By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
VENEZUELA — Catcher Jorge Alfaro, the Philadelphia Phillies' fourth-ranked prospect by MLBPipeline.com, tripled in his Venezuelan Winter League season debut with the Tiburones de La Guaira (7-8) in a matchup against the Caribes de Anzoategui (8-9) on Thursday.
The extra-base knock came against 26-year-old RHP Roberto Canache while both teams were tied 3-3 with one out in the bottom of the 12th inning. It was Alfaro's only hit of the contest, and while it came in the clutch by putting the game-winning run 90 feet from home, he was thrown out at home while trying to score on a fielder's choice to the shortstop.
The next batter, however, came through for the Tiburones as center fielder Omar Carrizales hit a walk-off double to center field, securing his team its seventh win of the season.
Alfaro is among 14 different Phillies players within the organization participating in this year's Venezuelan Winter League. He is teammates with three fellow Phillies on the Tiburones' roster alone: first baseman Brock Stassi, along with right-handers Gregory Infante and Ricardo Pinto.
Alfaro both grounded out and struck out swinging twice in his four other plate appearances. One of the ground outs was a double play that ended the team's rally in the bottom of the ninth. Pinto, the No. 15-ranked Phillies' prospect by MLBPipeline.com, recorded his first win of the season by tossing a scoreless top of the 12th inning in the Tiburones' victory.
In six games last season with the Phillies, Alfaro singled twice, walked once and struck out eight times through 17 plate appearances. He hit .285/.325/.458 with 15 home runs and 67 RBIs in 97 games at Double-A Reading. This is Alfaro's second season playing with the Tiburones, where in 13 games last year he hit .262/.262/.357 with a double, home run and three RBIs.
Alfaro will likely compete with fellow catcher Cameron Rupp for the starting role in 2017 this spring. Andrew Knapp, who had 107 hits in 107 games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season, also will likely receive consideration.
