Six Phillies prospects land on Jim Bowden’s Top 200 list
By John Town
Six Phillies prospects landed on Jim Bowden of The Athletic’s Top 200 prospect list as he took a deeper dive into the league’s best young talent.
Former MLB general manager and current writer for The Athletic Jim Bowden published his Top 200 prospect list over the course of four articles Thursday and Friday (subscription required; part 1, 2, 3, 4). When things were all said and done, six Phillies prospects made the cut:
"51. 3B Alec Bohm53. SS Luis Garcia61. OF Adam Haseley101. RHP Adonis Medina143. RHP Spencer Howard164. LHP JoJo Romero"
Bohm has emerged as one of the favorites to be the new top prospect in the system after the departure of Sixto Sanchez. Bowden notes Bohm’s ability to hit for power and contact as well as his willingness to draw walks. Bowden writes that Bohm should be a quick riser through the system, although his defense is not up to par at third base.
Along with Bohm, Garcia is a new entry to top prospect lists after his professional debut in the Gulf Coast League this year. Bowden states that several teams believed Garcia was the best prospect in the GCL this season. He won the batting title and finished with a .433 on-base percentage. Bowden also offered high praise for Garcia’s defensive ability.
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Bowden is particularly high on Haseley, who has not been on any of the major top 100 lists so far. Bowden credits Haseley for hitting well so far during his minor-league career. He believes Haseley’s power will start showing up in games this year. Bowden also points out Haseley’s above-average defense and speed.
Medina just missed out on Bowden’s top 100 after appearing on other top 100 lists. Bowden states that Medina has high upside but still needs to find some command and consistency with his pitches: a mid-90s fastball, strong slider, and developing changeup.
Howard, the club’s 2017 second-round pick behind Haseley, was projected as a mid-rotation starter by Bowden. He pointed towards a velocity jump late in the year to go along with a good slider and changeup. An average curveball rounds up a four-pitch mix that leads to Bowden’s projection.
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Romero had a breakout season in 2017 but got off to a rough start in Double-A Reading in 2018. He turned things around enough to keep respectable numbers before ending the season injured. Bowden gave average or better grades to Romero’s fastball, changeup, curveball, and cutter. Romero profiles as a No. 3, No. 4, or set-up reliever according to Bowden.