Phillies Prospect Report: Left-Hander Showing Promise in Clearwater
Phillies prospects are starting to heat up in Florida and cool down in Reading
The Phillies continue to win and all eyes are on them now as we approach summer. Contrary to the last few years, attention has shifted away from the Phillies’ system, but there are still prospects to keep an eye on.
Trending Up: Bailey Falter, LHP, Clearwater
The 5th round pick in the 2015 Draft has dazzled in Clearwater this year. Falter has been in the shadows of Cornelius Randolph and Scott Kingery, who were taken ahead of him in the same draft, but this year Falter is making sure people know his name.
As of May 24th, Falter was 4-0 with a 1.60 ERA in 7 starts. In his last 4 starts, Falter has given up 1 total run. On May 12th, Falter shut down Daytona, giving up just 2 hits and striking out 11 in 6.2 scoreless innings.
Falter has shown tremendous command of the strike zone in 2018. As of May 24th, he struck out 37 hitters to just 7 walks.
Falter won’t be in the big leagues any time soon with so many good pitching prospects ahead of him and the highly touted Sixto Sanchez on the same team in Clearwater, but there is a chance he can become a piece of a trade this summer.
Trending Up: Jose Pujols, RF, Clearwater
A year ago, Pujols hit .194 in 90 games in Clearwater. He has improved drastically in his second season in the Florida State League.
As of May 24th, Pujols was hitting .301 for the Threshers, with 6 home runs and 20 RBIs.
In his last 10 games as of May 22nd, Pujols was hitting .406, going 13-32 during that stretch. Pujols has 53 strikeouts on the season, but his production is enough to make up for that.
Pujols is another player that will have trouble making it up to the Phillies, but could find himself in a trade if the Phillies are active at the deadline.
Trending Down: Ranger Suárez, LHP, Reading
Suárez pitched to a 2.27 ERA in 22 starts last year split between Lakewood and Clearwater. He has not been as dominant so far this year.
Before a hamstring injury landed him on the DL on May 12th, Suárez had a 4.25 ERA and a 1-2 record. Suárez is a long shot to make it to the Phillies before September, but he was expected to have a better start in AA.
His actual performance has not been as bad as a 4.25 ERA, however. In his first start of the year, he gave up 7 earned runs in 3.0 innings which inflated his ERA. In his 4 of his other 5 starts, he has given up 2 runs or less. In the other start, he gave up 4 runs in 6.0 innings.
When Suárez comes back from his injury, I expect him to get back on track and continue to pitch well the rest of the season.
Trending Down: Jiandido Tromp, RF, Reading
Tromp opened some eyes for a time in Spring Training this year before being sent down to the minors, but hasn’t kept that success going in Reading.
As of May 24th, Tromp was hitting .214 and slugging just .301 in 34 games. In his last 10 games as of the 24th, he was only 3-24 with 9 strikeouts. Slumps are part of the game, so time will tell if he can get out of this funk.
It is unlikely Tromp ever makes it up to the Phillies. A strong turnaround can boost his trade value and lead to him being shipped out of Philadelphia.
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With the logjam of outfielders in the organization right now, Tromp’s struggles aren’t something Phillies fans need to worry about. If his struggles continue, Tromp will be staying put in Reading and won’t have any impact on the Phillies this year.