This past week, the Padres traded pitching prospect Casey Kelly to the Atlanta Braves for catching prospect Christian Bethancourt. Not really news that should affect Phillies fans, right? Not so fast, my friends!
The reason this trade could become of interest to us is the ripple effect on the Padres’ depth chart. With the addition of Bethancourt, the Friars now carry four catchers who appear capable of handling a major league pitching staff.
Bethancourt joins Derek Norris, Austin Hedges, and Josmil Pinto to make up that enviable backstop depth.