Philadelphia Phillies Top 20 prospects for 2018: mid-season review

Continuing with our mid-season organization reviews, we turn our attention to the Philadelphia Phillies farm system.

This list was originally published March 5^th, 2018

*****THIS IS NOT A NEW LIST******

THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE PRE-SEASON LIST

THESE ARE NOT NEW GRADES

1) Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Grade A-/B+: Age 20, signed out of Dominican Republic in 2015 for only $35,000; pitching time limited this year by a sore elbow but effective when on the mound, 2.51 ERA in 47 innings, 45/11 K/BB, 39 hits; can hit 100 and usually throws strikes; status entering 2019 will depend on health reports.

2) Scott Kingery, 2B, Grade A-/B+: Age 24, second round pick in 2015 from University of Arizona; hitting 225/.267/.332 with six homers, 21 walks, 102 strikeouts in 377 at-bats in the majors; I felt he was capable of much better and still feel that way; has made just five errors in 90 games at shortstop; I think the bat will come around eventually.

3) J.P. Crawford, SS, Grade B+: Age 23, first round pick in 2013 from high school in Lakewood, California; plagued with injuries including forearm strain and broken hand this year, limited to 93 at-bats in the majors (.194/.312/.333) and just 59 in the minors (.136/.320/.220); bad health makes this a write-off year in my view; now has 163 at-bats in the majors so he will fall off prospect lists.

4) Adonis Medina, RHP, Grade B+/B: Age 21, signed out of Dominican Republic in 2014; 4.39 ERA in 98 innings in High-A, 112/31 K/BB, 94 hits; has been gopher-vulnerable this year but K/BB and K/IP ratio continue to point to high potential; stock may be down just a bit but still somewhere in the B range.

5) Arquimedes Gamboa, SS, Grade B: Age 20, signed out of Venezuela in 2014, hitting .213/.303/.277 with 48 walks, 98 strikeouts in 394 at-bats in High-A; I expected a breakout season but I was wrong about that; has maintained command of strike zone but lack of power/strength hold him back at this point; defense continues to improve; I remain optimistic long-term.

6) Jhailyn Ortiz, OF, Grade B: Age 19, signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2015 for $4,000,000; hitting .224/.289/.371 in Low-A with 11 homers, 28 walks, 127 strikeouts in 361 at-bats; unable to duplicate excellent 2017 season in the NY-P; command of zone remains biggest obstacle; birthday and huge raw power remain attractive attributes but needs time.

7) Adam Haseley, OF, Grade B: Age 22, first round pick in 2017 from University of Virginia, hitting .302/.360/.428 between High-A and Double-A with no loss of production after promotion; 10 homers, 34 walks, 71 strikeouts in 453 at-bats; polished hitter with moderate power and speed attributes; still some tweener risk but overall a strong campaign and stock holding up.

8) JoJo Romero, LHP, Grade B: Age 21, fourth round pick in 2016 from Yavapai Junior College, 3.80 ERA in 107 innings in Double-A, 100/41 K/BB, 97 hits; some command issues but 93 MPH sinker from left side with a solid cutter and change give him some slack; needs Triple-A time but stock holding overall.

9) Jorge Alfaro, C, Grade B-/B: Age 25, hitting .251/.310/.388 with eight homers, 16 walks, 120 strikeouts in 299 at-bats in the majors; continues to look like a star some days and a scrub on others but has held his job with combination of strong defense and just-enough hitting; my guess is that he’ll put up similar numbers for a year or two then takes a step forward at age 27-28, though whether he sustains success much past 30 will depend on conditioning/injuries. Etc.

10) Franklyn Kilome, RHP, Grade B- Age 23, signed out of Dominican Republic in 2013, 3.99 ERA with 110/58 K/BB in 126 innings in Double-A, 116 hits; traded to the New York Mets for Asdrubal Cabrera; no change in profile, has plenty of stuff but command needs more work.

11) Enyel De Los Santos, RHP, Grade B-: Age 22, from the Dominican Republic, traded from the San Diego Padres to the Phillies for Freddy Galvis in December 2017; 2.56 ERA in 116 innings in Triple-A, 102/39 K/BB, 93 hits; 6.00 in 12 major league innings; strong season in Triple-A gives hope he can remain a starter, won’t have much left to prove at that level entering 2019, stock ticking up.

