Phillies: 5 Prospects Likely to make an On-Field Impact in 2018

1 of 6

Which Phillies prospect will break through next year in the major leagues

Following a year characterized by breakouts from prospects like Rhys Hoskins and Nick Williams, the Phillies will once again look to their farm system in 2018 to produce talent that will manifest itself on the field. With an organization that should be in the back end of the rebuilding stage after five straight losing seasons, it is imperative that the prospects they have gathered begin to generate wins at the Major League level.

Here are five prospects who could explode onto the major league scene next season.

Embed from Getty Images

Tom Eshelman

The Phillies pitching was shaky at best last year, which has given opportunities for their multitude of pitching prospects to compete to make an immediate impact this upcoming year. The last two spots in the rotation last year were seemingly a revolving door, leaving room for a prospect like Tom Eshelman to compete for a spot on the staff.

Eshelman prides his game on control, walking only 1.6 per 9 innings in his minor league career. His fastball is sitting in the low 90’s with some sink to it. He combines that with a prototypical arsenal of a curveball, changeup, and slider, all with average break, but they have proved to be effective when coupled with Eshelman’s strong control.

He totaled a record of 10-3 at AAA Lehigh Valley last year along with a 3-0 record at AA Reading. This was enough to win him the Paul Owens Award as the Phillies’ top Minor League pitcher. He should have a shot to make an impact in Philadelphia at some point this year, as he was one of eight prospects invited to Major League Spring Training.

Victor Arano

Victor Arano, who is not necessarily a big name prospect among Phillies fans, has a real possibility of competing for a spot during Spring Training and having an impact on the field throughout the season.

A right handed pitcher, Arano played a brief but effective stint with the Phillies in 2017. Originally graded a C+ by the Phillies scouting department, Arano seemingly over performed that grade during his 10 appearances in 2017. He threw a total of 10.2 innings, striking out 13, and accumulating a 1.69 ERA. His time, albeit brief, proved that he can certainly compete at the Major League level.

With a fastball that reaches the mid 90’s along with a slider and changeup to keep hitters off balance, Arano has the stuff and the craftiness to provide strong innings out of the bullpen. With a bullpen that has been a focal point during the offseason, Arano will be a dark horse to bolster an already improving staff of relievers.

Embed from Getty Images

Scott Kingery

Scott Kingery has long been one of the Phillies most highly touted prospect since he was picked in the second round of the 2015 draft. His minor league production has not disappointed thus far, as he was honored withe Paul Owens award for best position player in the Phillies’ Minor League system. Kingery is ranked third in the Phillies farm system, and one of the best second base prospects in all of baseball.

However, he is stuck behind one of the few bright spots over the last few years in Cesar Hernandez.

After the Freddy Galvis trade, it seems the Phillies will stick with Hernandez for at least another year and Kingery may struggle to find his niche. However, he was one of eight prospects invited to Spring Training, at the very least giving him an opportunity to make the team. His minor league stats show nothing but promise, as he totaled an average of .304 between AA and AAA along with 26 HR’s.

He couples this with a stellar glove and above average speed. Kingery will undoubtedly make it very difficult for the Phillies to keep him off the major league roster.

Jorge Alfaro

Jorge Alfaro seemingly cemented his spot on the Phillies opening day roster during his time last year. Alfaro hit .318 with 5 HR’s and 14 RBI’s in just 114 plate appearances last year. He is currently ranked as baseball’s sixth best catching prospect and the Phillies’ fifth ranked prospect. However, he arguably has already had the largest impact at the Major League level.

Alfaro’s presence in Philadelphia makes for one important decision new manager Gabe Kapler will have to make. Alfaro has made it clear that he belongs in the big leagues, but with Andrew Knapp and Cameron Rupp being mainstays behind the plate in recent years, Alfaro is not guaranteed the starting job. However, Alfaro is out of minor league options and the organization must have him on the major league roster.

This means all signs point towards Alfaro making the opening day roster so he will compete for the starting role during Spring Training and could be poised to breakout in 2018.

J.P. Crawford

The city of Philadelphia has long awaited the emergence of JP Crawford and it has finally come. Gold Glove finalist Freddy Galvis’ departure via trade was the final salvo on the road to Crawford becoming the Phillies’ everyday shortstop.

Crawford is poised to take the starting role as his long-awaited role will finally come to fruition in 2018. He has long been the Phillies’ most coveted prospect and he will get the chance to prove himself in 2018. Crawford hit an underwhelming .214 in his first 87 Major League plate appearances.

This should not be cause for concern, as his performance in such a small sample size will not be a barometer for success this upcoming year. Additionally, he will have time to properly adjust in 2018, as he will be getting everyday at-bats against top-level pitching.

Next: Phillies: Pros & cons of Rhys Hoskins starting in left field

One consistent aspect of Crawford’s game was his defense as he showed flashes with the glove of the talent scouts have clamored about. Matt Klentak has properly assembled a situation for JP Crawford to smoothly transition into the team’s everyday shortstop and bring his long talked about potential to fruition in Philadelphia.

Home / Phillies Prospects