With the way the current Philadelphia Phillies roster is constructed, the bulk of their successful core has been primarily built up through key trades and moves in free agency. Whether it be the brilliant signings of Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler, Nick Castellanos and Trea Turner, or the smart acquisitions of J.T. Realmuto, Brandon Marsh and Jesús Luzardo, they have all played a part in helping the Phillies become legitimate contenders on a yearly basis.
However, as much as Philadelphia has depended on impactful external pieces to bolster the club, in order for sustainable success, they definitely need some homegrown talent from the younger generation as well to help support the star-studded cast. In recent years, the Phillies have seen the likes of Bryson Stott, Alec Bohm, Cristopher Sánchez and Ranger Suárez grow and develop in front of their eyes to become prominent pieces in their current contending puzzle.
Which 10 young Phillies players are the most valuable to the organization?
So which Phillies players could become part of the next influx of talent? Here, we will take a look at and rank the 10 most valuable young players in the Phillies organization. Each of these players could ultimately provide a significant impact on the franchise’s success going forward.
No. 10: Johan Rojas, OF
Perhaps one of the most athletic prospects in the system in recent years, it felt like it has already been so long since Johan Rojas made his debut with the Phillies just two years ago. Despite having some ups and downs so far in his MLB career, he hasn’t looked back ever since.
Without question, Rojas has made Philadelphia much more defensively sound in the outfield with his presence, posting a solid .988 fielding percentage while accumulating 18 total DRS already in now just entering his third season with the club. On top of that, he has been a major threat for the Phillies on the base paths with his elite speed, averaging over 30 stolen bases over a full 162-game schedule.
Wow! Johan Rojas makes the catch and Acuña strands the bases loaded 😮 pic.twitter.com/JSnvKiLP03
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 13, 2023
However, one main caveat in Rojas’ game that still remains is the lack of production with his bat. Rojas had impressed coming out of the gate for his debut in 2023 when he maintained a solid .302 batting average with 23 RBIs in 59 games that season. Since then, the 24-year-old outfielder has settled in as a .242 hitter with a .602 OPS, while averaging just one run scored and one RBI every three to four games.
With that significant limitation in offensive production, Rojas will likely top out as a valuable fourth outfielder for the Phillies for the foreseeable future. In addition to spelling outfield starters in their off days, his impact most likely will come in late-game situations, where his speed and defense could play huge roles in helping the team to victories. As a result, the value is there, but not being able to secure an everyday role prevents Rojas from being ranked any higher on this list.