Photo by Keith Allison
It’s time to predict the 25-man roster. My prediction comes tomorrow. Matt Gelb of Philly.com and the Inquirer dropped his today.
And it’s relatively obvious … until you get to catcher:
CATCHER (3)
Cameron Rupp
Andrew Knapp
Ryan Hanigan
Gelb thinks the Phils want Hanigan on the roster for a veteran presence (it could also be Bryan Holaday) while Knapp learns both catcher and first base. It makes sense, since Knapp is a bat-first player who could spell Tommy Joseph at the corner, and having a more defensively inclined backstop doesn’t hurt.
But it’s odd. Most teams never carry three catchers. I can’t remember the last time the Phils had three catchers (who primarily played catcher) on the 25-man roster (pre Sept. 1). Possibly mid-season 2007, when the Phils employed Carlos Ruiz, Rod Barajas and Chris Coste on the 25-man.
But what do you think? Should the Phils go with three catchers to open the season?
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