Where are each of the Phillies' top prospects starting the season?

Baseball is one of the deepest sports in terms of talent, as most teams roster close to 90 players in their organization. In today's world, breaking into a team's Top 30 prospect list is an accomplishment in itself.

The Philadelphia Phillies Top 30 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline, are spread out among every level of the system, from Triple-A to Rookie ball. While some are tenured and find themselves on the cusp of major league action, others have just arrived on the professional scene and are embarking on their long journey to the top level of professional baseball.

With No. 1 Andrew Painter out for the season recovering from Tommy John surgery last July, other talents within the system will bring excitement to the people within the Phillies organization.

Most fans won't see much of the minor league action or buy into the excitement around the younger players in the organization, as minor league championships are much less respected than a World Series ring. That being said, there is a ton of talent within the system that could impact the major league squad, whether it's this year, next year, or a couple of seasons down the road.

Just because one is, or isn't a top prospect does not mean that their career is set. Some top prospects take years to make their way to the majors while some lower ranked prospects could find their way quickly to the majors as their impact could be felt right away.

There are numerous players within the Phillies system that have the tools to be impactful for the squad within the next few seasons.

Phillies Top 30 prospects starting the season in Triple-A

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate and usually host the most MLB-ready players in the organization. Just one step below the bigs, these players could be fringe MLB players, prospects making their way to The Show, or players with elite skills who can fill a specific role or hole in the team if needed.

Mick Abel, RHP, Phillies No. 2 prospect (MLB No. 46)

Mick Abel, 22, has been one of the Phillies' most hyped prospects since he was drafted in the first round of the 2020 MLDraft. His ability to mix his pitches combined with his MLB-level stuff has him on the cusp of breaking into the major league rotation.

The main hiccup in the Oregon native's game is command. While his strikeouts per nine in the minor leagues is 11.1, his walks per nine is almost half that at 4.9, significantly higher than the MLB average of 3.1 BB/9.

With his four-pitch mix of a plus fastball that reaches upwards of triple digits, an upper-70s curveball, and a slider that takes a left turn, it seems that he is close to getting his chance in the big leagues. Starting in Triple-A with the IronPigs gives Abel the opportunity to face increased competition and be ready at a moment's notice to make the trip to Philadelphia if needed.

Griff McGarry, RHP, Phillies No. 11 prospect

Another right-handed arm that has been in discussions with Painter and Abel as the next man up in the Phillies rotation, Griff McGarry has proven a lot since being drafted in the fifth round back in 2021.

The University of Virginia grad impressed in his first few seasons, jumping from the ninth-ranked prospect in 2022 to third in 2023. After a lackluster 2023 campaign in which he pitched to over a 6.00 ERA across three levels, including allowing 20 earned runs in just 4 1/3 innings for Lehigh Valley last season, McGarry is looking to get back on track, ranked as the Phillies No. 11 prospect in 2024.

Just like Abel, McGarry's struggles have come with a lack of command, pitching to a 6.1 BB/9 over his professional career. If he can command the baseball, he has the stuff to get outs.

McGarry boasts a repertoire of five pitches but throws only three a significant amount. His fastball sits around 95 mph, reaching upwards of 99. He uses his slider and curveball as finishing pitches, not often for called strikes but for swings and misses.

With a projected major league ETA of 2024, it is likely we will see at least one of Abel or McGarry in some capacity for the Phillies this year, whether it's in the rotation spot or as a long man out of the bullpen.

Other Notable Triple-A prospects: Simon Muzziotti

Phillies Top 30 prospects starting the season in Double-A

The Reading Fightin Phils have been the Phillies' Double-A affiliate since 1967, tied for the longest minor league affiliation in baseball. It's often where players begin to face tougher competition and start their full ramp-up toward the big leagues.

Prospects in Double-A are often candidates for breakout years, which could lead to a promotion to Lehigh Valley or even a late-season fill-in spot for the Phillies.

Gabriel Rincones Jr., OF, Phillies No. 10 prospect

Gabriel Rincones Jr,, 23, is a corner outfield project who shows off plus power from the left side. During his first full season in professional baseball, the 6-foot-3 lefty showcased the power that got him drafted in the third round, hitting 15 home runs across 120 games between Low- and High-A.

