Phillies 2015 All-Prospect Team
As we begin to gear up for spring training here at TBOH, let’s take one more look at some of the top prospects in the Philadelphia Phillies farm system. This position-by-position peek into the future takes a few liberties, but will try to paint as accurate a picture as possible of the current prospect outlook.
Of the prospects who did not make it on to the team, or were not named as an “honorable mention” at any of the positions, the player with the best chance to advance on to the team may be lefty pitcher and former 1st round draft choice Jesse Biddle. He lost most of his 2014 season to injury. A big bounce-back is not out of the question, and his pure talent is worthy of mention here.
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Now, on to the 2015 Phillies All-Prospect Team…..
FIRST BASE: there are a number of outfield prospects in the organization who could end up drifting in to handle first base, either due to depth issues or their own limitations. Dylan Cozens has as good a chance as any of making that move. A lefty bat with some pop, he’s moved in here not because he can’t handle rightfield, but because there are a number of others who can, and at 6’6″ and 235 lbs, he fits the classic profile. Honorable Mention: Rhys Hoskins
SECOND BASE: the son of former big leaguer Jose, Jesmuel Valentin came to the Phillies from the Dodgers last summer in the Roberto Hernandez deal. He has shown ability to become both a quality 2nd baseman defensively, and an offensive producer with both his bat and his legs. While he’s a long way from being Chase Utley, or even Utley-Lite at this early point, he is the best option as the fan favorites eventual replacement. Honorable Mention: Cesar Hernandez
SHORTSTOP: the consensus top prospect in the Phillies system is also one of the Top 20 prospects in all of baseball. J.P. Crawford is a natural shortstop who will stay at the position, and who projects by many to be an all-star caliber player at the major league level. The Phils were blessed to have Jimmy Rollins at the position for the last 15 years. Sometime soon, possibly as soon as 2016, we could be seeing a similar run beginning by Crawford. Honorable Mention: K.C. Serna
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THIRD BASE: having already broken in for his first cup of coffee last September, Phillies fans have been awaiting the full arrival of Maikel Franco for a couple of years now. The wait should end in 2015. Franco could end up at 1st base, but he is actually a better defender at 3rd than incumbent Cody Asche, and has far more offensive ability. It should only be a matter of time before his power bat is playing the hot corner at Citizens Bank Park. Honorable Mention: Zach Green
CATCHER: Deivi Grullon is very young and very raw still. But he already shows the tools and ability to project as a solid defensive catcher who could be a major league backup. Now, can he develop his offensive game enough to become a starter in the big leagues? That will be the big question as he continues moving forward in the system over the next 2-3 seasons. Honorable Mention: Tommy Joseph
LEFT FIELD: the Phillies future outfield could break a number of different ways. Aaron Altherr has always been a good-looking prospect with tons of tools. As he gets older and gains more experience, he is going to need to start actually matching production with those tools. He could explode into prospect prominence at any time, or fade into obscurity. This 2015 season will be a huge one in his developmental time-table, and we should have a much better idea of his true upside by the end of this summer. Honorable Mention: Cameron Perkins
CENTER FIELD: a former shortstop, it is still possible that the organization could ultimately return Roman Quinn to the infield, possibly at 2nd base. However, at least for the time being, they have committed themselves to trying to turn him into a speedy centerfielder. Early returns have been mostly positive. He has speed to burn and knows how to use it on the base paths. However, due largely to his lack of experience out there, his defensive reads are still a work in progress. If he takes to center completely, he could be a dynamic leadoff hitter in Philly some day. If not, he could still end up with a utility job one day. Honorable Mention: Cord Sandberg
RIGHT FIELD: In the toughest decision, we’ll go for now with Carlos Tocci as the rightfielder on this team. He has the defensive ability to play anywhere in the outfield, including in center. The Venezuelan teenager still needs to bulk up and develop a stronger offensive game if he wants to become a starter in the big leagues some day. There is little doubt that his defensive chops alone could prove enough to get him a reserve role. Honorable Mention: Aaron Brown
RIGHT-HANDED PITCHER: I am convinced now that ranking the two righties listed here in the opposite order was a mistake during our first-ever TBOH Top 10 Phillies Prospects list. The Phillies 1st round draftee in 2014, Aaron Nola is likely to be a member of the Phils rotation soon, and for a long time to come. We could even see him debut some time this coming summer, depending on the health and performance of the veterans in the rotation, as well as his own continued positive development. Honorable Mention: Zach Eflin
LEFT-HANDED PITCHER: Another close call here, but again changing up from our TBOH Top 10 to go with Matt Imhof. With more physicality and deceptiveness, he projects to remain a starter, and has an excellent chance to at least reach his current peak as a 3-4 starter in the big leagues. If he can get his changeup to catch up quickly with his already passable fastball-curveball combo, he will come fast, possibly just behind Nola. Honorable Mention: Tom Windle