Players:
Jimmy Rollins – 35 – MLB
Freddy Galvis – 24 -MLB
Andres Blanco – 29 – AAA
Troy Hanzawa – 28 – AAA
Edgar Duran – 23 – AA
Roman Quinn – 20 – A+ (7)
Casey Serna -24 – A+
J.P. Crawford – 19 – A- (3)
Robinson Torres – 22 – A-
Malquin Canelo – 19 – SS (28)
Damaso Gonzalez – 17 – Rk
Grenny Cumana – 18 – Rk
Hugo Arrocha – 18 – Rk
Positional Overview: Much like Chase Utley at second base, Jimmy Rollins‘ run as one of the top shortstops in the game is over and he has moved into the twilight of his career. A year ago shortstop was a black hole with only Freddy Galvis and Roman Quinn having any future of note. Now the position looks like a strength with the addition of J.P. Crawford in the Rule 4 draft. In addition to Crawford, Malquin Canelo snuck onto the scene as potential plus defender at the position. There is still a way to go between Crawford and Rollins, but for the first time in a while the Phillies have a true shortstop of the future.
Future of the Position: The discussion begins and ends with J.P. Crawford. Crawford profiles to stick at the position defensively with plenty of range and instincts. At the plate it remains to be seen how much power he will have, but he should make plenty of contact. He has a good feel for the game and could develop into a perennial all-star, should be the Phillies top prospect by end of the year (if he isn’t already).
Quinn’s Position: It has become increasingly clear that Roman Quinn is not going to stick at shortstop long term, so the question is where does he go next. I think the logical next move is to second base where you give him a bit more time to slow his actions down and make clean plays. The fall back is center field, Quinn’s natural position, if center field is the option it shouldn’t take Quinn more than a year to regain his feel defensively. Overall the trade value of Quinn decreases a bit when he moves off shortstop, but overall any loss in positional value could be made up with premium defense at a different position.
How Good is Malquin Canelo?: Defense often flies under the radar, and this what happened with Malquin Canelo in 2013. It wasn’t until after the season that reports on his defense started really coming out of Williamsport. It is way too early to say he is the next Freddy Galvis, but what we do know is that the glove has the potential to be very good. However, he may never hit enough to ever really see the field in a starting capacity. If the glove plays up to its potential, Canelo could carve out a bench career at the major league level.
Who?: Buried on the list that might see time in the GCL are the 18 year old starting SSs for the Phillies VSL and DSL teams. Grenny Cumana and Hugo Arrocha hit .293/.381/.404 and .263/.335/.335 respectively in 2014. It remains to be seen where they play this year (and Arrocha had a scary injury earlier this week), but it is always worth keep an eye on any shortstop who could play stateside in 2014.
Phuture Phillies 
Edgar Duran?
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I knew I was missing someone, he has been added to the list.
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This is prob. the most cut and dry position in the system at this time. Anyone who’s here after JRoll is just keeping the spot warm for Crawford. The only thing that’s certain about Quinn is that he prob. will be moved off SS once he comes back from injury.
Here’s another interesting scenario. I know some will say I’m jumping the gun but what if Phils take T. Turner in 1st round? There’s a very good chance Turner and Crawford will be on same level come next year. Just a thought.
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You move Turner to second base. Crawford is the superior defender of the two. You give Turner enough SS reps to keep it a possibility in trade scenarios.
It would take a complete monster spring by Turner to go #7 right now (combination of his results and some of the monster pitching pop ups), so I doubt you have two SSs at the same level. But I wouldn’t rule out Jacob Gatewood or Nick Gordon being drafted as SSs, even with Crawford’s presence in the system.
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on this subject… when will you start conversations that are draft related? June? Would you ever consider profiling some of the guys who will most likely go in the top 10? Giving some guesses of what the Phillies could/should do?
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I have been building up stuff behind the scenes, essentially once the regular season has begun you can expect to see more coming out about the draft.
For now there is a 2014 draft at the top that has some links to others works. Specifically Mock Drafts/Draft Rankings https://phuturephillies.com/the-draft/2014-draft/mock-drafts/ and Scouting Reports https://phuturephillies.com/the-draft/2014-draft/scouting-reports/. I will continue to add to those as well. We are still really early in the process as well.
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Just to clarify you like Gatewood and Gordon more than Turner? I don’t know a ton about Gordon but I’m intrigued by Gatewoods power potential as SS. Although he’d likely eventually move to 3B with Crawford around
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I am not ready to say either way. If you think Gatewood will make contact you take him early. Gordon has had a ton of helium lately and the Phillies have gone and checked him out. I am also a bit down on Turner, I see the talent, I don’t see #7 overall talent.
All that being said, if I am the Phillies I am going pitcher. Right now Rodon, Hoffman, Aiken, Kolek, Beede, and Holmes are all looking like premium arms (I know that Hoffman and Rodon have been far from perfect so far). Those guys combined with C/OF Alex Jackson means that it is likely that a high end arm falls to #7. If I am the Phillies I take that guy and I don’t think twice about it.
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No question, this is their chance to get a possible #1 starter and you have to go for that.
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“Overall the trade value of Quinn decreases a bit when he moves off shortstop, but overall any loss in positional value could be made up with premium defense at a different position.”
Damn, damn good point.
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