The Florida native has started off 2024 hot as well crushing two homers in the first three games of his season, hitting to an OPS of over 1.000.

Rincones' smooth power stroke has been catching people's eyes, leading to some hype around him this season, even with the fall from the No. 7 prospect down to No. 10.

While his frame and athleticism limit him to a corner outfield role, a bat that can hit for power will play at any level. Much like Darick Hall in 2022 and 2023, Rincones could find himself a spot on the major league team with a hot stretch at the plate and the need for a left-handed bat either off the bench or in relief of injury.

Carlos De La Cruz, OF/1B, Phillies No. 13 prospect

The 6-foot-8 monster is hoping for a big season in Double-A with the Fightin Phils. Carlos De La Cruz, 24, has been a freak of nature in his baseball career. He uses his gigantic frame to generate raw power while also comfortably fielding all three outfield positions up to the Double-A level.

In a full season with Reading last year, De La Cruz crushed 24 home runs, drove in 67 runs, and struck out 160 times. With his large frame and violent swing, the swing-and-miss part of the game will always be there. De La Cruz's biggest development has been his growth against better competition.

After posting an .807 OPS with the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws in 2022, his OPS dropped only .010 when promoted to Reading. His slugging regressed slightly but he increased his walk rate and totaled 54 walks over the course of the season.

With a better command of the strike zone, De La Cruz could increase his value tenfold. A 6-foot-8 right-handed power hitter who understands the strike zone and can be selective at the plate is a valuable asset for any organization.

Other notable Double-A prospects: Christian McGowan, Caleb Ricketts, Robert Moore, José Rodríguez

Phillies Top 30 prospects starting the season in High-A

High-A, also known as Class-A advanced, is the higher of the two A-ball levels. The Jersey Shore BlueClaws is home to many top prospects looking to hit the ground running against their first real test at the professional level. These levels are also often used as rehab spots for players returning from injury.

Justin Crawford, OF, Phillies No. 4 prospect (MLB No. 72)

Justin Crawford, son of long-time MLB great Carl Crawford, has burst onto the scene since being drafted in 2022, honing some of the top-end tools in all of the minor leagues.

Crawford, 20, is the No. 4 prospect in the Phillies system, and for good reason. With a 75-grade run tool to go along with above-average contact and fielding, the Las Vegas native has the build of being an everyday starting center fielder in the future.

After getting accustomed to professional baseball in 2022, his raked in his first full season in 2023.

The tall lefty started in Low-A where he hit .288 with a .791 OPS over 18 games while swiping seven bags. After being called up to his current squad, the BlueClaws, Crawford hit .344 with an .877 OPS and stole 40 bases in just 69 games. He sat just one point shy of a .400 on-base percentage for the season, coming in at .399.

While Crawford seems to be putting things together, his projected ETA in the majors is 2026, meaning that he is further away than some of the other prospects on the list. That being said, his future is much brighter than most.

The combination of speed, contact, and fielding is valuable for any team. In 2023 we saw something very similar with Johan Rojas. Rojas was a lower-level prospect who shot through the system because of his elite glove in center field and his ability to find grass at the plate.

Crawford has one of the brightest futures of anybody in the Phillies organization, it may just be a couple seasons before he gets to show his true talent in red pinstripes.

William Bergolla, SS/2B, Phillies No. 12 prospect

William Bergolla, 19, was the Phillies top international signee in 2022 and has shown flashes of being a professional player for a long time.

Son of former MLB player William Bergolla Sr., the younger Bergolla has a skill that is fading in today's game: the ability to not strike out. In 323 plate appearances across his minor league career, the Venezuelan has only struck out 21 times, a 6.5 percent strikeout rate. He also walked exactly double the amount, reaching base 42 times on free passes.

While he is ranked as the Phillies No. 12 prospect, other sources value him much higher, such as Baseball America, which put him in their Top 10, ranked No. 8.

Being 19 years old means that Bergolla is a ways away from the majors, but he has the promise to stick. Another son of a former major leaguer who has great hitting and fielding tools, Bergolla can become a product of the Phillies system and grow not only as a baseball player but as a man.

Other notable High-A prospects: Samuel Aldegheri, Hendry Mendez, Emaarion Boyd, Wen Hui Pan, Bryan Rincon