2017 Phuture Phillies Top Prospects Poll

StickyTop Prospect Lists

It’s time for Phuture Phillies first post season prospect poll.  This is your chance to rank the organization’s prospects and see whether your thoughts are similar or different from the Phuture Phillies community.  I encourage everyone to submit a list.  The more data I receive, the more reflective of a collective consensus will be the outcome. Continue reading 2017 Phuture Phillies Top Prospects Poll →

2017 Phuture Phillies Top First Baseman Poll

Top Prospect Lists

We”ll start the “Best of” series of polls with your selection as the best first baseman in the system.  I have allowed a maximum of three answers for each ballot.  This will allow us to establish what kind of depth we have in the organization.  This is especially handy for first base where I expect there to be a land slide in favor of the top guy.

(Don’t forget to submit your top prospect list by e-mailing it to prospectpoll@yahoo.com.)

Each player listed below is in the poll and played at least 10 games at the position.  I have included a link to the player’s profile in Baseball Reference.  And I have included a link to Gregg’s Report Card for Corner Infielders.

  1. Rhys Hoskins – what can I say, great season
  2. Brock Stassi – sentimental favorite, free agent
  3. Kyle Martin – big disappointment
  4. Harold Martinez – my first favorite player, changed the way I view prospects, always seemed more comfortable as a hitter when he played first base, free agent
  5. Damek Tomscha – looked good in Clearwater
  6. Zach Green – the injury really set him back, probably passed by younger guys
  7. Wilson Garcia – too small for the position, IMO
  8. Darick Hall – big spring, surprised it took so long for him to be moved up
  9. Austin Listi – didn’t see enough of him before he went to Williamsport
  10. Greg Pickett – promising, I liked him as an outfielder, leg injury probably prompted position change, big power bat
  11. Brian Mims – didn’t see enough of him before he went to Williamsport
  12. Quincy Nieporte – reminded me of Jake Fox before Fox became a GCL coach, would have rather seen him at a higher level
  13. Edwin Rodriguez – lost time at position to Pickett then Nieporte, probably doesn’t figure in Phillies’ plans

Report Card–Middle Infield

Other Stuff

Lehigh Valley

Scott Kingery, Phils 2nd round pick in 2015; .304/.359/.530 in 543AB between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 26HR 65RBI; 29SB;7%BB/19%K; .290 last 30 days; For Lehigh Valley: .294/.337/.439 in 265AB; 8HR 21RBI; 10SB; .269 vs LHP; .300 vs RHP; 125 games at 2B with 11 errors (.980); 4 games at 3B without an error; 2 games at SS without an error; Outstanding season and progress for Kingery who looks to be the Phillies second baseman to be for the next decade.  Grade: A; 2018: Lehigh Valley until June, then Phillies

Jesmuel Valentin, 23, Acquired from Dodgers in 2014; .229/.282/.292 in 96AB; 1HR 7RBI; 6%BB/16%K; .310 vs LHP; .167 vs RHP; 26 games at 2B with 2 errors (.969); 2 games at SS with 1 error; Valentin came real close to making the Phils out of SPring Training in April and then struggled when he didn’t, his season ultimately ending in injury mid May; Grade: C-; 2018: I expect him in Lehigh Valley with a debut with the Phils at some point next season

Pedro Florimon, 30, Signed as a free agent in 2017; .265/.347/.410 in 310AB with Lehigh Valley; 10HR 33RBI; 4SB; 10%BB/27%K; 33 games at 2B with 1 error (.989); 26 games at 3B with 2 errors (.966); 15 games at SS with 1 error (.980); 14 games in the OF with 1 error (.960); In 48AB with Phils, Florimon hit .348.  I hardly expected to become a big “Pedro Florimon fan” this season but that is what happened.  Florimon has the ability to play numerous positions and do it at a level where you will not be hurt defensively.  That skill set got him called up to Philly where he was being touted as a potential 2018 super utility player before his season ended with a gruesome injury.  He had a very good year being asked to do a little bit of everything.  Grade: B+; 2018: It all depends on his ability to bounce back from the ugly ankle injury.  Currently on the 40 man, if healthy, he will compete for Andres Blanco’s former role.

