Jim Salisbury is reporting that Tommy Joseph will be moving full time to first base after spending his career at catcher. This May he suffered another concussion, further putting both his long term health and career in question. The move to first base should keep Joseph healthier, but it also ruins most of his remaining prospect stock. In the grand scheme of it, his health is more important than any prospect stock he may.
As for how it affects the system, this doesn’t move the needle too much, Joseph was outside my Top 50 coming into the system for this very reason, this is just the realization of our fears. In terms of catching depth, Lehigh Valley has Gabriel Lino, Reading has Andrew Knapp, Clearwater has Chace Numata, and Lakewood has Deivi Grullon. Those four should be getting the majority of the reps behind the plate. As for first base, Joseph should push Chris McGuiness for the majority of reps for the IronPigs.
Joseph is still only 23 years old and has another minor league option remaining so the Phillies are likely to give Joseph some time. The reports have always been below average hit tool, but plus power for Joseph, so maybe this allows him to play to those abilities. He is not going to be a big time prospect going forward, but this is a positive move for Joseph and his long term future off the field.
Actually this was expected from back last month.
But it may be advantageous to Joseph, since the mental aspect and physical abuse and rigors of catching will not limit him and he may be able t elevate his hit tool.
Hey Matt, I really like your writing, but it’s your constant and unwavering prioritization of these guys’ health that makes me respect you as a prospect writer. It’s truly refreshing to see a writer place the long-term futures of guys like Jesse Biddle front and center.