Pat Neshek is out, but the Phillies have gotten three young players to build towards the future
The first of perhaps many Phillies trades occurred Wednesday night after a 9-0 win against the Astros when the team sent reliever Pat Neshek to the Colorado Rockies.
In return for the 36-year-old Neshek the Phillies received three young players from the lower levels of the Rockies farm system: INF Jose Gomez, RHP J.D. Hammer, and SP Alejandro Raquena.
Gomez is the player in the deal ranked by MLB.com in the Rockies top-30 prospects rankings, playing shortstop, second, and third this season. He’s currently on the seven-day disabled list with the Rockies Single-A club with an injury unknown to us at the moment.
More from Phillies Prospects
- Prospect Andrew Baker could help Phillies bullpen in 2023
- Phillies manager suggests Andrew Painter could make Opening Day roster
- Phillies No. 1-ranked prospect Andrew Painter receives national accolade
- Phillies top prospect Andrew Painter continues to dominate
- Philadelphia Phillies prospects thriving is a positive sign for the future
Prior to the injury, which was suffered fairly recently, Gomez was hitting .324 with 103 hits in 81 games. That included 26 extra base hits while also swiping 18 bags. In 280 minor league games, Gomez has 73 career stolen bases.
If healthy, Gomez could start his career in the Philadelphia organization with Lakewood in Full-A ball.
The 20-year-old Requena has started 19 games in Single-A, with an 8-3 and a 2.85 ERA. He does have 97 strikeouts to 25 walks in 117.0 innings pitched but has allowed nine home runs. Signing as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2013, Requena could move through the Phillies organization by starting in Lakewood or even Reading if deemed ready.
Hammer is a closer coming out of the Rockies organization with 13 saves in 14 opportunities in the 2017 season. Holding opposing batters to a .183 average the 23-year-old Hammer could move quickly through the organization as a 24th round draft selection out of Marshall University.
Next: Phillies have a top-10 farm system
All three of these players may not reach the major leagues for a considerable amount of time based on their age and lack of professional baseball experience. If one of the three can develop into a building block going Philadelphia forward will have won this trade with the Rockies.