If you are like me, the start of the minor league baseball season is almost as exciting as the big club. Wins and losses don’t matter as much as individual players, and the Phillies have a lot of young players to keep an eye on this year. The rosters for our 4 major affiliates have been trickling in, and now they are all up for Thursday’s games.
Here are where all of our notable prospects landed:
A couple thoughts…
- Lakewood is absolutely loaded with potential. They have to have the most talented starting outfield in low-A ball. Also looks like they will be throwing Brody Colvin right into the fire. Domingo Santana (17 years old) became their youngest player in team history.
- Reading will be interesting to keep an eye on because there are several players who could offer relief help later in the season. 3 of our top 4 prospects (Brown, Aumont, Gillies) will open here.
- J.C. Ramirez is starting in Clearwater. Many had him pegged for Reading. Possibly a sign of a poor spring.
- Lehigh Valley is pretty depressing talent-wise. Not much there at all.
I’ll be adding a prospect feature to the Phillies’ recaps to keep you up-to-date on the minor leaguers.
For all other Phillies’ prospects posts, visit the Top Prospects page.
Ugh, now I know why the Phils farm system was just ranked LAST. Notice anything unusual about our ‘prospects?’ 1 catcher, 2 shortsops, 1 first baseman and 32 pitchers and outfielders………at least we’ve got about 2 or 3 more years with most of our players on the major league roster, but this lack of skilled prospects is alarming, even though we gave away the farm the last 2 trades.
THEO-
seriously? who ranked us last? we are middle of the pack on every reputable website.
the lack of skilled prospects in the infield would be more accurate. We are loaded with high-ceiling outfield prospects.
Don’t forget that those outfield and starting pitching prospects can turn into ML catchers, SS, 2B, pretty quickly…
Dan -
Not C or SS. Those positions are too difficult defensively. People are usually moved OUT of those, not INTO them (Werth and Ibanez both started as catchers I believe).
OF can be converted to 1B and occasionally 3B if they have had some exposure there. Maybe 2B, but that’s rare too.
We really have some talent in outfield. It is scary! This is also starnge given the fact we got rid of Michael Taylor too. James, Hudson, Santana, Gose, Gillies, of course Brown. What happens if Collier or Hewitt ever kick start their careers. I just want to see Galvis hit fairly well this year and see Singleton play well at first along with continued growth for guys like May, Cosart, and Colvin. I would like to see them get an infield prospect for one of these ceiling outfield guys as well.
Pete, any explanation that you can think of as to why some of our better prospects like Brown are in AA? I’ve read before that AA is often harder than AAA because higher ceiling players tend to be in AA while AAA has some of the more lifetime minor leaguers who will never make it to the show. Would this be a reason to keep some guys in AA who maybe would otherwise be in AAA?
Adam -
I think you nailed it. AAA for many teams is just where they keep utility guys and crappy relievers they might use if someone goes down on the MLB club. AA is often where the top prospects live.
The other reason in my head (might be way off), but once someone is in AAA, it’s pretty much a formality that they will be going to the big club and they might get antsy and impatient. When you are in AA, you know a call-up is unlikely and you can focus on your game.
I read Dan’s comment to mean that we can turn some of our excess outfield and/or pitching prospects into ML players at a position of need by moving them in trades (not by moving them to different positions).
Is that what you were getting at, Dan?
Speaking of crappy relievers, I would really like to see Mathieson get a shot this year with the big club. Our bullpen seems so unpredictable that Charlie should have those guys pitching for their jobs every time they take the ball.
I know you can’t just move guys to and from the minors willy nilly but they should take advantage of some of the guys in AA and AAA. Especially if the starters get into a habit of pitching 6+ IP an outing. Doc, Hamels, Happ and Blanton are all capable of that. I know Mathieson has got to want an opportunity to get up here and prove himself.
yeah, I was disappointed Mathieson got sent down so soon. Hopefully he pitches well enough to warrant a call-up.
b.ski, that’s exactly what I meant. We can trade for not just a prospect, but an actual major leaguer with any surpus we have. I imagine if both Gillies and Gose develop into good players, that’s exactly what we will do.
got it Dan, sorry! that makes a lot more sense…
Reading and LHV played an exhibition last night. PhuturePhillies has some info on it.
Joe Savery is essentially a non-prospect at this point. Those at the game said his fastball topped out at 86mph and lived around 83-84. His arm never recovered from surgery.
Mathieson looked dominant – hitting mid-to-upper 90s on every fastball.
Klaw
(1:26 PM)
Bud in Manasquan: I’m not really sure what you’re asking, but if you live near Lakewood, go see them when Jarred Cosart pitches. Apparently he’s added a lot of velocity – I just heard he held 95-96 in a late-March start – and he might be the second-best prospect in that system all of a sudden.