WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 25: A general view during the third inning of the Tokyo, Japan team playing in the field against the West team from Chula Vista, Ca during the Little League World Series Championship game on August 25, 2013 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WILLIAMSPORT, PA – AUGUST 25: A general view during the third inning of the Tokyo, Japan team playing in the field against the West team from Chula Vista, Ca during the Little League World Series Championship game on August 25, 2013 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
Short-season Williamsport began their season Monday night and several Phillies prospects are worth watching on this team.
With the draft completed, the short-season minor-leagues are set to begin. The Phillies short-season Class-A affiliate, the Williamsport CrossCutters, started off their season Monday night in the New York-Penn League against the State College Spikes. Our own George Stockburger was there on the call for the Spikes.
While several players from this year’s draft class are expected to join Williamsport’s roster, there are already some interesting prospects on this team’s roster. Let’s take a look at just a few who are worth following this season.
Outfielder Jhaiyln Ortiz
The Phillies broke the bank in 2015 to sign Jhaiyln Ortiz, giving the then-16 year old four million dollars to sign with the team. They hope he can turn his monster raw power into tangible game power as he develops, making him an impactful hitter in the lineup.
Last year in the Gulf Coast League, Ortiz managed a meager .231 batting average and 26.9% strikeout rate in 47 games. However, he walked at a high enough rate (8.6%) and had enough extra-base hits (18) to post a decent .758 OPS.
Ortiz’s power was evident as he hit eight home runs, good for third in the Gulf Coast League. Eighteen of his 40 hits went for extra-bases.
Still just 18 years old this season, Ortiz has more than enough time to develop. His power makes him a top-30 team prospect, but how his hit tool develops will be important to watch this season with the CrossCutters.
Pitcher Kyle Young
Kyle Young stands out (literally) among the pitchers at Williamsport this season. The 6’10 lefty said he was measured at seven feet tall during spring training. Without 2016 second-round pick Kevin Gowdy on the roster, Young is regarded as the best pitching prospect in Williamsport.
Last year in the GCL, Young worked mostly out of the bullpen, making nine appearances with two starts. He had a 2.67 ERA, 0.926 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, and 0.7 BB/9.
Young is regarded mostly as a finesse pitcher despite his size. During his start Monday night, his fastball was sitting between 86-89 mph. However, he is starting to climb into the low-90s, hitting 90 mph a couple times. Young even touched 92 at one point according to CrossCutters pitching coach Hector Berrios:
Cutters pitching coach Hector Berrios on 7-foot left-hander Kyle Young potentially adding some velocity this summer ... pic.twitter.com/23eP31W0y4
In his start Monday night, Young tossed five shutout innings, giving up just two hits and walking one batter. Young struck out six, using a mix of his fastball, self-styled slurve, and changeup.
Young’s projection is what makes him an intriguing prospect, and it’s hard not to dream on what the seven-footer could do. He’s still years away from that projection, but each step is important to follow.
Third Baseman Cole Stobbe
Cole Stobbe is the Phillies’ highest 2016 draft pick on this year’s Williamsport roster. He is off to a strong start this year, tallying two home runs and four hits total through his first three games. Those two home runs are already half of Stobbe’s total from last season. However, he also has six strikeouts and one walk in 12 plate appearances.
Stobbe was solid last year in the GCL. In 44 games, Stobbe had a .270/.337/.405 slash line with 13 RBI and was 3-for-9 in stolen base attempts. He walked 14 times and struck out 30 times in 168 plate appearances. Stobbe played shortstop but will move to third base this season as many expected him to.
Stobbe has the potential for average tools across the board with an above-average hit tool.
He did hit for average last season and his strikeout rate was well within reason. It could definitely be better this season, but it’s far too early to render any verdict about it.
Just four games into this season Stobbe has already made two errors in seven chances at third, but as with the strikeouts, we can’t make any decisions there either. How Stobbe performs both at the plate and at third will be important to follow as he is the team’s best – and only – third base prospect.
First Baseman Greg Pickett
Greg Pickett is an under-the-radar prospect with the potential to be an impact bat at the plate. He didn’t play last season due to injury and struggled during his professional debut in 2015 in the GCL.
During spring training, team director of player development Joe Jordan and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com discussed several potential breakout prospects for this season, and Pickett’s name came up. This is what Jordan had to say:
“He has the chance to be a really good hitter with power,” Jordan said. “He’s hit five home runs this spring. He took a 95-mph fastball from Luke Leftwich and hit it out to dead center out. It’s legitimate power. He not a real athletic kid, he’s going to have to play first, but the swing is really good.”
True to Jordan’s word, Pickett has solely manned first base this season. He hasn’t made an error yet in 35 chances, but the defense isn’t really what matters for Pickett.
Pickett’s raw power is tremendous, but his lack of game power is what drags him down as a prospect. With an uninspiring pro debut, now is the time for Pickett to show his worth at the plate. He has four hits so far this season with a home run and double to boot. It’s a small sample size, but Pickett is off to a good start to what could be his breakout season.
