The Phillies won the 2008 World Series and are stocked at the major league level, so they're probably not too concerned with what kind of reviews their farm system is drawing. But for my purposes that's the main focus, and in Philadelphia's case, it is not deep at all. They do have a star-in-the-making at the forefront of the pipeline, and they don't regret trading for Cliff Lee or Roy Halladay, but I'm not bullish on Philadelphia's system.
Top Prospects
Domonic Brown, of
Age: 22 Level: Double-A-Triple-A
Brown is one of the finest outfield prospects in the game right now. The 6-5 lefty's premium athleticism and tools give him virtually boundless potential. His plus bat speed and solid command of the zone enabled him to hit .299/.377/.504 this season between High A and Double-A. Brown's physicality evokes Darryl Strawberry and he has barely begun to tap into his enormous power reserves. He also has a cannon in right. For his wondrous tools, though, Brown is extremely raw. His natural gifts help him succeed, but he looks like he has been playing for only a few years. Brown has an unorthodox, flailing swing and sometimes struggles with pitch recognition. His profile hinges on how much power he ultimately grows into. He is a poor defender in right with work to do on his reads and routes. Brown will be a superstar if he refines his fundamental baseball skills.
Phillippe Aumont, rhp
Age: 20 Level: Double-A-Triple-A
It's an indictment on the Phillies' farm system that an erratic reliever is their 2nd-best prospect. In his defense, though, Aumont has a fairly high upside. The towering Canadian, who went 15th overall in the 2007 draft, used a power repertoire to rack up a 26.2 K% in 2009. His fastball has nasty sink and touches the high-90s and his hard 11-5 curveball can be a swing-and-miss pitch. Aumont has trouble harnessing his stuff and mechanics, however. He is anchored to the bullpen and he posted a 10.2 BB% this year. If Aumont adds polish, he could be set-up man.
Sebastian Valle, c
Age: 19 Level: Low A-Low A
The $30,000 bonus for which Philadelphia signed Valle out of Mexico in 2006 looks like a bargain now. Valle has plus offensive potential, with the bat speed and hittability to produce for contact and power. He needed a demotion to Short-Season to get back on track after he stumbled in the South Atlantic League this year, though. Valle tore it up back in the NY-P League and in winter ball, but needs to temper his aggressive approach (6.8 BB% and 20.3 K% in 2009). The 6-1, 170-pounder is a fringe-average defender and needs more polish. He has gotten some reps at third base. Valle will repeat Low A in hopes of refining his defense.
Tyson Gillies, of
Age: 21 Level: High A-Double-A
Gillies uses his top-of-the-line speed to create havoc. The Canadian uses a spray approach from the left side, relying on his wheels to get on base. He had a breakout '09 campaign, hitting .341/.430/.486 and appearing in the Futures Game. He was, however, greatly aided by the friendly environs of the California League, and though he piled up 44 steals his stolen-base success rate was just 69.8%. Gillies, a 2006 draftee from Iowa Western CC, does have the potential to be an outstanding defensive centerfielder. An intense competitor, his drive and hard-nosed mentality has helped him overcome hearing deficiencies. Gillies' ultimate offensive ceiling is in question, though. He has below-average power and I'm doubtful his small-ball approach will do much when he faces advanced pitchers at less hitter-friendly levels. His control of the zone (60-81 BB-K this season) is a plus, though. Gillies' numbers will undoubtedly regress next year in Double-A; I'm interested to see if he continues to produce enough to develop into a starting outfielder.
Antonio Bastardo, lhp
Age: 24 Level: MLB
Bastardo stands out among a sea of high-risk, high-reward Phils prospects because the Dominican lefty actually has major league experience. Though undersized, Bastardo's fastball sits in the low-90s. His changeup is also a weapon. His slider is a fringy pitch and could use more consistency. He has dealt with shoulder problems the last 2 years. Bastardo could fill the #4 slot in a rotation, but his durability points to a 7th-inning role.
