since Mike Lieberthal started 123 games in 2004.
That consistency that Mackanin referenced is directed at Rupp, especially after nights like Friday. He struck out three times and walked once, just a day after a three-hit game.
Rupp, a few plate appearances shy of qualifying, would rank 11th in baseball with his 4.40 pitches seen per plate appearance. That, Rupp said, is not necessarily by design.
"It's just going that way right now," Rupp said. "It's a good thing, absolutely. I'm being more selective. But sometimes I feel like I lose my aggressiveness. I know, in the past, that's not me. I want to put the ball in play. I want to drive the ball."
Jorge Alfaro's time may come, perhaps in August or September, but Rupp and Knapp have - in the Phillies' view - produced enough so far.
"He had a slow start but recently has done well," Klentak said of Rupp. "I have no qualms with the way the catching has done. If you size it up against the league, I think we have done well in that department."
No Altherr
Aaron Altherr, the Phillies' hottest hitter, was not in the lineup Saturday because of a sore left wrist. He injured it while making a catch Friday night. Altherr, who has a history of wrist ailments, wanted to be careful.
"He rolled on his wrist," Mackanin said. "I took him out of the lineup. He feels that he needs a day, so that's the reason for that."
Extra bases
Mackanin, previously against the idea of an eight-man bullpen, evisions that he will stick with it for the foreseeable future because his starters have not pitched deep into games. "I'm surprised I am even saying that," Mackanin said. . . . Nationals slugger Bryce Harper missed his second straight game with a groin injury. Washington manager Dusty Baker said Harper was feeling better and could return to the lineup for Sunday's series finale.