These 15 Phillies top prospects should be on your radar
10. Jhailyn Ortiz OF
Jhailyn Ortiz was another prospect the Phillies protected from the ultimately-postponed Rule 5 Draft, for obvious reasons:
In 2015, the Phillies signed him with a franchise-record $M bonus during the international signing period. He was in the same signing class as current MLB stars Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Over 95 games between High-A and Double-A in 2021, Ortiz hit .250/.346/.488 with a .834 OPS, 12 doubles, 23 home runs, 59 runs scored, and 54 driven in. Despite the obvious power, his plate discipline is a work in progress, though: he struck out 113 times and walked 38 times.
Speaking of power, the 23-year-old outfielder’s scouting report is littered with the word. It is something the Phillies desperately need, so hopefully, Ortiz progresses towards his debut in 2022.
MLB ETA: 2021
9. Erik Miller LHP
The Phillies drafted Erik Miller in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, and as he’s progressed through their system, he’s upped his fastball velocity and perfected his slider, which scouts call his best pitch.
Miller really impressed in the Arizona Fall League earlier this year, posting a 1.80 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over six relief appearances with 12 strikeouts over 10 innings of work. However, one of the biggest areas in which Miller needs to improve is limiting walks. His BB/9 shot up from 3.8 in 2019 to 7.8 in 2021.
MLB ETA: 2022