Phillies: Jhailyn Ortiz the 1st baseman of the future?

Phillies executives have set a perfect timeline for one of their prospects

The Phillies signing for first baseman Carlos Santana surprised many across baseball considering the success of Rhy Hoskins as a rookie. With the slugger Hoskins expected to start in left field, similar to Pat Burrell after starting his career at third, the Phillies have their starting eight set for 2018, barring any trades.

Santana is signed through the 2020 season with a club option through 2021 worth $17.5 million. He’ll provide a veteran voice with championship experience and one of the best set of eyes at the plate in the game.

Beyond Santana and Hoskins sits one of the most intriguing prospects buried in the Phillies organization.

Just 19-years-old Jhailyn Ortiz is drawing attention in the lowest levels of the Phillies organization. Playing 47 games for Low-A Williamsport Ortiz hit .302 with eight home runs with a .961 OPS.

Ortiz has incredible raw power and showed the ability to use his bat not just for power, but to get on base and move runners. There’s 40 home run potential in his bat, which has a unique sound at the point of contact.

MLB Pipeline projects Ortiz to be major league ready in 2020, the final year of Santana’s contract. Much will change over the next three years, but it appears the organization is using Santana as a placeholder until Ortiz is ready.

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For all we know Ortiz will never materialize, Santana will be traded midseason, and Hoskins will return as the franchise first baseman. But until none of those things materialize this appears to be the organization’s plan while they look for the next pieces of a championship core.