Phillies top ten 2019 prospects ranked by Baseball America

Baseball America ranked the Phillies top ten prospects for the 2019 season, featuring both new and returning players to the list.

While most of the baseball world is focused on the MLB Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, Baseball America continues to churn out their prospect rankings for all 30 farm systems. They released their list for the Phillies Monday, and it looked like this:

"RHP Sixto Sanchez3B Alec BohmSS Luis GarciaRHP Adonis MedinaOF Adam HaseleyLHP JoJo RomeroRHP Enyel De Los SantosRHP Spencer HowardLHP Ranger SuarezRHP Francisco Morales"

This list is significantly different than last year’s, with six players not returning from the previous top ten. J.P. Crawford, Scott Kingery, and Jorge Alfaro all spent 2018 with the major-league team. Crawford became part of the deal to acquire Jean Segura and two relievers from the Mariners along with Carlos Santana.

More from Phillies Prospects

• Prospect Andrew Baker could help Phillies bullpen in 2023
• Phillies manager suggests Andrew Painter could make Opening Day roster
• Phillies No. 1-ranked prospect Andrew Painter receives national accolade
• Phillies top prospect Andrew Painter continues to dominate
• Philadelphia Phillies prospects thriving is a positive sign for the future

Franklyn Kilome, who was No. 10 last year, was traded to the Mets for Asdrubal Cabrera before the deadline this year. Mickey Moniak and Jhailyn Ortiz both fell out of the top ten due to poor performance, although Moniak showed signs of life in the second half of the season.

Turning back to the current list, Sixto Sanchez takes over the top spot in the system.

His season was cut short due to elbow inflammation, but his upside remains large. BA compared Sanchez to the Yankees’ Luis Severino. Sanchez received 70/80 grades for his fastball and control along with 60/80 for his slider and changeup.

This year’s No. 3 overall pick, Bohm, makes his debut on the list behind Sanchez. Bohm may have to move to first base in the future, but he has more than enough offensive ability to profile there. His arm is strong enough that he could still wind up staying at third base.

Garcia (not to be confused with the reliever who was just traded) is another newcomer to the list after making his stateside debut in the Gulf Coast League. BA praised all aspects of Garcia’s game, noting his smooth defense, strong hit tool, and ability on the bases.

More from That Balls Outta Here

• 11 Free-agent deals the Philadelphia Phillies wish fell through
• Phillies-Mets owners’ rivalry grows after shocking Carlos Correa deal
• Could Rich Hill become ‘Jamie Moyer 2.0’ in Phillies rotation?
• Does Bailey Falter have a future in Phillies’ rotation?
• Prospect Andrew Baker could help Phillies bullpen in 2023

In the ensuing chat with subscribers, BA’s Ben Badler stated that three Phillies prospects (i.e. Sanchez, Bohm, and Garcia) could be Top 100 prospects. He also said Adonis Medina could make it into the top 100, but Adam Haseley still needs to show more before he can make the Top 100.

De Los Santos and Suarez both made their major-league debuts in 2018 in spot starts. Both pitchers could wind up as back-end rotation arms, but they both need to hone an out pitch to stick as a starter. BA noted De Los Santos’s potential as a two-pitch reliever if he doesn’t pan out as a starting pitcher.

Howard, made his full-season debut in Low-A Lakewood this season.

BA credited the 2017 second-round pick’s arsenal, saying he has some of the best pure stuff. However, he still has to hone his command. If he can, Howard has the upside to be a mid-rotation starter. If not, he could still profile as a high-end reliever.

Morales did not post great numbers with short-season Williamsport this year, but BA still pointed out how good his raw stuff looked. Morales struck out 10.86 batters per nine innings but also walked 5.27 per nine. Morales is in the same boat as Howard; if he can hone his command on the mound, he could dominate opposing hitters.