We have reached the midway point in the baseball season and the Phillies’ stacked farm system has been thriving. It’s a positive sign for the rebuilding Phillies who will soon have pieces to anchor a future of what they hope are competitive teams once again. Lets take a look at some of the progress the organization’s top prospects have made at their respective levels.
Triple-A: Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (52-39, 2nd place in the INT North)
#1 prospect: SS J.P. Crawford .270, 3 HR, 17 RBI’s, .703 OPS: The Phillies best overall prospect J.P. Crawford started the season with Reading Phillies batting .265 with three home runs and 13 RBI’s. After 36 games, he found himself promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and one step closer to the show. Crawford struggled in first couple of weeks in Triple-A and it obviously caused some people to overreact. There is no need to fear because Crawford is figuring it out and in his last 10 games the young shortstop is hitting .415 with two home runs, seven RBI’s and six runs scored. The successor to Jimmy Rollins is knocking on the door of the majors and it remains to be seen when the Phillies will let him in.
#2 prospect: RHP Jake Thompson 7-5, 2.58 ERA, 72 K’s, 1.14 WHIP: After coming over to the Phillies in the Cole Hamels’ trade, Thompson went an incredible run with Reading going 5-1 with a 1.80 ERA in seven starts and it proved to be enough of sample size for him to head the rotation in Triple-A Lehigh Valley for 2016. Thompson had a slow start out of the gate going 1-4 with a 4.06 ERA in his first six starts and only lasted passed the fifth inning in two of those starts. Since that time, Thompson has been lights out in has 11 starts posting a 5-1 record with a 2.10 ERA in 68 2/3 innings pitched. He has been by far the best pitcher for the Iron Pigs and he is another candidate that could receive a call-up soon, especially after the trade deadline.
#3 prospect: OF Nick Williams .283 AVG, 8 HR, 41 RBI’s, .775 OPS: Williams made tremendous strides last year in Double-A becoming a more selective hitter thus increasing his average and overall production. Williams secured his spot as the starting right fielder for the Iron Pigs in 2016 and he has not disappointed. Williams leads the Iron Pigs in hits (89), runs (48), doubles (20), triples (5), RBI’s (41), and is top five in average and home runs. He needs to cut down on the strikeouts though because at his pace he punches out 26 percent of time. The only other red flag besides the strikeouts is the attitude with Williams, who has been benched multiple times after not hustling on plays and we’ve had experience with that. Despite the incidents, Williams is in good position to receive a promotion in the near future with the Phillies still sporting a less than productive outfield aside Odubel Herrera and occasionally Cody Ashe.
#9 prospect: C Andrew Knapp .264 AVG, 7 HR, 32 RBI’s: Like many others on the Iron Pigs roster this year, Knapp used a spectacular season in Double-A Reading to springboard up the Phillies’ system and now one step away from the majors. Knapp, who arguably has one of the best mustaches in baseball, has done well for the most part in Triple-A posting a.264 average with seven home runs, 32 RBI’s, and a .733 OPS. He doesn’t lead the Iron Pigs in any categories, but he is top five in almost all of them and is a step ahead of Jorge Alfaro developmentally. The future for Andrew Knapp still isn’t very clear because you think of Jorge Alfaro as your future at catcher, but Knapp’s offense is just as good as Alfaro and the question is how do you keep all of your bats in the lineup. My theory is Knapp can maybe be moved to first base because the future there is still uncertain and Jhailyn Ortiz is still a ways away, who will not make the Phillies as an outfielder in my opinion.
#23 prospect: OF/2B Darnell Sweeney .233 AVG, 5 HR, 22 RBI’s, .658 OPS: Darnell Sweeney hasn’t really played well at all since joining the Phillies organization and the chance of him helping this team in anyway looks highly unlikely at the moment. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him fall of the Phillies top 30 prospects when MLB pipeline redrafts their rankings because with the Phillies stockpile of talent, Darnell Sweeney is just going to get lost in the shuffle. He’s not going to be your future at second base and there is certainly no room for him in the outfield. Sweeney remains on the Phillies’ 40-man roster for now so we will most lily see him in September, but that’s about it for him.
