Reading Eagle End of Season Prospect Poll, 2018

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Sunday, Mike Drago of the Reading Eagle published his yearly prospect survey.  Mike requested input from about two dozen industry people who watch or cover a fair amount of games and players among the Phillies’ affiliates.  He received 16 responses and used a weighted scoring system to determine a player’s perceived value (first-place votes earning 30 points, second place 29 points, etc.).   I was one of the 16 respondents.

We were asked  to –

  • Rank the top players in the Phillies’ organization from No. 1 to No. 30, based on their present value to the organization and their major league ceiling/potential.
  • Consider a player’s age and performance relative to each level he has played.
  • Not include players who are no longer with the organization, nor players who appear to be in the majors for the long haul or have had significant big league time (such as: Roman Quinn and Andrew Knapp).
  • Consider players who appear to be in the big leagues for a brief time and who are likely will begin next season in the minor leagues (such as: Drew Anderson, Dylan Cozens, Enyel De Los Santos, Ranger Suarez, and Mitch Walding).

So, without further adieu, here is the 2018 Reading Eagle End of Season Prospect Poll (with position, current club, and total points) –

  1. Sixto Sanchez (P, Clearwater, 475): The right-hander entered the season as one of the top 10 pitching prospects in baseball and remains that, despite a season limited to eight starts due to inflammation in his right elbow. The 20-year-old hasn’t pitched since June 3. He allowed two runs over his final four starts. Overall, he was 4-3 with a 2.51 at Clearwater. Should arrive in Reading in 2019.
  2. Adam Haseley (OF, Reading, 452): Last year’s No. 1 pick out of Virginia has moved quickly. Batted .300 in 79 games at Clearwater this season and hit even better after arriving in Reading in early July: .316 in his first 39 games, with a .403 on-base percentage and .478 slugging. Polished, smart hitter, though power potential remains in question.
  3. Adonis Medina (P, Clearwater, 434): Has had a solid, though not spectacular, season at Clearwater, going 10-4 with 4.12 ERA. Still, he’s just 21 and is striking out nearly 10 batters per nine innings with solid control. Likely to open 2019 in Double-A.
  4. Alec Bohm (3B, Williamsport, 394): Plucked out of Wichita State with the third overall pick in the June draft and signed for $6.9 million, the 22-year-old gives the Phillies a potential power-hitting third baseman. Missed about five weeks with Williamsport after being hit in the knee with a pitch. Hasn’t hit much yet. Expect him to move quickly.
  5. JoJo Romero (P, Reading, 388): The 21-year-old lefty didn’t get his first win in Reading until his eighth start but showed poise and pitchability over a two-month stretch after that before being sidelined with a strained oblique. Hasn’t pitched since July 14.
  6. Enyel De Los Santos (P, Lehigh Valley, 386): Might be the surprise player in the entire farm system after being acquired from Padres in Freddy Galvis deal. He was brilliant in his first 16 starts, going 9-3 with a 1.89 ERA. Hasn’t been quite as good since returning from two big league starts.
  7. Mickey Moniak (OF, Clearwater, 365): For a guy picked No. 1 overall in 2016 he’s been underwhelming, to say the least. At age 20, young for the Florida State League, he has batted .262 with five HRs and six steals in 112 games. Next year, in Reading, will be a big one for him.
  8. Jhailyn Ortiz (OF, Lakewood, 364): Strikeouts are up and power is down, but he’s just 19 playing his first year of full-season ball in the South Atlantic League. The upside remains high for a guy the Phillies signed for $4 million.
  9. Ranger Suarez (P, Lehigh Valley, 349): Has pitched effectively at Double-A and Triple-A this season and held his own in a couple big league starts. Not overpowering but throws strikes and is mature beyond his 22 years. Guys like this tend to sneak up and have solid careers.
  10. Cole Irvin (P, Lehigh Valley, 308): Suddenly the Phillies are awash with lefty starters in the minors, Irvin joining Romero and Suarez. Former fifth-round pick, 24, was named International League Pitcher of the Year after going 13-4 with 2.67 ERA at Lehigh Valley. A strike-thrower with some smarts.
  11. Luis Garcia, SS, Gulf Coast West, 283
  12. Spencer Howard, P, Lakewood, 254
  13. Francisco Morales, P, Williamsport, 208
  14. David Parkinson, P, Clearwater, 206
  15. Arquimedes Gamboa, SS, Clearwater, 162
  16. Cornelius Randolph, OF, Reading, 150
  17. Dylan Cozens, OF, Lehigh Valley, 144
  18. Daniel Brito, 2B, Clearwater, 143
  19. Connor Seabold, P, Reading, 136
  20. Kyle Young, P, Lakewood, 120
  21. Deivi Grullon, C, Reading, 116
  22. Drew Anderson, P, Lehigh Valley, 108
  23. Kyle Dohy, P, Reading, 100
  24. Mauricio Llovera, P, Clearwater, 99
  25. Jose Pujols, OF, Reading, 92
  26. Austin Listi, OF, Reading, 76
  27. Will Stewart, P, Lakewood, 74
  28. Matt Vierling, OF, Lakewood, 61
  29. Jake Scheiner, 3B, Lakewood, 56
  30. Rafael Marchan, C, Williamsport, 51