Angelo Mora, 24, Signed as a free agent in 2011; .291./334/.435 in 398AB between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 9HR 55RBI; 5SB; 6%BB/19%K; For LV: .280/.291/.330 in 100AB; 25 games at SS with 4 errors (.966); 24 games at 3B with 3 errors (.952); 47 games at 2B with 8 errors (.964); 4 games in the OF without an error; Mora did a real nice job this year with the bat and continued to be steady in the field at multiple positions.  Unfortuantely, I think I am more of a Mora fan than the Phils organization and I really doubt he ends up on the 40 man, leading to minor league free agency for Mora.  Grade: B

JP Crawford, 22, Phils 1st round pick in 2013; .243/.351/.405 in 474AB; 15HR 63RBI; 5/9SB; .250 vs LHP; .286 vs RHP; .278 last 30 days w/ LV; 14%BB/17%K rate; 113 games at SS with 17 errors (.960); 6 games at 3B without an error; 5 games at 2B without an error; Hitting .278 for the Phils in 36AB; Crawford’s way down then up season has been very well documented.  Looking at his season in its entirety, there was progress but not as much as I expected; The bright side saw his power substantially more than expectations, although not sure that will translate to MLB; His average was fairly significantly lower on the year than hoped but, more importantly his OBP was excellent and Crawford was among league leaders in runs because of his OBP.  Still a plus fielder but a small notch below my expectations this season.  Grade: C; 2018: I see him in Philly fulltime come June

Reading

Drew Stankiewicz, 24, Phils 11th round pick in 2014; .280/.364/.421 in 328AB between Clearwater and Reading; 9HR 35RBI; 3SB; 11%BB/19%K; .297 last 30 days; 81 games at 2B with 9 errors (.975); 14 games at 3B with 2 errors (.900); 3 games at SS with 3 errors; A good season for Stankiewicz who does a lot of things right, leading to lineup opportunities for him.  Grade: B; 2018: Reading

Derek Campbell, 26, Phils 20th round pick in 2014; .250/.308/.359 in 159AB between Clearwater and Reading; 3HR 13RBI; 6%BB/22%K; Hit .162 for Reading in 37 late season AB; 8 games in the OF without an error; 21 games at 3B with 2 errors (.941); 15 games at 2B with 2 errors; Campbell spent large portions of the season injured and was mostly a spare piece when healthy; Grade: C-; 2018: Elsewhere Continue reading Report Card–Middle Infield →

Open Discussion: Week of September 17th

Weekly Discussion

This week the Phillies posted a 4-2 record.  They swept a three-game series from the Miami Marlins but dropped two of three against the Oakland Athletics.  They have a 58-91 record and a .369 PCT.  They are no longer the worst team in baseball. Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of September 17th →

Report Card–Corner Infield

Other Stuff

Lehigh Valley

Rhys Hoskins, 24, Phils 5th round pick in 2014; .284/.385/.581 in 401AB for Lehigh Valley; 29HR 91RBI; 4SB; 14%BB/16%K; For Phils: .298/.424/.754 in 114AB; 16HR 34RBI; 17%BB/19%K; .240 vs LHP; .315 vs RHP; Combined: 45HR 125RBI; 116 games at 1B with 10 errors (.989); 27 games in the OF with 1 erro.  I cant find enough superlatives to express the level at which Hoskins has impressed this year.  The numbers speak for themselves, but the transition to MLB, while learning to play a new position has been nothing short of exceptional.  Is currently making Babe Ruth look like a minor league home run hitter: Grade: A+; 2018: Philadelphia

Brock STassi, 28, Phils 33rd round pick in 2011; .251/.325/.351 in 179AB; 4HR 23RBI; 10%BB/21%K; .163 vs LHP; .277 vs RHP; .237 last 30 days; For Phils: .167/.278/.295 in 78AB; 2HR 7RBI; 13%BB/24%K; 54 games at 1B without an error; 13 games in the OF without an error; After an outstanding 2016; Stassi came back to Earth this year and leveled off to be the AAAA player he likely is long term.  Plus defense, good batting eye, but ultimately limited enough offensively that I don’t see him sticking with the Phillies; 2017: C; 2018: Stassi is a minor league free agent and will likely go where the best opportunity presents itself.

