CATCHER: Late last season, Jorge Alfaro usurped the starting job from Cameron Rupp. That's likely the pecking order in 2018. Andrew Knapp, no longer a prospect, provides organizational depth.
INFIELD: This is going to be an interesting off-season in the City of Brotherly Love. On paper, Rhys Hoskins, Cesar Hernandez, Freddy Galvis and Maikel Franco encompass a passable group from right to left. The catch is, Mike Kingery and J.P. Crawford are ready to take over as the double-play combo. Tommy Joseph is in the mix.
OUTFIELD: Assuming Hoskins lands at first, Aaron Altherr, Odubel Herrera and Nick Williams make up the starting group of fly chasers. However, they're not a bastion of health so some support will be necessary.
BENCH: It's hard to peg a bench with the infield unsettled. How the club fleshes out the middle will affect depth. Regardless, Pedro Florimon and Cam Perkins will likely be involved.
ROTATION: Aaron Nola fronts an up-and-coming group which includes Jerad Eickhoff, Jake Thompson, Ben Lively, Nick Pivetta, Zach Eflin and Mark Leiter Jr., along with wild-card Vince Velasquez.
BULLPEN: Hector Neris emerged as the main guy down the stretch, but we've seen this story before. Still, he pitched his way into the incumbent label; closer is his to lose. Luis Garcia, Edubray Ramos and Adam Morgan will be joined by some of the aforementioned listed starters.
PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Kingery and Crawford have been discussed. Williams and Alfaro got long looks last season. There's no one else really close.
POSSIBLE ACQUISITIONS: The primary moves could be dealing Hernandez and Galvis to pave the way for Kingery and Crawford. The Phillies are one of the clubs mentioned to be in the Giancarlo Stanton sweepstakes, an intriguing thought. A reserve outfielder is likely along with a veteran starting arm to help stabilize the younger, still raw options.
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