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Philadelphia Phillies 2011 Minor League Review

Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America:

2012 (27) | 2011 (11) | 2010 (18) | 2009 (12) | 2008 (22) | 2007 (21) | 2006 (22)

2011 Affiliate Records

MLB: [102-60] NL East

AAA: [80-64] International League – Lehigh Valley

AA: [74-68] Eastern League – Reading

A+: [75-63] Florida State League – Clearwater

A: [68-69] South Atlantic League – Lakewood

A(ss): [43-33] New York-Penn League – Williamsport

The Run Down

The Phillies graduated quite a bit of talent in 2011.  They also shipped a few nice prospects Houston’s way.  What’s left is not exciting.  Not from a fantasy perspective, at least.  The Phillies have some nice arms in the lower rungs of their system – A-ball pitchers like Trevor May, Jesse Biddle and Jonathan Pettibone.  Biddle will need a few more years of seasoning, but May and Pettibone could be up next year.  There are a few relief arms ready to contribute in the bigs, but the closer situation in Philly is locked up for the time being.  Offensively, the Phillies a pretty well set at the Major League level.  Any reinforcements they needed arrived last year.  Freddy Galvis might catch on in a utility role, but he won’t see regular time unless Jimmy Rollins or Chase Utley gets hurt.  Don’t expect this system to produce a big league regular until Sebastian Valle arrives two years from now.

Arizona Fall League PlayersScottsdale Scorpions

Tyler Cloyd (RHP); Jacob Diekman (LHP); B.J. Rosenberg (RHP); Colby Shreve (RHP); Cody Overbeck (1B); Darin Ruf (1B); Tyson Gillies (OF)

Graduated Prospects

Michael Martinez (2B); Domonic Brown (OF); John Mayberry (OF); Vance Worley (RHP); Michael Stutes (RHP)

Players of Interest

Hitters

Freddy Galvis | SS:

Galvis is a defense-first shortstop who’ll spend 2012 in Triple-A thanks to Jimmy Rollins’ new contract.  The 22-year-old has been showing some improvement at the plate – 2011 represents his best offensive season as a pro.  Keep in mind, though, that this “career year” line reads:  .278/.324/.392.  Galvis needs to improve his hitting significantly if he’s ever to become fantasy relevant.  No doubt, he’ll be working on that with Lehigh Valley in 2012.

Harold Garcia | 2B:

Garcia lost most of 2011 to a knee injury, but he’s ready for 2012.  The switch-hitter makes solid contact to all fields, but lacks power.  At 25 years old, he needs to break out this season or Philadelphia may lose patience.  Some project him as an everyday second baseman.  I’m skeptical.

Pitchers

Phillippe Aumont | RHP – RP:

With a devastating fastball-curveball combo, Aumont profiles as a Major League closer.  As it stands, there is a blocker in the way, but we all know how quickly these closer situations can deteriorate.  Papelbon isn’t immune… no matter how passionately he purses his stupid lips.  I loathe Papelbon.

Justin De Fratus | RHP – RP:

De Fratus will pitch with the Phillies’ bullpen this year.  His fastball-slider repertoire draws comparisons to Brad Lidge’s and his command is advanced.  He’s probably closer to a late-innings role than Aumont, at this point.

Honorable Mention

Hitters

Sebastian Valle | C:

Valle will tackle Double-A in 2012, where at 21 years old, he’ll be among the youngest catchers in the Eastern League.  He generates good pop with a big swing, but he needs to show a lot more patience at the plate (just 3.6 BB% in 2011).  Valle has been tabbed as the Philadelphia’s future backstop.  He could be called up by the end of 2013, but a 2014 arrival seems more likely.

Pitchers

Trevor May | RHP – SP:

May’s 2.69 FIP better reflects his 2011 performance than the 3.80 ERA he posted.  In 144 IP at High-A, he fanned 12 batters per nine while managing to lower his walk rate considerably.  May is polishing his approach and his plus stuff will only get better if he continues to use it wisely.  2013 is probably the earliest he’d arrive.  Projects as a solid second starter for now, but his ceiling keeps rising.  I’m certainly anxious to see how he fares in Double-A this season.

Jon Pettibone | RHP – SP:

Pettibone will join Trevor May in the Reading rotation for 2012.  He doesn’t project quite as well as May, but his command is supreme – the best in the system.  Nothing overwhelming in terms of pure stuff, but he’s got enough to make it as a backend, innings-eating starter.  Long shot for a late-season arrival.