12) Roman Quinn, OF, Grade B-/C+: Age 25, second round pick in 2011 out of high school in Florida; hitting .296/.349/.439 in 98 Triple-A at-bats with 13 steals; hitting .311/.326/.489 in 45 major league at-bats with four steals; blazing fast and can flash surprising pop but can’t stay healthy, his medical bills exceed the gross national product of several third world nations; he’s a lot of fun to watch when he’s not at the doctor.

13) Mickey Moniak, OF, Grade B-/C+: Age 20, first round pick in 2016, first overall, from high school in Carlsbad, California; hitting .263/.296/.380 with five homers, 20 walks, 95 strikeouts in 400 at-bats in High-A; it is not a good year but is somewhat better than his .236/.284/.341 line in ’17; physical tools are there but polish is nothing like what was advertised out of high school.

14) Cornelius Randolph, OF, Grade B-/C+: Age 21, first round pick in 2015 from high school in Georgia; hitting .238/.318/.317 with 45 walks, 91 strikeouts in 391 at-bats in Double-A; power has dropped off significantly against Double-A pitching; continues to draw walks at a decent clip but overall the transition has been disappointing; lacks speed and defense to be interesting if he doesn’t show more power.

15) Ranger Suarez, LHP, Grade B-/C+: Age 22, signed out of Venezuela in 2012, 2.89 ERA in 106 innings in Double-A/Triple-A with 76/32 K/BB, 97 hits; has started two games in the majors; velocity has picked up, ground ball generator with low-90s fastball, slider, curve, change-up; additional Triple-A to refine his control would be helpful but stock ticking up overall.

16) Francisco Morales, RHP, Grade B-/C+: Age 18, signed out of Venezuela in 2016, 5.52 ERA in 46 innings in the New York-Penn League, 57/29 K/BB; looks like a pitcher with 6-4, 190 build, fastball can hit mid-90s but secondary pitches and overall command need more polish, as to be expected given his birthday.

17) Seranthony Dominguez, RHP, Grade C+/B-: Age 23, Dominican right-hander signed in 2011; successful in major league pen, 2.28 ERA in 43 innings, 56/13 K/BB, 14 saves; seems entirely legitimate, just faces the obstacles common to all young pitchers, health mainly.

18) Jose Taveras, RHP, Grade C+/B-: Age 24, signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2012; has missed almost entire season with shoulder problems and was recently designated for assignment off the 40-man roster.

19) Tom Eshelman, RHP, Grade C+/B-: Age 24, second round pick by Houston Astros in 2015 from Cal State Fullerton, traded to Phillies in Ken Giles transaction; 5.61 ERA in 128 innings in Triple-A with 95/44 K/BB, 171 hits; has always lived on the margins due to mediocre fastball but International League hitters have punished every location mistake this year; skeptics will croon but the fact remains he dominated the same league in ’17 (2.23 in 121 innings, 80/13 K/BB); red flag is large increase in walk rate this season.

20) Kyle Young, LHP, Grade C+: Age 20, 22^nd round pick in 2016 from high school in Long Island, New York; missed time with injuries but effective when healthy, 2.98 ERA with 43/7 K/BB in 48 innings in Low-A; recently sent to rookie ball rehab for elbow soreness.

OTHER GRADE C+:

Eliezer Alvarez, 2B; Traded to Texas Rangers in March, hitting .226/.298/.378 in Double-A.

Drew Anderson, RHP; 3.75 ERA in 94 innings, 76/25 K/BB in Triple-A, control type who might surprise.

Victor Arano, RHP; Very nice major league season, 2.79 ERA in 48 innings, 51/14 K/BB, could have long career, could close.

Harold Arauz, RHP; 5.14 ERA in 124 innings in Double-A/Triple-A, 111/40 K/BB, 141 hits; might fit better in bullpen.

Trevor Bettencourt, RHP; Time limited by injury but effective when healthy, 2.64 ERA in 31 innings (AA and rehab), 35/11 K/BB; bullpen arm in the future.

Daniel Brito, 2B; .252/.308/.345 in Low-A/High-A, 31 walks, 73 strikeouts in 377 at-bats, 16 steals; very reliable glove, hitting might improve since he’s just 20.