Hector Gomez, 29, Signed as a free agent in 2017; .236/.260/.425 in 212AB; 7HR 27RBI; 3%BB/20%K; .200 vs LHP; .248 vs RHP; 57 games at 3B with 8 errors (.937); The expectations for Gomez were significantly higher than the production, which was hampered by multiple injuries.  Grade: C-; 2018: Talent pushing upward in the organization, so likely elsewhere

Reading

Damek Tomscha, 26, Phils 17th round pick in 2014; .307/.386/.439 in 362AB between Clearwater and Reading; 11HR 52RBI; 3SB; 9%BB/14%K; .345 last 30 days; 43 games at 1B with 1 error (.997); 51 games at 3B with 12 erros (.907); 13 games in the OF without an error; After a second full season as a 25 year old at Lakewood last season, Tomscha finally moved along to Clearwater and had a lot of success.  He matched that level of success in Reading in his 50 games.  Grade: B+; 2018: Reading

Mitch Walding, 25, Phils 5th round pick in 2011; .236/.327/.516 in 351AB; 25HR 62RBI; 11%BB/32%K; .229 vs LHP; .240 vs RHP; .178 with RISP; 96 games at 3B with 15 errors (.943); Walding completed his 6th year in the organization and most of the trends he started his career with hold true, including striking out a ton and struggles against left handed pitching.   He has become more selective at the plate and hit for a significant amount of power but the .178 average with RISP is troublesome.  He missed about a month injured or he likely would have hit 30HR; Grade: C+; 2018: Walding is eligible to be a minor league free agent if the Phils don’t add him to the 40, which I believe to be unlikely. Continue reading Report Card–Corner Infield →

Report Card–Catchers

Other Stuff

Lehigh Valley

Jorge Alfaro, 24, Acquired from Texas in 2015; .241/.291/.358 in 324AB with Lehigh Valley; 7HR 43RBI; 5%BB/33%K; .279 vs LHH, .223 vs RHH, .247 with RISP; 77 games caught with 2 errors (.997); 9 passed balls; 15/46 CS (33%); After starting the season very hot, Alfaro struggled for large portions of the year with the bat and was merely adequate with the glove.  Because of the injury to Andrew Knapp in Philly, Alfaro got the call up and he has caught fire at the plate but his defensive inadequacies come out frequently.  Grade: C; 2018: Alfaro is without options.  He will be in Philly.

Logan Moore, 27, Phils 9th round pick in 2011; .233/.310/.362 in 210AB; 6HR 31RBI; 11%BB/31%K; .133 vs LHP, .261 vs RHP; .239 last 30 days; 58 games caught with 4 errors (.991); 5 passed balls; 19/45 CS (42%); Moore continues to be an excellent defensive catcher that pitchers trust and enjoy throwing to.  His offense is a notch above poor.  Grade: C; 2018: Moore will be a minor league free agent.  The Phils would be wise to bring him back for depth.

Nick Rickles, 27, Acquired from Nationals in 2017; .258/.292/.422 in 158 AB between AA and AAA; 4HR 17RBI; 5%BB/15%K; 33 games caught with 2 errors; 3 passed balls; 11/26 CS(42% CS rate); Rickles was a depth pickup mid year for the organization and did a nice job filling in for both Reading and Lehigh Valley when needed; Grade: B; 2018: Likely elsewhere

Reading

Deivi Gruillon, 21, Signed as a free agent in 2013; .249/.283/.398 in 354AB between Clearwater and Reading; 12HR 37RBI; 5%BB/22%K; .229/.270/.410 in 83AB with Reading; 12 games caught with 12 errors (.985); 10 passed balls; 40/109CS (37%); Overall a decent season for Gruillon who progressed through Clearwater to Reading, showing a level of competency with the bat and hitting for some power.  For a guy who has always had his defense mentioned as his most positive attribute, he struggled a bit with his glove, but his arm was excellent.  Grade: B-; 2018: Reading. Continue reading Report Card–Catchers →

“Looks Like We Made It, …”

Other Stuff

With apologies to Barry Manilow, we have survived Hurricane Irma.  I live in a Clearwater non-evacuation zone, so we decided to shelter in place with family and friends when the storm was projected to turn north above Cuba and travel up the east coast of Florida.   Continue reading “Looks Like We Made It, …” →