Junius Worth
David Kerr
Charlie Nehl
gawlowskib
Andrew Martin
Jonathan C. Mitchell
johnczech
Daniel Marino
Michael Schwartze
mlbdirtstaff
Spencer Schneier
William J. Tasker
The Philadelphia Phillies have depleted their system recently in trades for some seriously good MLB talent in Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Hunter Pence but they still have some depth when it comes to near ready arms for the bullpen and low level upside starters with ideal pitching frames.
Below are my top 16 prospects with 2012 opening day age, position, and comments on each player. Below the top 16 is a small list of additional notable names. Enjoy.
| Player | Comments | |
| 1 | Trevor May (22-RHP) | I had the pleasure of seeing May both in 2010 and 2011 and he was a very different pitcher the second time around working with a low-to-mid-90s fastball that works well up in the zone, overpowering hitters with ease. His curveball flashed plus on a few occasions but had more occasions of below-average offerings than plus. His change up is consistently average but with out the bite his curveball has. He has below-average command and only average control and needs to improve those aspects of his game to reach his ceiling. He has a frame capable of eating innings and should be at least a workhorse starter. |
| 2 | Jesse Biddle (20-LHP) | Already has the frame of an inning-eater and could add 1-2 mph to his current low-to-mid-90s fastball. His change-up has plus potential but his breaking ball is below-average and his control is well below-average. I look forward to getting a better look at him in the FSL but he has #2-3 potential. |
| 3 | Jonathan Pettibone (21-RHP) | He has a good approach on the mound and seems to know the limitations of his stuff. He works best with his low-90s 2-seamer and will elevate eye levels with a 92-95 mph 4-seamer that is straight and should be used less often. His change-up is above-average and his slider looks to be an average offering. He has well above-average command and control and has the frame to eat innings (a command theme so far). He does not have the ceiling of the guys ahead of him but a much higher probability. |
| 4 | Sebastian Valle (21-C) | His throwing accuracy has improved to go along with an above-average arm and his blocking is above-average as well. He has good bat speed but lacks discipline at the plate and needs to refine his approach if he wants to end up as more than a back-up. There is potential here for an above-average regular, though, thanks to the athleticism and defense, and potential with the bat. |
| 5 | Brody Colvin (21-RHP) | He went the opposite direction of May and took a step backwards last season. He has an ideal frame with room to add muscle for durability but he is erratic and honestly looked like a reliever to me last year. His fastball can hit the mid-to-upper-90s in short stints but sits in the low-90s and his curveball and change up are about average. He has the ceiling of a #2-3 starter but I see a more realistic #5 starter or power reliever here but he has time to reach his ceiling. |
| 6 | Larry Greene (19-OF) | Last year’s first round pick has huge raw power that has been compared to Ryan Howard and he will strikeout a lot like Howard as well. There is no pro data on him so I do not know how we will adjust to pro ball but if he can show at least an average approach and come somewhere close to average defense he could be a legitimate 30-35 HR threat. |
| 7 | Phillippe Aumont (23-RHP) | His chances to be a SP are over but he has the ability to be a high-leverage reliever with a mid-to-high-90s 4-seams and 92-95 mph 2-seamer. He also has a curveball that is well above-average and flashes plus but needs to work on his below-average command. |
| 8 | Justin De Fratus (24-RHP) | Big right-hander with an above-average fastball/breaking ball combo and can get a groundball when needed. He is ready for the Big League pen now. |
| 9 | Julio Rodriguez (21-RHP) | Another big frame with room to add muscle and hopefully some velocity to a fastball that sits 88-91 but he pairs it with two breaking balls and a change-up, all of which are around average offerings. He also has slightly above-average control and command. He has the chance to be a back end starter who can eat innings and I believe a decent probability of doing so. |
| 10 | Maikel Franco (19-3B) | Showed power potential and a good walk rate until he reached Lakewood where he dropped off completely. Has plenty of arm for 3B and at least an average glove. He could turn some heads if his power continues to develop and he regains his patience he should in Williamsport. |
| 11 | Perci Garner (23-RHP) | Here is the report from Dave Gershman of Penn League Report: Really liked Garner, he just can’t stay healthy. Great guy, good stuff (FB 94-95) (SL is a plus pitch). Has ML potential. He does throw hard but injuries have randomly occurred. |
| 12 | Jiwan James (23-OF) | If you like tools then James is your guy. He has plus speed and can play good defense in CF with solid range and speed and at least an average arm there. He is still a bit raw on offense with a poor approach at the plate and on the base paths and the power has not developed as the org would have liked. He strikes out a bunch and the walks need to improve. He has the tools to be a regular but looks to be more of a 4th OFer right now. |
| 13 | Austin Wright (22-LHP) | Finally another left-hander to add to the rankings. Wright has a big, durable frame, and comes armed with a low-90s fastball with good deception and an above-average breaking ball. He has #4-5 starter written all over him and needs to develop a third pitch and improve his command. |
| 14 | Freddy Galvis (22-SS) | The glove is ready now but I don’t believe the bat will ever be better even average and a utility role looks to be his best fit. |
| 15 | Lisalberto Bonilla (21-RHP) | Reminds me a lot of Julio Rodriguez but with a little more velocity and less frame. He will need to keep the ball down to stay on the right track as a starter due to his small frame and lack of plus offerings. |
| 16 | Roman Quinn (18-SS) | Plus-plus speed but no place on defense right now and is just learning to switch-hit. If he can take to the switch-hitting well and prove to stay in the middle of the diamond he could be a riser on my board. |
A few more names to watch: Matt Rizzotti (1B), Michael Schwimer (RHP), Austin Hyatt (RHP)
-Jonathan C. Mitchell can be found writing about the Tampa Bay Rays at DRaysBay and the Florida Marlins at ESPN’s SweetSpot site Marlins Daily. You can follow him on twitter at @FigureFilbert. Be sure to follow MLBdirt at @MLBdirt
Filed under: On the Farm - Prospects Tagged: | 2012 Top Prospects, Austin Hyatt, Austin Wright, Brody Colvin, Freddy Galvis, Jesse Biddle, Jiwan James, Jonathan Pettibone, Julio Rodriguez, Justin De Fratus, Larry Greene, Lisalberto Bonilla, Maikel Franco, Matt Rizzotti, Michael Schwimer, Perci Garner, Philadelphia Phillies, Phillippe Aumont, Prospects, Roman Quinn, Sebastian Valle, Trevor May
Depleted is really an understatement. It’s been a stretch to find players ‘good enough’ to be worth protecting in our Franchise League. Your top 4 are find. There has been quite bit rumblings that Justin De Fratus could close at some point and has 36 saves the last two seasons. He’s a funny kid too; he says pretty random stuff on twitter.
I think De Fratus is in the pen this year (he got a late call-up in 2011) and he does have the potential to close although I see him as more of a “set-up” guy. I need to check him out on Twitter if he is as funny as you say.
@justindefratus
Yeah, he’ll be a low pressure setup guy this year, that could 8th inning guy with Antonio Bastardo if he pitches well. He won’t ever close as long as Papelbon is in town and healthy.
[...] MLB Dirt [...]
[...] Trevor May (RHP – PHI) [...]