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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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 11: Nick Williams #5 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 11, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

No. 4: OF Nick Williams

After struggling in Triple-A last year and falling down prospect lists, Williams had a resurgence this season. In 78 games, Williams hit for a .280/.328/.511 line with 15 home runs and 33 extra-base hits. It was about as much development we could hope for from Williams in Triple-A and he was promoted to the majors June 30. Since then, he has been just as good in the majors, posting a .292/.350/.493 line with five home runs and 24 RBI. He has been in the lineup every day since the trade deadline and he has in the inside track to a starting job next season.

No. 3: OF Mickey Moniak

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This season has not been the step forward we were hoping for from Moniak. If anything it has been a step back for 2016’s No.1 overall pick. He has a .643 OPS in 109 Low-A games and has gotten progressively worse as the season has went on. He had a .284 batting average in April but is hitting just .128 in August. Another year in Lakewood may be likely for Moniak. He still has all the raw tools that made him such a high pick, but perhaps this year’s assignment was too aggressive.

No. 2: RHP Sixto Sanchez

Perhaps the best thing about the Phillies minor-league system this year has been the continued dominance of Sanchez. After jumping onto the scene last year in the GCL, Sanchez followed it up with an impressive run of dominance in Low-A. In 13 starts, Sanchez posted a 2.41 ERA, 2.38 FIP, 25 percent strikeout rate and 3.5 percent walk rate. He was promoted to High-A earlier this month and has given up eight runs in 12 innings. However, his FIP of 2.41 and batting average on balls in play of .372 indicates that Sanchez should return to normal. Sanchez’s fastball hits 100 consistently and he has two strong secondary pitches. His control at such a young age – this is still considered his age-18 season – is impressive and many see a future ace in the young starter.

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