Philly.com · Jun 4, 2016
Ford: If at first the Phils don't succeed ...
Tommy Joseph, who is auditioning to be the next regular first baseman for the Phillies following Ryan Howard's 11-year run at the position, might not turn out to be the answer there, of course. In fact, the historical odds are against him.
Since he hit well at Lehigh Valley in a couple of dozen games this season, it's reasonable to give him a try, but as a prospect he's not even as promising as Darin Ruf following a 38-home run season for Reading in 2012.
Ruf had his chances to unseat the declining Howard. Now he's a month away from his 30th birthday, loitering around .260 for Lehigh Valley, and no one still thinks he's going to be the next thing at first base.