By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly been interested in resigning veteran catcher A.J. Ellis to pair with Cameron Rupp next season. If the team cannot retain Ellis, they seem willing to begin 2017 with prospect Andrew Knapp in the big leagues, according to Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
“I don’t think we need a veteran backup catcher. If it works out we’re open minded to that,” general manager Matt Klentak said. “But Andrew Knapp just finished age 25 season in Triple-A. He has a full year of at-bats in Triple-A. At some point for both he and Alfaro we’re going to have to find out what those guys can do at the big league level. During 2017 we’ll have to find out – not just about those two guys – but others.”
At the end of the 2016 season, the Phillies carried three catchers in Rupp, Ellis and top prospect Jorge Alfaro. Alfaro, 23, is likely to start the season in Triple-A to improve in a few aspects of his game. Meanwhile, Knapp spent the all of last season in Triple-A, hitting just .266 with a .330 on-base percentage after a breakout campaign with Double-A Reading in 2015 that saw him hit .360.
Starting Knapp in the majors would also give the Phillies a left-handed option at first base alongside Tommy Joseph. Knapp played some first during spring training and on a limited role with the Ironpigs. If Knapp does start 2017 with the Phils, that would give Alfaro the primary catching responsibilities in Lehigh Valley