#30 prospect: RHP Ben Lively 4-2, 3.45 ERA, 35 K’s, 0.96 WHIP: Due to injuries in Triple-A and Ben Lively at one point not having lost in 23 starts, propelled the 24-year-old to the Iron Pigs where he has pitched pretty well for them and looks like he is there to stay. Through nine starts, Lively is 4-2 with a 3.45 ERA, 35 strikeouts, and a pretty impressive 0.94 WHIP and has gone at least five innings in all of his starts so far. Phillies acquired Ben Lively in the Marlon Byrd trade and he’s been quite good in the Phillies’ farm system. Definitely one of the more reliable starters the Phillies have to offer, yet what he will end up being for them is still a mystery. He could possibly be a candidate for a September call up, but he may have to wait in line.
Double-A: Reading Fightin’ Phils (63-27, 1st place in the EAS Eastern)
#6 prospect: C Jorge Alfaro .295, 11 HR, 46 RBI’s, .833 OPS: In his first season as a part of the Phillies organization, Alfaro has proved to be one of the best hitting the prospects the Phillies have and has been solid defensively. It’s no secret Alfaro has a cannon for an arm gunning down 46 percent of would be base stealers this year and has only committed two errors in 531 innings behind the plate. His offense has been impressive as well posting a .295 average with 11 home runs and 46 RBI’s and spent a lot of first half with his average up over .300. Alfaro capped off his successful first half with an invitation to the Double-A All-Star game where the 23-year-old went three for three with a run scored. Alfaro has spent every game he’s played in behind the plate this year and the starting catcher spot on the Phillies looks to be his for the long term. Alfaro will likely be a September call up, but for now the Phillies are comfortable with his continued growth in Double-A.
#7 prospect: OF Roman Quinn .288, 18 RBI’s, 25 SB’s, .780 OPS: When Roman Quinn does play, he is a speed demon on the base paths (caught stealing only six times) and can score runs in bunches do to his mobility. Quinn has been injury prone as usual and it’s cause for concern what his future with the Phillies will be like. If everything was perfect Quinn could be a productive leadoff hitter for the Phillies who can wreak havoc on the base paths. But with the drafting of Mickey Moniak and the Phillies hoarding a lot outfield prospects, Quinn is looking more like a fourth outfielder than a starter at this point. Another potential September call up if he can stay healthy.
#10 prospect: RHP Ricardo Pinto 3-3, 4.58 ERA, 66 K’s, 1.35 WHIP: Ricardo Pinto has faced very little resistance in his pro career so far advancing fairly quickly through the Phillies system, but has hit a wall in Double-A with Reading. Pinto has allowed three earned runs or more in nine of his 17 starts and has trouble hitting his spots. He hasn’t really pitched all that bad and it’s kind of a mystery why his numbers aren’t better. There shouldn’t be too much worry about Pinto because his stuff is there and he just needs to locate his pitches better and stay out of the middle of the plate. The Phillies hope Pinto can end up being a mid-rotation starter and he does look like a workhorse type of pitcher.
#15 prospect: LHP Thomas Eshelman 2-0, 5.94 ERA, 14 K’s, 2.04 WHIP: Eshelman started the season in Single-A Clearwater where he put up impressive numbers going 4-2 with a 3.34 ERA and struck out 64 batters in 59 1/3 innings, while only walking 11. This warranted a promotion to Double-A in which he’s only made four starts so far with two really good starts and two really bad starts. Phillies acquired Eshelman from the Astros in the Ken Giles and he is one of the more underrated pieces in the deal. The 22-year-old has expert control of his pitches and has a decent fastball along a couple of nice out pitches. Controls artists like Eshelman can advance quickly through the minors, but what he will become can be better determined when gets challenged at the upper levels.
#18 prospect: RHP Nick Pivetta 8-4, 3.14 ERA, 86 K’s, 1.21 WHIP: Pivetta came over to the Phillies in the Papelbon deal with the Nationals and he struggled in his first handful of starts with Double-A Reading going 2-2 with a 7.31 ERA and struggled with control walking 19 batters in 28 1/3 innings pitched. Pivetta has turned a corner in 2016 notching eight wins in the first half of the season and has decreased the walks significantly. The 23-year-old has gone at least five innings in 14 of his 17 starts this year, including a complete game shutout. Pipette has been tremendous this year and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him promoted to Triple-A before the season is over. The Phillies like the size and arm of Pivetta even though he may end up in the bullpen at some point.
