The Phillies will have an exciting, young lineup Thursday in their annual exhibition opener against the University of Tampa.
1. Roman Quinn, CF (S)
2. J.P. Crawford, SS (L)
3. Dylan Cozens, RF (L)
4. Rhys Hoskins, 1B
5. Nick Williams, LF (L)
6. Jorge Alfaro, C
7. Scott Kingery, 2B
8. Hector Gomez, 3B
9. Andrew Pullin, DH (L)
RHP Mark Leiter
Gomez aside, it's a prospect-packed lineup that represents the best of the Phillies' farm system.
Several of these players -- Crawford, Williams, Alfaro and Quinn - will likely taste the majors at some point this season. They're all in big-league camp for the second straight year. It's a first for Cozens, Hoskins and Kingery.
As CSN Phillies analyst Ricky Bottalico pointed out Tuesday on Phillies Focus (airing all week on CSN at 6 p.m.), it's in a way a lose-lose situation for Leiter. If he pitches well against Tampa, he did it vs. college kids. If he pitches poorly, then he was hit around by college kids. Not the easiest assignment.
Philadelphia Phillies
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The Phillies play Tampa at 1:05 p.m. Thursday, then travel to face the Yankees at 1:05 p.m. Friday. The first televised spring training game on CSN is Saturday at 1:05 p.m., also against the Yankees.