Other top vote-getters

Kevin Gowdy, P, DNP, 49; Addison Russ, P, Clearwater, 49; Darrick Hall, 1B, Reading, 48; Rodolfo Duran, C, Lakewood, 47; Simon Muzziotti, OF, Lakewood, 45; Bailey Falter, P, Clearwater, 40; Jhordany Mezquita, P, Williamsport, 38; Ramon Rosso, P, Clearwater, 38; Edgar Garcia, P, Reading, 36; Dominic Pipkin, P, Gulf Coast East, 33; Ben Pelletier, OF, Williamsport, 31; Colton Eastman, P, Williamsport, 30; Jake Holmes, P, Williamsport, 30

For your enjoyment, here is my response to Mike.  I provided far less explanation than in previous years.

Mike, Sorry I meant to send this last night.  Please let me know if you receive it
  1. Sixto Sanchez
  2. Adam Haseley
  3. Adonis Medina
  4. Ranger Suarez
  5. Spencer Howard
  6. Cole Irvin
  7. Mickey Moniak
  8. Alec Bohm
  9. JoJo Romero
  10. Enyel De Los Santos
  11. Jhailyn Ortiz
  12. David Parkinson
  13. Luis Garcia
  14. Connor Seabold
  15. Bailey Falter
  16. Dominic Pipkin
  17. Colton Eastman
  18. Deivi Grullon
  19. Mauricio Llovera
  20. Cornelius Randolph
  21. Logan O’Hoppe
  22. Ben Brown
  23. Carlos De La Cruz
  24. Rafael Marchan
  25. Jake Holmes
  26. Keylan Killgore
  27. Zach Warren
  28. Ben Pelletier
  29. Abrahan Gutierrez
  30. Kyle Glogoski
I’m aware that I left quite a few of the MLB Top 30 off my list.  So be it.

Here are the results from the 2017 poll.

  1. Scott Kingery, 2B, Lehigh Valley, 519
  2. Rhys Hoskins, 1B, Philadelphia, 479
  3. Sixto Sanchez, P, Clearwater, 470
  4. J.P. Crawford, SS, Lehigh Valley, 441
  5. Cornelius Randolph, OF, Clearwater, 385
  6. Adam Haseley, OF, Williamsport, 384
  7. Mickey Moniak, OF, Lakewood, 379
  8. Franklyn Kilome, P, Reading, 371
  9. Jorge Alfaro, C, Lehigh Valley, 357
  10. Adonis Medina, P, Lakewood, 326
  11. Jhailyn Ortiz, OF, Williamsport, 301
  12. Thomas Eshelman, P, Lehigh Valley, 294
  13. JoJoRomero, P, Lakewood, 267
  14. Carlos Tocci, OF, Lehigh Valley, 244
  15. Ranger Suarez, P, Lakewood, 229
  16. Roman Quinn, OF, Lehigh Valley, 228
  17. Drew Anderson, P, Lehigh Valley, 218
  18. Dylan Cozens, OF, Lehigh Valley, 203
  19. Jessen Therrien, P, Philadelphia, 164
  20. Seranthony Dominquez, P, Gulf Coast, 146
  21. Daniel Brito, 2B, Lakewood, 144
  22. Ben Lively, P, Philadelphia, 137
  23. Elniery Garcia, P, Reading, 127
  24. Cole Irvin, P, Reading, 109
  25. Ricardo Pinto, P, Philadelphia, 108
  26. Kevin Gowdy, P, (injured), 88
  27. Spencer Howard, P, Williamsport, 69
  28. Andrew Pullin, OF, Lehigh Valley, 61
  29. Jonathan Guzman, SS, Gulf Coast, 56
  30. Yacksel Rios, P, Philadelphia, 53
Others receiving multiple votes (in order of vote total): Victor Arano, P, Reading;

