Another piece of what may be the Phillies future was added to the roster today with the promotion of 24 year old OF Aaron Altherr from Lehigh Valley. Altherr was a 9th round pick in the 2009 draft.  It is the second trip to Philadelphia for Altherr, who was called up for a weekend last season as a stopgap resulting from injury.  While he is being added because of Maikel Franco being placed on the DL with a broken wrist, this is likely to be a stint that will result in significant playing time through the end of the season for Altherr as the Phils gauge his ability to play consistent major league baseball.

In 111 games between Reading and Lehigh Valley this year, Altherr is hitting .293/.367/.487 spanning 487 plate appearances.  He has an impressive 14HR 67RBI to go with 16SB.  Altherr can play all over the OF and is a plus defender, however played predominately in RF and CF this year in the minors.

Still only 24, with 2500+ minor league AB’s, ALtherr crushed left handed pitching in AAA, hitting at a .353 rate.  On of the primary criticisms of ALtherr in the passed was his free swinging, which is much improved this year with a solid 10%BB/17%K rate.

MLB Trade Rumors reported that Maikel Franco will be placed on the DL with a fractured wrist.  Aaron Altherr has been called up to fill his roster spot.