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
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.
Mandatory Credit: MLB photos via USA TODAY Sports /
Erik Miller, future Phillies LHP
Erik Miller has missed most of the minor league season due to injury, but has rehabbed at three levels of the Phillies farm system, and is rising quickly through franchise ranks.
He’s only pitched in five games overall this season, so the 12 2/3 innings is a small sample size, but an encouraging one. He has a 1.42 ERA and has struck out 16 and walked 11.
In 2019, the former fourth-round pick (2019) had a 1.50 ERA over 11 games (seven starts) between A-ball, short-season A, and rookie ball.
Over two minor league seasons and over 48 innings of work, Miller has only allowed eight earned runs. But the truly wild stat is that he has yet to allow a single home run.
Erik Miller 3.1IP 3H 0R 4K 072821, Broadcast mentions scoreboard gun "3-4 mph slow" pic.twitter.com/85M89gVzUw
— PHI Prospect BurnerAcct (@PBurneracct) July 30, 2021
The scouting reports have his slider as his best pitch, but also note that he is developing a changeup that “does a nice job of killing spin,” as well as a curve.
At the rate the Phillies are moving him up through their farm system, Miller is on track to begin the 2022 season in Double-A, move quickly to Triple-A, and make his debut sometime next summer.
Francisco Morales, future Phillies RHP
Another Double-A arm, Francisco Morales was a huge get for the Phillies during the 2016-2017 international signing period, and they have high hopes for him.
The scouting report on Morales boasts a fastball with “serious life” and “an absolutely filthy slider that generates a ton of swing-and-miss.” There’s also optimism about his changeup.
Morales’ numbers have been a bit up-and-down over his four years in the Phillies system. He currently has a 6.56 ERA over 18 games (17 starts), with 89 strikeouts over 70 innings.
It’s worth noting that command has been an issue for Morales as he’s moved up in the minors; he has a 6.3 BB/9 with 49 walks issued in his 18 games this season. The Phillies have quite a few pitchers with a BB problem, so this is something they’re definitely going to want to work on with Morales before he makes his debut.