Dylan Cozens, OF; Hitting .238/.343/.517 with 18 homers, 43 walks, 112 strikeouts in 261 at-bats in Triple-A, 2-for-20 with a home run and 14 whiffs in the majors; no surprise, big power with big contact issues.

Bailey Falter, LHP; 2.76 ERA in 82 innings in High-A, 79/13 K/BB; sleeper prospect, do not overlook.

Nick Fanti, LHP; 7.22 ERA in 29 innings in High-A, 18/9 K/BB, has missed most of season with back injury.

Colby Fitch, C; Hitting .247/.366/.401 in Low-A, 38 walks, 74 strikeouts in 227 at-bats; strong glove will keep him employed long enough for us to see if the bat holds up.

Edgar Garcia, RHP; 3.22 ERA in 59 innings in Double-A, 67/25 K/BB, just 43 hits; bullpen candidate soon.

Julian Garcia, RHP; 2.63 ERA in 65 innings in Low-A, 78/23 K/BB, 52 hits; another relief arm to track.

Luis Garcia, SS; Hitting .363/.430/.481 in rookie ball, excellent season, strong defense to go with the bat, stock rising rapidly, do not overlook.

Jose Gomez, INF; Hitting .218/.254/.258 in High-A; steady glove, utility infielder projection if bat can improve.

Brayan Gonzalez, SS; Hitting .194/.262/.261 in NY-P; just 18 years old which is good because he can’t hit yet; another steady glove

Deivi Grullon, C; Hitting .287/.323/.551 with 21 homers, 16 walks, 70 strikeouts in 296 at-bats in Double-A; needs more polish on defense but power surge makes the bat intriguing;

Darick Hall, 1B; Quite good in High-A (.277/.367/.538) but not so good after moving up to Double-A (.227/.290/.424) though still showing power, 24 homers overall.

J.D. Hammer, RHP; Injured most of the season, just now picking up innings in High-A.

Spencer Howard, RHP; 3.92 ERA in 101 innings in Low-A, 131/40 K/BB, 87 hits; a pretty solid season, though this should be expected from a college pitcher in the Sally League.

Cole Irvin, LHP; Excellent year, 2.71 ERA in 149 innings in Triple-A, 122/33 K/BB, 127 hits; average stuff but uses it well, ready for a trial.

Luke Leftwich, RHP; 4.12 ERA in 55 innings in Double-A, 59/23 K/BB, another bullpen candidate in the next year or two.

Mauricio Llovera, RHP; 3.92 ERA in 108 innings in High-A, 117/31 K/BB, 91 hits; very similar to 2017 performance in Low-A, stock holding.

Jhordany Mezquita, LHP; 3.60 ERA in 35 innings in the NY-P, 41/17 K/BB, 28 hits; breakthrough candidate for 2019.

McKenzie Mills, LHP; Traded to Miami Marlins, 4.25 ERA in 95 innings between High-A and Double-A, 88/35 K/BB; lefty with a pulse.

Alejandro Requena, RHP; Started year on DL but has been in action since early July, 3.98 ERA in 52 innings in High-A, 51/21 K/BB.

Yacksel Rios, RHP; 5.90 ERA in 29 major league innings, 29/13 K/BB, will be 11^th/12^th man on MLB staffs for next five years.

Connor Seabold, RHP; 4.20 ERA in 124 innings between High-A and DoubleA, 129/31 K/BB, 106 hits; low-90s fastball, good change-up, throws strikes.

Mitch Walding, 3B; Hitting .276/.401/.503 with 19 homers, 68 walks, 130 strikeouts in 348 at-bats in Triple-A; nice glove at third base, older prospect at age 25.

Jesmuel Valentin, 2B .240/.346/.341 in 129 at-bats in Triple-A, .177/.258/.304 in 79 major league at-bats; role player projection but might surprise in his late 20s; he’s 24 now.

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Thinking ahead to 2019, 2018 first-rounder Alec Bohm will likely rank at the top and also expect a big leap for rapidly-developing infielder Luis Garcia. Lefty David Parkinson has gone from a Grade C into the B range somewhere with a brilliant season in A-Ball (1.43, 130/32 K/BB).

Kingery and Crawford haven’t lived up to expectations for various reasons but I still like their chances long-term.