Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America
2012 (27) | 2011 (11) | 2010 (18) | 2009 (12) | 2008 (22)
2012 Affiliate Records
MLB: [81-81] NL East
AAA: [75-68] International League — Lehigh Valley
AA: [76-66] Eastern League — Reading
A+: [72-60] Florida State League — Clearwater
A: [62-76] South Atlantic League — Lakewood
A(ss): [30-46] New York-Penn League — Williamsport
Arizona Fall League Players — Peoria Javelinas
Jay Johnson (LHP); Tyler Knigge (RHP); Colby Shreve (RHP); Kyle Simon (RHP); Tommy Joseph (C); Cody Asche (3B); Zach Collier (OF)
Graduated Prospects of Note
Freddy Galvis (SS)
The Run Down
With an aging roster at the Major League level, the Phillies are a club that could really use some youthful talent. Trades during the season opened up room for Domonic Brown in the outfield and added a bit of depth to their system, but their infield is ancient and rarely healthy, and their staff, while quite good, is also on the older side. It’s definitely reasonable to expect that key Phillies will land on the DL in 2012, and it’s unfortunate, then, that their farm isn’t quite awesome. They have some nice pieces and a little more depth than last year, but overall, this is a bottom-half system and it’s lacking in the high-impact department.
Top Ten Prospects
1. Jesse Biddle, LHP: After a strong finish to 2011 at Low-A, Biddle continued to impress in 2012 at High-A Clearwater, where he posted an ERA at 3.22 and a K/9 at 9.5. The 21-year-old stands 6-4, 225, and he offers a deep repertoire. At this point, he’s is a safe bet to become an innings-eating #3-type starter, but he certainly has the potential to surpass that projection. ETA: 2014
2. Trevor May, RHP: Coming into the season, I liked May more than Biddle, but I’ve since changed my tune after a disappointing year at Double-A for May. He still features upper-90s heat and, at times, he was unhittable in 2012. The year as a whole, however, was rather inconsistent and scouts say mechanics were to blame. A shrinking K-rate, a 4.87 ERA, and a 1.45 WHIP are causes for concern, but May has the type of stuff that could return him to dominance in 2013. Among pitchers, his ceiling remains the highest in the organization. ETA: Late 2013
3. Tommy Joseph, C: Joseph arrived in Philly via San Francisco in the Hunter Pence deal. He brings big raw power — 11 HR in 2012 at Double-A — which is not typical of catching prospects. He throws well, too, and if his other tools behind the plate progress as hoped, there’s significant potential here, especially in the fantasy game. ETA: 2014
4. Larry Greene, OF/1B: Drafted 39th overall by the Phillies in 2011, Greene signed late and opened his pro career in 2012 at short-season A-ball. The big-bodied 19-year-old possesses enormous power potential, but he only managed 2 HR in 300+ PA at Williamsport. Still, he finished the year on a bit of a tear at the plate, and scouts aren’t discouraged just yet. It’d be nice to see those power figures increase significantly when he reaches full-season ball in 2013. ETA: 2015
5. Darin Ruf, 1B: Ruf had a monstrous August at Double-A Reading, blasting 20 homers during the month and earning a call-up in September. If Ryan Howard can’t stay on the field in 2013, Ruf will likely see plenty of time at first. And in that role, he’ll offer good power and average for fantasy. ETA: 2013
6. Cesar Hernandez, 2B: Hernandez hit .291/.329/.404 between Double and Triple-A in 2012, collecting 44 XBH and adding 21 stolen bases along the way. He’s safely on the Phillies’ 40-man, and he’s well positioned to take over at second as soon as Chase Utley is out of the picture. ETA: 2014
7. Maikel Franco, 3B: Franco started slow at Low-A, but turned things around with a huge second half, ending up with a line at .280/.336/.439. He can hit, and the power projection is certainly there, but physically, the 20-year-old is very raw, allowing some uncertainty about his ability to stick at third. Franco is an intriguing prospect and a guy to keep an eye on, nonetheless. ETA: 2015
8. Shane Watson, RHP: The Phillies grabbed Watson out of high school with the 40th overall pick this past June. He tossed just seven instructional league innings in his first year as a pro, so he’s a tough one to gauge at the moment, but at 6-4, 200, with mid-90s heat and a good curve, he brings loads of potential. ETA: 2016
9. Jonathan Pettibone, RHP: Pettibone had a nice year between Double and Triple-A, posting a 3.10 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. He’s a big dude (6-5, 200), but he relies on plus command, as his stuff doesn’t blow anyone away. Pettibone projects as a back-end, innings eating starter. ETA: 2013
10. Sebastian Valle, C: Valle took a bit of a step back at the plate in 2012, and the Phillies’ acquisition of Tommy Joseph doesn’t help his future outlook. He’ll have to get back on track in 2013 at Triple-A in order to reestablish himself as the catcher of the future in Philly. ETA: 2014
