After suffering several concussions, former Phillies prospect Tommy Joseph is moving out from behind the plate to first base, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly reports. Joseph was one of three players -- along with Seth Rosin and Nate Schierholtz -- acquired by the Phillies in the Hunter Pence trade with the Giants at the trade deadline in 2012.
Joseph, 23, has struggled when he was able to stay on the field. In 76 plate appearances with Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season, he has a .123/.135/.178 triple-slash line with only four extra-base hits (all doubles) and six RBI. He hasn’t played since May 11 due to his latest concussion.
Both the Phillies and Joseph seem to be in agreement that a position change is best:“He’s not going to catch going forward,” said Joe Jordan, the team’s director of player development. “We’re not going to expose him to that type of risk.
“Tommy is very excited about the move and anxious to get back on the field playing again.”Follow @Baer_Bill