Baseball America came out with their top 20 prospects in the New York Penn League and three Phils prospects made the list. At #4 is Catcher Sebastian Valle, #11 is 3B Anthony Hewitt and at #16 is OF Leandro Castro. Baseball America does have scouting reports attached to each player, however, that is reserved for their pay site.
Feel free to discuss.
Still no immediate need in Philadelphia with Jimmy Rollins signed for 2010 and the Phils holding a 2011 team option for $8.5 million that I would expect them to pick up. Continue reading Around the System (SS)
This post will recap the 2009 Phillies DSL season and provide an initial top prospect list. The same caveats apply as with the VSL list. This report is based on statistics and not on scouting reports primarily. In addition we can infer some things from a player’s age and whether or not they get playing time. But it is not the same thing as seeing them play and the competition they play against may not be consistently good.
The Phillies are part of a 4-team Santo Domingo North division. In 2009 they finished 3rd, 14.5 games behind the division-leading Mariners. They did not play any games outside of the division, so their record may not fully reflect how good the team is. It is also worth noting that the two teams finishing ahead of them (the Mariners and the Cardinals) were both among the older teams in the league. The Phillies were slightly younger than the average team in the league on the other hand. This means that their disappointing record is not necessarily a bad thing, as older teams in the lower minors generally win more.
I’m going to write more about Drabek when I do my Top 30, but thats not for a while, and I was thinking about what should happen with Drabek next year, so I wanted to throw this out there. Everyone knows at this point that an elite starter is worth more than an elite reliever when you’re talking about value. And I think its pretty much a given that Drabek’s long term future is as a starting pitcher. But for 2010, I think it makes a world of sense to use Drabek in the ML pen from Day 1. Check below for my reasoning…
With Chase Utley signed through the 2013 season, this again is not an area of great concern for the Phils, however, they surely need to upgrade their bench up the middle of the infield. Eric Bruntlett simply will not cut it, especially as both Utley and Rollins need some time off as their careers march on. See below the fold for the review of second baseman in the system. Continue reading Around the System (2B)
Its that time, Baseball America lists its top 20 prospects from each US domestic league. The Phillies placed 4 guys in the GCL top 20; Jarred Cosart (4), Jon Singleton (7), Domingo Santana (10) and Jonathon Villar (18). Its notable that Cosart was ranked the top pitching prospect in the league, a very promising sign. Please do not post the full scouting reports/blurbs here. Thanks.
With Ryan Howard signed through the 2011 season, there isn’t an immediate need at first base but the lack of possibility should be reason for concern as next years draft roles around. See below the fold for the details: Continue reading Around the System (First Base)
Instructional league starts today (9/21). Preliminary roster and schedule after the jump. New names from the Latin American leagues include Lino Martinez and Lisalberto Bonilla as well as the first extended look at recent signees such as Brody Colvin and Colin Kleven. Continue reading 2009 Instructional League Roster and Schedule
A look at what the Phils have behind the plate in the organization. As we know the prospects are at the lower levels. See below the fold. Look next for an update on first baseman, coming Tuesday or Wednesday. Continue reading Around the System (Catcher)
Congratulations to the Lakewood BlueClaws, who last night won the South Atlantic League championship with their 5-1 win over Greenville, winning their series 3-1. Korey Noles got the win for Lakewood, throwing 7 strong innings, giving up just a lone run, while Austin Hyatt threw 2 shutout innings in relief, striking out 3. As was the course this year, Anthony Gose got things going offensively for Lakewood with 3 stolen bases on the night, which led to two runs. A fantastic job by the whole Lakewood organization, GM Geoff Brown and Manager Dusty Wathan.
