Phillies: 5 Philadelphia Prospects Expected To Debut In 2017
The Phillies rebuild is hitting a boiling point, and were more than likely getting an overflow of fresh faces in Philadelphia this season.
The Phillies are more than likely going to add some quality veterans this offseason to help balance a very young team – but that doesn’t mean we wont be seeing the arrival of some of the club’s top prospects next season.
However the club is doing next season, good or bad, they’ve been consistent with calling up prospects when they feel that particular prospect is ready. (Jake Thompson being the latest).
We’re not going to list Jorge Alfaro and Roman Quinn for they’ve already debuted for the Phils. Still, both are on the 40-man roster, both are top prospects, and both will play in Philadelphia next year: Quinn being a prime fourth outfielder candidate out of spring (if healthy) – and barring a Cameron Rupp, trade, Alfaro will need more time – and is likely a September call-up.
Regardless, we’re going to see some new faces next year. Players who could be in Philadelphia for a long time.
With that in mind, lets take a look at the five prospects most likely to be called up to the Phillies next season:
When exactly is unknown, but J.P Crawford will be on the Phillies at some point in 2017.
J.P. Crawford will be on the Phillies next season. I don’t know for how long, I don’t know when, and quite frankly, it doesn’t matter.
His approach at the plate is something the Phillies could use right now. Even if he doesn’t hit for the highest average (.278 career average), the kid will get on base (.372 OBP career in minors). His discipline and plate vision is of a 10-year veteran, and he’s just 21.
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Playing next to a defensive ace like Freddy Galvis should help his defensive flaws, which are highly attributed to Crawford’s lack of defensive counter-parts and his unfilled frame.
However, while Crawford’s body is not filled out just yet (standing 6’2″, weighing 180 pounds), he’s not projected to become massive. His body shouldn’t be a huge factor in his call-up. He’s just a bit too rangy for himself at the moment.
He’s the 6th rated prospect in baseball according to MLB.com, played most of the 2016 season at Lehigh Valley (AAA) – and while he could still use some more time in AAA – he’s very close.
Expect Crawford in Philadelphia by September at the latest. He’s 100 percent going to play for the Phillies in 2017 in some capacity.
One of the key pieces in the Phillies Cole Hamels trade, Nick Williams is coming off a doozy of a year, but expectations are still high on the 23-year-old outfielder.
Nick Williams wasn’t right in 2016. He was often called out for his mistakes in the field, and never got it together at the plate. He’s still raw as an athlete, and undisciplined at the plate (19BB/136K), but expectations are still very high on the outfielder.
It’s easy to see why.
Even for all his flaws this past year in Lehigh Valley, Williams still managed 52 extra-base hits due to his lightning quick bat. He also remains a good defender due to his speed and range (2.20 RF/9).
Power and defense is the name of Williams game. With the potential to add left handed balance through the heart of the order and save runs defensively, Williams isn’t too far away from playing in Philadelphia.
Once Williams shows a more disciplined approach at the plate he’ll soon be a Phillie.
A potential versatile key in the Phillies future shouldn’t be waiting much longer.
Andrew Knapp is coming off a down year himself (.266/.330/.719). Though, it’s hard for a catcher to top a .308 batting average and .876 OPS season.
However, Knapp remains a key component in the Phillies future.
His swing is tailor-made for Citizen Bank Park, with his professional approach already in the fold, it’s easy to predict Knapp will hit. Which he will, the bat is there.
Knapp is going to need to add some versatility to his game to have a close to everyday role with the Phillies going forward though. The Phillies don’t want to waste value.
What he has in his favor is that he’s a pretty solid athlete with a decent build (6’1”, 195 pounds), and he’s a switch hitter.
If Knapp increases his stance as a defender, and he’s not bad by any means, he’ll be up in no time.
Ben Lively (pictured right next to Phillies GM Matt Klentak), was acquired from the Reds following the 2014 season for OF Marlon Byrd.
Ben Lively was sensational in 2016. Going an impressive 18-5 with a 2.69 ERA in 170.2 innings combined for Reading and Lehigh Valley.
Lively is a command savvy right-hander, who relies on deception and contact for success. With solid defense behind him, his slightly above average arsenal should help him find success.
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Lively is almost 25 now, with a steady building workload (465.1 IP past three seasons) He’s probably ready now, but will have to wait for the opportunity to arrive before he’s called to Philly.
However, he’ll be first in line for a call up next season, and should be up at some point.
Jonathan Papelbon was a fine closer for the Phillies, but his biggest attribute to the team could be this young right-hander.
Antics aside, Papelbon did his job while he in Philadelphia. With that, he netted a pretty good prospect in Nick Pivetta.
The big right hander (6’5”, 220 pounds) has shown flashes of greatness, but overall has back-end rotation potential.
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He’s on this list because of his age, and his improvement when he reached AAA last season. Pivetta (who turns 24 in February), finished with a 2.55 ERA in 24.1 innings for the Iron Pigs, but shown flashes of a plus fastball (93-96 mph) with power downhill command.
With a logjam at starting pitching, a limited ceiling, and the need for power arms out of the bullpen, it’s easy to see the Phillies converting Pivetta into hard-throwing reliever.
Whatever his role is, expect Pivetta in Philadelphia by September at the latest.
How can the Phillies and Pete Mackanin best utilize the incoming prospects?
The Phillies should want to play it safe with the arrival of their top prospects in 2017.
With the exception of J.P Crawford, none of the players are sure things to be everyday players upon arrival. With that said, there’s still plenty of innings and at-bats to go around on the rebuilding Phillies.
This is just my personal opinion on the situation, but Williams can be protected by only facing right-handed pitching. Lively can be limited to under six innings a start, and not be pressed to do more like the young starters from 2016. Pivetta can be a hard-throwing swing/long man every bullpen craves for nowadays. Knapp (who has logged around 50 inning at first base in his career) can be a backup for both Tommy Joseph and Rupp, getting at-bats from more than one position, providing extra versatility for the team with the ability to switch-hit.
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The Phillies need to learn from 2016 and do a better job if protecting prospects upon arrival, and start putting them in the best position to add value to team.
However the players are used, expect them all in Philadelphia in 2017.