The Phillies appear to have quietly found their new farm director
After parting ways with Joe Jordan due to philosophical differences the Phillies have been on a search for a new voice in their farm system.
According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic (subscription required) the organization appears set on hiring the Texas Rangers major league field coordinator Josh Bonifay to the position.
The Phillies have not confirmed the hiring, though the beat writers have noted that teams typically do not announce hirings during the World Series.
After playing eight seasons in the Pirates minor league system (including time in Williamsport and Altoona) Bonifay spent seven years in the Houston Astros organization before joining the Rangers last season. He worked as a manager and hitting coach in rookie and A-ball in the Astros organization, working with some players who are now stars in the big leagues.
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Bonifay himself could be turning into a star in baseball now that he’s the face of Philadelphia’s farm system. Philadelphia certainly hopes that he can bring an analytic-driven mindset from his time in Houston that Jordan didn’t have.
It’s hard to discount what Houston has done in recent years after a lengthy rebuild, and Bonifay had a hand in the development of those players and saw how others in the organization went about their business.
Bonifay also comes from a strong baseball family, most notably with his father Cam having been the Pirates general manager for a decade.
If Bonifay can bring some of what the Astros did to get their current stars to where they are now, it could dramatically help the Phillie’s next wave of talent. I believe only a handful of players on the current roster will be around when the next dynasty develops. The next wave of prospects will be the ones to lead this team forward behind the leadership of established players like Aaron Nola and Rhys Hoskins.
Players like Adam Haseley, Mickey Moniak, Alec Bohm, Adonis Medina, and Sixto Sanchez look to be the core that will win, and hopefully, Bonifay can play a role in their development and future success with Philadelphia.