Tommy Joseph: Full Scouting Report on Prospect Dealt for Hunter Pence
The Philadelphia Phillies became sellers in a big way right before the MLB trade deadline, dealing outfielders Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence in the same day. While losing these veterans is tough, Philly needs to get acquainted with the new players brought over, especially Tommy Joseph.
As MLB.com reporter Jake Kaplan announced via Twitter, Pence has been sent to San Francisco in exchange for several names including a top catching prospect in Joseph.
#Phillies make trade official: Hunter Pence and cash to the San Francisco Giants for OF Nate Schierholtz, C Tommy Joseph and RHP Seth Rosin.
— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) July 31, 2012
It’s not exactly like getting Buster Posey from San Fran, but it could be down the road. Right before the 2009 MLB draft, ESPN lead baseball analyst Keith Law called Joseph “one of the top prep catchers in this year’s draft class and probably the top draft-eligible high school hitter in the state of Arizona.”
That’s the kind of scouting report that make fans breathe easier after losing a big star. Joseph has been called “one of the best power-hitting prospects in the league,” albeit by his Richmond Flying Squirrels hitting coach Ken Joyce.
While Joseph did kill some of the excitement that surrounded his name back in 2009 when he posted a .236 batting average in his first minor league season, he knows how to hit the long ball.
The newest member of the Phillies’ farm system recorded 16 home runs for Single-A Augusta and followed that season up with 22 in High-A San Jose. The biggest change from 2010 to 2011 though for Joseph was the much-discussed batting average.
He hiked the less-than-great .236 from his first year to .270 even after moving up to more challenging competition. While 2012 has seen a slight dip down to a .260 average with Double-A Richmond, the Eastern League tends to be more of a pitcher-friendly league.
As of now, the Flying Squirrels have just two batters with over a .300 average and the league as a whole only has 10 batters over that mark.
Joseph has the tools to come up through the Phillies’ farm system and become a fine catcher for the team while providing some of the pop the lineup has lost with the departures of Pence and Victorino.
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