Whether or not the Philadelphia Phillies make the postseason this year for the first time since their last division title in 2011 remains to be seen.
But with the immediate future of the team not looking as bright as it did two weeks ago, it’s nice to think ahead to what – or who – 2022 might bring.
The Phillies have some exciting prospects getting close to being ready for the Big Show. So to distract from the present, let’s focus ahead to a bright future.
The criteria:
- No prospect who has already made their debut
- No prospect who is likely to make their debut this year
Hans Crouse, future Phillies RHP
Crouse is a new addition to the Phillies Pharm, but he’s already making his presence known.
The righty, currently in Double-A Reading, was part of the trade that brought Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy to Philadelphia. At the time, Crouse was the Rangers’ ninth-best prospect. MLB now ranks him as fourth for the Phillies.
According to the scouting reports, Crouse has “electric stuff,” with a fastball that sits between 92-97, but can hit 99 mph. He also has a slider, an intriguing changeup, and a fourth pitch could be in the works to add to the arsenal.
Phillies No. 4 prospect Hans Crouse struck out five over five scoreless innings in his organizational debut for the @BlueClaws. pic.twitter.com/j40s5Ypbgg
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 7, 2021
Crouse has only ever pitched as a starter in the minors, but many scouts actually see him as an elite reliever in the future. That’s certainly something the Phillies bullpen desperately needs.
It’s no secret that the Phillies struggle to develop pitching; they traded away former top prospect Spencer Howard in the same trade in which they received Crouse.