When we think about what it’ll take for the Phillies to finally climb out of the sub-flooring of the National League East for the first time since 2011, we often talk about how important it’ll be for guys like Aaron Nola and Rhys Hoskins to continue to be good; how it’d be great to see Aaron Altherr stay healthy; how Maikel Franco could put it all together; how newcomers like Jake Arrieta and Carlos Santana could lend legitimacy to what had become a rudderless on-field product.
What often doesn’t get first or second or third billing, far as I see it, is just how much an improved Jorge Alfaro can help in every facet of the game.