The Minor League season is over and there are a few prospects that stood out this year in the Phillies’ system.
For years the Phillies farm systems was among the worst in baseball, but thanks to trades and changes in the front office the minor league system is stocked with quality, young talent.
Let’s start with the first of two Paul Owens award recipients as the Phillies’ best minor league players.
David Parkinson, LHP, Lakewood/Clearwater
The 22-year-old left hander started the season in Lakewood and instantly made a name for himself. In 17 starts, he was 8-1 with a 1.51 ERA. He added four more starts and a relief appearance in Clearwater, pitching to a 3-0 record and a 1.24 ERA in 29.0 innings.
Parkinson’s season in Lakewood was highlighted by a seven inning complete game shutout on July 22 against Hagerstown. In that outing, Parkinson gave up four hits, walking none and striking out seven on an efficient 81 pitches.
His best outing for Clearwater came in his first start for the Threshers on Aug. 4. In the win, Parkinson again tossed seven innings of two hit shutout ball, walking two and striking out seven on 75 pitches.
His combined statistics for 2018 were impressive. This summer, Parkinson went 11-1 with a 1.45 ERA in 22 appearances (21 starts). The lefty pitched 124.1 innings with 141 strikeouts, a 1.01 WHIP. Opponents hit just .202 against him and he only surrendered 20 earned runs the entire season.
The 2017 12th round pick truly broke out this year. The Phillies will expect him to take another step and move up in the organization next season.