The Philadelphia Phillies did not receive a top ranking in Baseball America's farm system grades released toward the end of the minor league regular season. Nevertheless, there is some talent on the upswing throughout the organization's minor league franchises.
Baseball America gave Philadelphia a B- (subscription required). The club traded two of their top-ranked young players, Eduardo Tait and Mick Abel, to the Minnesota Twins for Jhoan Duran at the trade deadline. The losses of two of their top-10 prospects impacted the Phillies' system ranking according to Baseball America. However, the franchise still has plenty of talent in the minors.
Phillies' Baseball America grade does not tell whole story of their farm system
Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller and Justin Crawford headline the Phillies' prospect system. Crawford excelled throughout the year in Triple-A with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Baseball America named him the Phillies' Minor League Player of the Year, per Lochlahn March.
Crawford finished with a slash line of .334/.411/.452 and a .863 OPS in 112 games. His groundball rate remains a concern once he transitions to the majors. The 21-year-old has worked to improve that part of his game after finishing with a 69.7 percent ground ball rate in 2023.
He had a 60.9 percent ground ball rate last year and a 59.4 percent ground ball rate this season. The son of former MLB player Carl Crawford looks ready to make his major league debut at the start of 2026 if he makes the Phillies' Opening Day roster.
It’s a leadoff big fly for Justin Crawford!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 8, 2025
The @Phillies’ No. 3 prospect rips his 26th extra-base hit, improving his slash line to .329/.414/.433 for the Triple-A @IronPigs: pic.twitter.com/Kml6scXKIZ
Painter had an inconsistent season in his first year of pitching since 2022. He needed Tommy John surgery for a UCL injury suffered before the start of the 2023 season. The right-hander missed the next two years recovering but returned in the 2024 Arizona Fall League.
He faced tougher competition in 2025, making 22 starts with the IronPigs, his first season in Triple-A. Painter went 5-8 with a 5.26 ERA in 26 minor league starts overall this year. The Pompano Beach, Florida, native's up-and-down season is a good reason why he should not be rushed and start 2026 with Lehigh Valley.
Moisés Chace, who was with the Reading Fightin Phils in Double-A, suffered an elbow injury early in the 2025 season and underwent Tommy John surgery in June. The 22-year-old right-hander will likely be out for most, if not all, of next year recovering from his injury.
He showed potential during his time in High-A with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws and during 10 starts in Reading between 2024 and this season. Once Chace returns, Phillies fans should keep an eye on his continued development.
Aroon Escobar broke out this year at Single-A with the Clearwater Threshers. He finished with an .829 OPS and a .285/.377/.452 slash line in 69 contests. The infielder's numbers were solid with the BlueClaws. He compiled a .256/.348/.369 line and a .717 OPS in 46 contests.
The Caracas, Venezuela, native increased his stolen base total from 10 in Clearwater to 14 with Jersey Shore. Escobar received another promotion at the end of the season, where he played in five games with Reading. The 20-year-old received recognition as he was named a Florida State League All-Star in September.
MLB's No. 84 prospect Aroon Escobar wallops his first High-A homer!@Phillies | @PhilsPlayerDev | @BlueClaws pic.twitter.com/BN2Gbh8ZX6
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 10, 2025
Miller dealt with his share of struggles during three of the first four months with the Fightin Phils. He entered August with a .697 OPS and a .222/.343/.354 line. However, the shortstop turned his year around.
The infielder had a 1.083 OPS and a .348/.454/.629 slash line in 22 August games, with multiple hits in 10 contests. He continued his exceptional play at the beginning of September with Reading, and he ended the year with Lehigh Valley.
Look for him to spend the majority of next season with the IronPigs. There is a small chance he gets promoted to the majors during 2026, but he will need to play similarly to how he ended this year. He has played at shortstop during his career, so it remains to be seen where he fits with this current Phillies infield when it is healthy.
Touch 'em all, Aidan Miller!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 16, 2025
The @Phillies' No. 2 prospect laces his first Triple-A homer for the @IronPigs, his 14th long ball this season: pic.twitter.com/lYqyvDdbXR
Otto Kemp spent time in Lehigh Valley and graduated from prospect status with the Phillies this year. According to Baseball America, the key additions to the Phillies' minor league system this season include 2025 MLB Draft picks Gage Wood and Cody Bowker, both right-handed college pitchers.
Outfielder Felix Reyes is another young player for the fan base to pay attention to. He broke out in 95 games with Reading, compiling a .937 OPS. He ended his year with Lehigh Valley. The 24-year-old may debut in the team's Top 30 prospects rankings once they are released before the 2026 regular season.
The Phillies have some talent in their minor leagues and their farm system will get better if their top prospects start next year off strong. It will be a good sign if the franchise's best young players can continue to grow and make the leap to the majors.