Lehigh Valley's Andrew Knapp A Top Prospect For The Phillies

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It was not very long ago that catcher was arguably the weakest position in the Phillies organization. But that is no longer the case.

Of course, everyone has seen Cameron Rupp really blossom at the big league level this year, especially offensively, and most fans are closely watching the development of Jorge Alfaro at Double-A Reading. He was picked up last year from Texas as part of the trade that sent Cole Hamels to the Rangers.

And at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the Iron Pigs have a promising talent behind the plate in Andrew Knapp.

A 2013 second-round draft pick out of Cal, Knapp is hitting .258 this season for the Iron Pigs with seven home runs and 39 runs batted in.

"I've been grinding," Knapp tells KYW Newsradio. "I haven't been putting up the offensive numbers that I've wanted, but I feel good in the box and I'm hitting balls hard, I'm just not really getting much to show for it. And I've been learning a lot."

Listen to the entire interview with Lehigh Valley's Andrew Knapp:

Knapp, a switch-hitter, really turned heads last year after a mid-season promotion from Single-A Clearwater to Double-A Reading. He hit .360 in 55 games with the Fightin Phils, with 11 home ruins and 56 runs batted in. His August in 2015 was off the charts as he hit .404 with 8 home runs and 28 runs batted in, in 25 games.

"Reading was fun," Knapp says. "We just got into a groove and we were winning so many games. Hitting's contagious, so once everyone starts rolling it kind of keeps the ball going. That's what I'm capable of doing I feel like. I mean, obviously, you're not going to go out and hit .400 every month, but for me that was a really fun time and I think I have that kind of potential that I can do that every season."

Behind the plate, Knapp has thrown out 34% of runners trying to steal this season, but he also has 15 passed balls.

Knapp talks about what he's learned over the last few years as a pro.

"Just be consistent every day," Knapp says. "Not to get too high or too low. Have to be able to have an even keel mindset, whether you go for 4-4 or 0-4, you've got to come out and play the next day."

Knapp and the Iron Pigs host Pawtucket tonight.