J.C. Ramirez, rhp
Age: 21 Level: High A-Double-A
Ramirez, a projectable Nicaraguan who came over for Cliff Lee, has yet to take off (4.76 FIP and just a 2.1 K-BB in 2009) despite tantalizing ingredients. The 6-3, 225-pounder has a 92-93 mph fastball that has excellent life and hits 97. His hard breaking ball flashes plus potential. There is a disconnect, however, between his stuff and his results. Ramirez needs to work on his changeup, as well as the nuances of pitching. Perhaps a Rafael Soriano-type, Ramirez will head to Double-A in 2010 looking to put it all together.
Trevor May, rhp
Age: 20 Level: Low A-High A
The Phillies shipped Jason Knapp, a tall, power-armed Northern righthander, to the Indians this July, but they still have a prospect of that ilk in their system. May, a 2008 4th-rounder from a Washington high school, had a solid full-season debut in 2009 (29.4 K%, 2.99 FIP, 0.35 HR/9). He flashed a fastball that hit the mid-90s (but generally only sat in the 87-93 mph range) and a decent curveball and changeup. Simply put, though, May is raw and unrefined. He is wild (13.3 BB%) and needs to improve on the finer points of pitching. May's secondary pitches need more consistency, and he needs to build up durability after tossing just 77 innings this season. May will begin 2010 in High A.
Anthony Gose, of
Age: 19 Level: Low A-High A
Gose was one of the toolsy athletes that Philly targeted in the 2008 draft. A 2nd-rounder from a California high school, Gose has a trio of tools that border on plus-plus. The 6-1, 190-pounder has blazing speed and led the minors in steals in 2009. He'll be an even greater threat when his instincts improve. Gose covers serious ground in center and his lightning left arm makes him an excellent defender. His offense needs an overhaul, though. He lacks pitch recognition skills and doesn't stay within himself. Gose doesn't drive the ball enough or hit with authority on a regular basis, though he does have some untapped raw power. He posted a .259/.323/.353 line with a 35-110 BB-K ratio this year and his tools will be completely muted if he doesn't make progress at the plate. An energetic player who works hard and puts forth consistent effort, Gose is a classic high-risk, high-reward prospect. He'll advance to High A for the upcoming season.
Brody Colvin, rhp
Age: 19 Level: none-Low A
A 7th-round pick this year, Colvin pocketed $900,000 to forgo LSU. He needs to add polish and consistency, but he has a high ceiling. Colvin can sit in the low-90s and projects to throw even harder as he fills out. His fastball has some movement, and his hard 11-5 curveball has even filthier break. His mechanics, command, and changeup all need work. The athletic 6-4, 190-pounder has a power arm for the Phillies to develop, but he's several years away.
Yohan Flande, lhp
Age: 23 Level: Double-A-MLB
Flande languished in Rookie-ball for 3 seasons before finally getting over the hump this season. The 23-year-old Dominican had a strong showing between High A and Double-A (3.34 FIP), and he appeared in the Futures Game to top it off. Flande's fastball sits at 87-91 mph and reaches 93. His plus changeup is his best pitch, while his slider is still making progress. Flande has a wild delivery and his numbers regressed in Double-A. He will probably fill a bullpen role in the big leagues, perhaps starting with a September call-up in 2010.
Others: RHPs Jarred Cosart, Scott Mathieson, and Justin De Fratus; 1B Jonathan Singleton; SS Freddy Galvis; OF Leandro Castro
Impact Talent: C-
Farm System Depth: C-
2010 Breakout Prospect
Domingo Santana, of
Age: 17 Level: Rookie-Low A
Santana is very raw and it might even be rushed to predict that he'll have success in 2010, but he has gigantic upside and could vault up prospect lists in the near future. A huge 6-5, 200-pounder, Santana has immense power potential from the right side. He has a sound swing and had a nice pro debut, putting up a .220 IsoP in the GCL. He has major strikeout issues to work out (31.7 K%) and will probably be too hefty to be a true all-around threat, but Santana's plus arm and power make him a fit in right field. He has ample time to improve his pitch recognition and perhaps become the next Jermaine Dye.
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