#19 prospect: 1B Rhys Hoskins .287 AVG, 25 HR, 83 RBI’s. .922 OPS: Rhys Hoskins has dominated pretty much every level he’s been at in the minors and 2016b with Double-A Reading has been no different. Hoskins has clubbed 25 home runs and 87 RBI’s while hitting for a high average at .287. Hoskins will strikeout here and there, but that’s to be expected for a young hitter and he does something productive in his at-bats more often than not. Hoskins leads all of Double-A players in home runs and RBI’s with his teammate and fellow bash brother, Dylan Cozens trailing closely behind him. Hoskins as well as many of his other teammates received an invitation to the Double-A All-Star game an made it count hitting a three-homer in the game. It’s uncertain if Hoskins has the makings of a future major-leaguer and there is some fear he might become another Darin Ruf. He is a capable defender at first base and may be a solution for the short-term, but nothing is set in stone.
#22 prospect: OF Dylan Cozens .286 AVG, 24 HR, 75 RBI’s, .963 OPS: The slugging outfielder and bash brother with teammate Rhys Hoskins has dominated Double-A this year with 24 home runs and 75 RBI’s and is almost slugging .600. Cozens turned some heads blasting a couple of home runs in Spring Training when the future Phillies played the young and upcoming Phillies in a two-game series. Cozens and Hoskins have been the best home run and RBI hitting duo in all of baseball this season and just have been a treat to watch. Cozens also made it to the Double-A All-Star game going hitless in two at-bats with a walk and two runs scored. The difference for Cozens is he’s refined his approach this year becoming a more selective hitter and it has shown in his performance. If he can carry this approach to the upper levels, Cozens can be a kept part of the future for the Phillies’ outfield and can supply some much needed power.
Single-A (Advanced): Clearwater Threshers (52-37, 1st place in the FSL North)
#11 prospect: 2B Sean Kingery .289, 25 RBI’s, 23 SB’s, .774 OPS: Kingery has found nothing but success in Clearwater hitting at a high-level with a .289 average and has been a doubles machine with already 27 on the season. He has split time between the leadoff spot and the three-hole in the lineup, but I best like him leading off with his blazing speed that has allowed him to steal 23 bases this year and has only been caught four times. I have talked about Scott Kingery so much this year and I truly believe he is the long-term future at second base. He has an advanced bat and a smooth swing that should allow him to advance readily through the Phillies system and he should be promoted to Double-A really soon with the way he’s been playing.
#12 prospect: SS Malquin Canelo .246 average, 3 HR, 35 RBI’s, .637 OPS: Malquin Canelo has been part of the Phillies’ organization since he was 17-years-old and he is spending his second season with the Threshers. He has played decently this year, but the offense and approach still needs some work. Canelo is considered just as good or even better defensively as Phillies’ other shortstop prospect J.P. Crawford, which is unbelievable praise. The 21-year-old has all the tools to be an everyday shortstop with a plus arm, solid range, and glove and his offensive is starting to come along. Canelo has a ways to go in terms of refining his offensive game, but he is heading the right direction.
#14 prospect: OF Carlos Tocci .274 AVG, 34 RBI’s, 11 SB’s, .676 OPS: After a slow start to the season, Tocci has been heating with the Threshers and at one point had an 11-game hitting streak. Tocci doesn’t have much power, but he makes up for it with his speed and above-average defense. Tocci can possibly be an everyday centerfielder if he continues to build his strength, however, I see him more as a fourth outfielder. There is still a ton of time for him to continue to grow as he’s only 20 and he should be fine if he continues to hit when he gets to the upper levels.
#20 prospect: RHP Alberto Tirado 0-0, 16.20 ERA (two games), 6 K’s, 6 BB’s: Acquired in the Ben Revere trade with the Blue Jays, Tirado has split time with the Blue Claws and Threshers mainly as a reliever. Tirado has a great fastball in the mid-90s and a good feel for his slider and changeup, but his control is terrible. A lot of pitchers struggle with control, yet Tirado has taken it to a whole new level. He has walked 26 batters in 23 2/3 innings this year and has a whopping 7.61 ERA. If Tirado can control his pitches, he can be a nice arm in the backend of the bullpen.
#21 prospect: LHP Elniery Garcia 8-2, 2.23 ERA, 60 K’s, 1.07 WHIP: Elniery Garcia has been fantastic for Clearwater this year going at least five innings in every start except one and hasn’t allowed m;ore than three runs in 10 of his 12 starts. The 21-year-old has a solid three-pitch mix and has gotten stronger each year. Garcia has a limited ceiling and will likely be pitching in the back half of a big league rotation if he makes it at all.
