Kingery among first Phillies reassigned to minor league camp

Scott kingery

 (Brandon Apter/Sports Talk Philly)

By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies announced Sunday that second base prospect Scott Kingery has been reassigned to minor league camp, along with first baseman Rhys Hoskins, outfielder Andrew Pullin and catcher Chace Numata. 

In 21 at-bats this spring, Kingery batted .286 with two home runs and three RBIs. He also flashed strong potential in the field. Considering that Kingery, 22, only played 37 games at Double A a season ago, he's likely to start the season with Double-A Reading.

That said, he's increased pressure on Cesar Hernandez at the Major League level and if there was an injury or trade involving Hernandez, it's entirely possible that the Phillies would call Kingery up before Jesmuel Valentin, who in all likelihood will open the season as Triple-A Lehigh Valley's second baseman. 

Hoskins, who hit 38 home runs at Double-A a season ago, was always expected to begin the season at the Triple-A level, where he's yet to play a game. He'll join a stacked team that will eventually feature fellow top prospects Dylan Cozens, Jake Thompson and J.P. Crawford. If Tommy Joseph doesn't make good on his chance to be the team's every day first baseman in 2017, Hoskins is a candidate to eventually fill that role. 

The 23-year-old Pullin is probably a good enough hitter to open the year at Triple-A, but because of the logjam of outfielding talent at the upper levels of the organizations minor leagues, he's likely going to be at Double-A Reading, where he will get more at-bats. 

Numata, who was a shortstop in high school, continues to transition into being a catcher. The Phillies, of course, are loaded at this position organizationally, with Cameron Rupp, Jorge Alfaro and Andrew Knapp. It's unclear what his long-term role in the organization will be. 

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