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Phillies top 25 under 25: Ranking the team’s best young players

By John Town

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 12: Starting pitcher Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the first inning during a game against the against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 12, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 12: Starting pitcher Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the first inning during a game against the against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 12, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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CLEARWATER, FL – MARCH 12: Roman Quinn #24 of the Philadelphia Phillies touches the plate after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox during a spring training game at Spectrum Field on March 12, 2017 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

No. 20: OF Roman Quinn

Another year, another injury for Quinn. This time, an elbow injury could keep him off the field for the rest of the season. He hasn’t played since May 28. He was doing fairly well in Triple-A, but the injury bug comes hand-in-hand with Quinn. If he wasn’t injured all the time he would probably be in the majors right now, but he just can’t stay on the field. 2018 may be his last chance to stay healthy a full season, otherwise he’s just going to be a bust.

No. 19: 2B Daniel Brito

Brito has taken a step back this year in Low-A Lakewood, but the 19-year-old is definitely an intriguing prospect. Scouts like his hit tool, with some calling it as high as plus. He is solid on the defensive side of the ball and should be above-average there as well. The biggest question mark for Brito is how well he can fill out his frame. If he can, he should be able to be a solid second baseman at the major-league level, but it’s all about projection.

No. 18: RHP Drew Anderson

Anderson made his major-league debut against the Angels, allowing two runs – one earned – while also striking out Mike Trout, one of the league’s best players. He then quickly returned to the Double-A rotation, where Anderson has a 3.59 ERA and 2.15 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 21 starts. Anderson had a strong return from Tommy John surgery which prompted the team to add him to the 40-man roster last winter. The team sees enough in him as some sort of starter in the future, perhaps even more than a back-end arm.

No. 17: LHP Ranger Suarez

This is Suarez’s first year in full-season action after being signed way back in 2012. Suarez has developed a lot since then and this year is where he is really starting to stand out. He started off the year in Lakewood, striking out 27.8 percent of opposing hitters while posting a 1.59 ERA in 14 starts. He was then promoted to Clearwater where he has a 3.00 ERA and 2.46 fielding-independent pitching through six starts. Suarez’s fastball can reach up to 95 mph and usually sits in the low-90s. His changeup is an above-average secondary pitch and he has the workings of an average curveball. The 22-year-old is Rule 5 eligible (again) this winter and may wind up having to be protected if the team feels someone else will try to steal him.

No. 16: LHP JoJo Romero

Romero was Philadelphia’s fourth-round pick last year and had a strong debut in the New York-Penn League with short-season Williamsport. This year he has taken another step forward, posting a 2.23 ERA, 2.84 FIP, 1.094 WHIP, and 3.55 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 20 starts between Lakewood and Clearwater this season. His fastball is in about the same range as Suarez and he also possess a plus fastball. Romero is developing both a slider and curve and both could be average pitches. He has good control but does need to work on his command. Romero could rise quickly from here and start next year in Double-A with a strong finish to the season.

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