As Philadelphia Phillies fans anxiously await the 2025 season, the team's scouting department is busy this offseason hoping to stack the team with new weapons and talent. The industry has welcomed increased technology regarding player data and analytics, and many teams throughout the Major Leagues are still working out how to get the best scouting results from the sources available to them.
Baseball America assessed the scouting situation this offseason (subscription required), polling a handful of scouts to not only gain insight into the position and its recent advances, but to also get a glimpse at how various teams' scouting departments compare.
“To get a better idea of the pulse of the scouting industry this offseason, Baseball America polled an array of scouts in a 'State of Scouting' survey," writes Carlos Collazo of Baseball America. "Twenty seven scouts participated, including scouts from the pro, amateur, and international ranks."
Phillies’ scouting department receives high praise from pro scouts
The Phillies organization ranked very well overall in this survey, particularly standing out when compared to the results given to their division rivals.
First, 38 percent of participants voted in favor of the Phillies when asked which teams are the most scout-friendly. This may not seem like a significant number on its own, but only five other teams were ranked above the Phillies in this category. The New York Mets received the lowest ranking in the poll, getting zero votes in their favor.
Alternatively, when asked which teams are the least scout-friendly, none of the scouts participating in the survey voted for the Phillies. Every other team in the National League East received at least one vote in this category.
When asked to determine which organizations are the best at identifying talent, 29 percent of participants voted in favor of the Phillies. The Atlanta Braves received a handful of votes as well, with 13 percent of participants voting in their favor, though none of the Phillies' other division rivals received any votes.
When asked which organizations struggle to identify talent the most, 38 percent of the participating scouts voted for the Miami Marlins. The Phillies' other division rivals all received at least one vote in this category, while the Phillies themselves received none.
Two of the Phillies' scouts were recognized individually. Brian Barber was noted as one of the "Most Impressive Scouts Currently in the Industry," and Bryce Harman was voted as one of the four "Up-and-Coming Scouts to Know in the Game Right Now."
The poll also asked the scouts their opinions on current prospects, and four Phillies received mentions.
Phillies pitching prospect Andrew Painter, who recently recovered from Tommy John surgery and was noted as a top performer in the Arizona Fall League, was voted as an expected No. 1 Prospect.
Phillies prospects Jean Cabrera, Aiden Miller and Eduardo Tait were included among the 12 underrated pro prospects to keep an eye on.
Jean Cabrera, the former Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Year, recently climbed back up the rankings after some impressive performances during the 2024 season. Third baseman Aiden Miller was named the Phillies Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America after recording a .261 batting average with 11 home runs and 23 stolen bases. And lastly, Eduardo Tait looks to be a promising prospective catcher for the Phillies after his performance in the 2024 season, earning praise from Preston Mattingly.
As they wait for the 2025 season to begin, Phillies fans can only hope that the notice these young prospects have earned, as well as the recent praise the Phillies' scouting department received, is indicative of a promising offseason that will lead to success.