Tommy Joseph Makes His Mark in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA—Being the top prospect acquired in a trade for a fan favorite is never easy. Tommy Joseph understands the pressure of that notoriety, and is feeding off of it.

Joseph hit the game-tying home run in the seventh inning and delivered a walk-off RBI single in the 11th to lift the Phillies to a 2-1 win over the Rockies on Thursday, snapping a five-game losing streak for Philadelphia.

Joseph, 25, was one of three players the Phillies acquired from the Giants in exchange for Hunter Penceat the trade deadline in 2012. Pence helped the Giants win two World Series titles and has flourished in San Francisco, but Joseph has ensured the Phillies haven’t ended up completely empty-handed from the swap.

Since making his MLB debut with the Phillies last season, Joseph has 28 home runs and an .804 OPS in 148 career games.

“It’s always going to be motivating a little bit no matter who you get traded for. You’re going to always feel like you have to live up to the expectations of the trade,” Joseph said. “Obviously Hunter’s done a tremendous job over in San Francisco. The people love him over there and they loved him here too . . . Being able to talk to people here and how much they adored Hunter and his personality and energy and his affection towards everybody, those are kind of the expectations that I would like to meet.”

The Giants drafted Joseph as a catcher in the second round, No. 55 overall, in 2009, two picks before Billy Hamilton and four before Nolan Arenado. Joseph rose quickly through the Giants system, reaching Double-A in his age-20 season, and was their No. 2 prospect at the time he was traded for Pence. He literally switched dugouts the night of the trade, with the Giants’ affiliate Richmond coincidentally playing the Phillies’ Reading affiliate.

But two concussions his full first year in the Phillies system in 2013 stalled his progress, and he played just 27 games in 2014 after having season-ending surgery on his left wrist. In 2015 he sustained another concussion on a foul tip, played just 58 games and moved out from behind the plate for good.

It was a tough road, but one that made his eventual rise to the majors that much more rewarding.

“Journey was long, it took a while,” Joseph said. “A lot of it had to do with injuries, so every day that I get the opportunity to be here and be healthy and be able to be in the lineup is a good feeling. To have the opportunity to play at this level is a special one. I don’t take any day for granted and I realize how important every day is.”

With the Phillies sporting the worst record in baseball, Joseph has been one cornerstone they know they can rely on. He is hitting .329 with six homers, 15 RBI and a 1.071 OPS in May, even as the Phillies have gone 5-17 during the month.

“He made a good first impression and we’ve expected a lot out of him this year,” Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. “Obviously today was a great performance for him and I expect him, as we go, to get better and better.”

Joseph has already made the sting of trading Pence dull a bit. Now, it’s just a matter of staying healthy enough to build off the impressive precedent he has set for himself.

“My goals are to be healthy and to be able to play in 162 games, that’s really all I want to be able to do,” Joseph said. “That’s something I haven’t been able to do in my career and something that I’m looking forward to. If I’m to stay healthy and stay on the field, I’m able to enjoy this great game and share it with my teammates.”