Single-A: Lakewood Blue Claws (40-49, 4th place in the SAL Northern)
#5 prospect: OF Cornelius Randolph .250 AVG, 1 HR, 5 RBI’s, .691 OPS: Randolph has just been recently activated off the disabled for the Blue Claws and in his last two games before the break, Randolph went five for 10 with two doubles, a run scored, and a stolen base. Randolph’s bat has shown up a bit in Lakewood, but just looking for some more consistency from the young outfielder. His sample size right now is too small to really judge him and were just going to let him play it out a bit. Randolph’s bat can certainly push him through the Phillies system at a decent rate and we will see what he’s able to do with a clean bill of health.
#8 prospect: RHP Franklyn Kilome 2-7, 4.75 ERA, 73 K’s, 1.60 WHIP: Kilome has struggled for the most part this year with control being one of the main issues and just not being able to last very long in games. Kilome has the potential to be a frontline starter and he’s looked more like a future ace in his last 10 starts going 2-3 with a 3.23 ERA with 55 strikeouts and has done a good decreasing walks in that span. The 21-year-old has a solid mid-90s fastball and his curve has a chance to be very good. The Phillies really like his 6-foot-6 frame which will allow him to be able to take a lot of work without fading down the stretch. As said before, Kilome has frontline starter potential and his strong work ethic signal a bright future ahead for him.
#24 prospect: OF Jose Pujols .231 AVG, 17 HR, 53 RBI’s, .724 OPS: Pujols is a power-hitting outfielder for the Blue Claws, who has clubbed 17 home runs at the midway in the season, but doesn’t do much else. He doesn’t make consistent enough contact to hit for a high average and he has struck 123 times in 320 at-bats this year. Pujols does run well for his size and has a strong arm that profiles him in right field. There is still tons of time for Pujols to refine his game as he’s only 20-years-old and the Phillies believe he can get a better feel for the game with more playing time, which something due to injury last year.
#29 prospect: C Deivi Grullon .238 AVG, 5 HR, 28 RBI’s, .714 OPS: Grullon is in his third season with the Lakewood Blue Claws and he hasn’t shown too much improvement this year. His average is a little bit better and the walks are up, but he hasn’t been hitting a ton. There is still a lot of work to be done in terms of Grullon’s discipline and approach at the plate, but he does have one of the strongest arms of any catcher in the minors. Grullon is only 20 so there is plenty of time for him to improve his game and it’s too early to tell what he can become, but he’s heading in the right direction.
Single-A (short season): Williamsport Crosscutters (14-12, 2nd place in the NYP Pinckney)
#16 prospect: RHP Adonis Medina 3-0, 0.64 ERA, 12 K’s, 0.60 WHIP: The 19-year-old pitcher has made five starts for the Crosscutters going undefeated so far and flirted with a no-hitter in one of his starts. Medina has gone six innings or more in four of his five starts and has only walked six batters in 28 1/3 innings pitched. Medina projects as No. 3 type starter, but some believe he has frontline starter potential. The Phillies are going to take their time with the young Medina and we will keep an eye on what he does in the future.
GCL Phillies (11-7, 2nd place in the Northwest)
#25 prospect: OF Jhailyn Ortiz .279 AVG, 4 HR, 13 RBI’s, .945 OPS: The 17-year-old Ortiz, who signed with Phillies back in July of 2015, made his pro debut with the GCL Phillies on Jun. 24th and I’ve liked the way he’s been playing so far. Through 16 games, Ortiz is batting .279 with four home runs, 13 RBI’s and a huge .945 OPS and has only struck out 16 times 61 at-bats. Ortiz has a chance to be a big time power threat in the future and he is more athletic than the Phillies anticipated. I still see a move to first base in Ortiz’s future and he’s loosely projected to make it to the majors in 2020.
1st overall pick: CF Mickey Moniak .275 AVG, 1 HR, 10 RBI’s, .694 OPS: First overall pick made his pro debut with the GCL Phillies on Jun. 29th and has looked impressive so far. Through 13 games, Moniak is hitting .275 with one home run, 10 RBI’s, and has scored eight runs. We will keep an eye on Moniak’s progress this year and it’s exciting to have him as part of the Phillies organization.
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