Arquimedes Gamboa, SS, Lakewood; Kyle Young, P, Williamsport; Cole Stobb, 3B, Williamsport; Nick Fanti, P, Lakewood; McKenzie Mills, P, Clearwater; Darick Hall, 1B, Lakewood; Jose Taveras, P, Lehigh Valley; Edgar Garcia, P, Clearwater; Alberto Tirado, P, Reading; Connor Seabold, P, Williamsport; Alejandro Requena, P, Lakewood; Jose Gomez, SS, Clearwater; Brandon Leibrandt, P, Lehigh Valley; Mitch Walding, 3B, Reading; Brayan Gonzalez, 2B, Gulf Coast; Jiandido Tromp, OF, Reading; Austin Davis, P, Reading; Raul Rivas, 2B, Williamsport, 3

Here are the results from the 2016 poll.

J.P. Crawford received 9 of 15 first place ballots, and was second on two others. He also received a third, a fourth a fifth and an eighth-place vote.  Crawford is the first to rank No. 1 in three straight seasons since we’ve been doing the rankings.  Mickey Moniak and Jake Thompson each received two first places, Nick Williams and Rhys Hoskins, one apiece.   Forty-six different players received votes.

  1. J.P. Crawford, SS, Lehigh Valley
  2. Jorge Alfaro, C, Reading
  3. Nick Williams, OF, Lehigh Valley
  4. Jake Thompson, P, Philadelphia
  5. Mickey Moniak, OF, Gulf Coast
  6. Dylan Cozens, OF, Reading
  7. Roman Quinn, OF, Reading
  8. Cornelius Randolph, OF, Lakewood
  9. Franklyn Kilome, P, Lakewood
  10. Rhys Hoskins, 1B, Reading
  11. Scott Kingery, 2B, Reading
  12. Andrew Knapp, C, Lehigh Valley
  13. Adonis Medina, P, Williamsport
  14. Nick Pivetta, P, Lehigh Valley
  15. Jhailyn Ortiz, OF, Gulf Coast
  16. Ricardo Pinto, P, Reading
  17. Elniery Garcia, P, Clearwater
  18. Ben Lively, P, Lehigh Valley
  19. Kevin Gowdy, P, Gulf Coast
  20. Carlos Tocci, OF, Clearwater

Others receiving multiple votes( in order of vote total): Mark Appel, P, Lehigh Valley; Sixto Sanchez, P, Gulf Coast; Jimmy Cordeo, P, Reading; Cole Stobbe, SS, Gulf Coast; Jose Pujols, OF, Lakewood; Alberto Tirado, P, Lakewood; Alec Asher, P, Lehigh Valley; Thomas Eshelman, P, Reading; Drew Anderson, P, Clearwater; Andrew Pullin, OF, Reading; Cole Irvin, P, Williamsport; Arquimedes Gamboa, Williamsport; JoJo Romero, P, Williamsport; Malquin Canelo, SS, Clearwater; Tyler Viza, P, Reading.

Here are the results from the 2015 poll.

J.P Crawford received 15 of 16 first place votes.  Jake Thompson received the other first place vote.  Nick Williams received 11 second place votes.  Thirty-four players received votes.  The results of the poll were as follows.

  1. J.P. Crawford                     SS     Reading                    317 points
  2. Jake Thompson                 P     Reading                    287
  3. Nick Williams                    OF    Reading                    278
  4. Cornelius Randolph      OF   Gulf Coast                253
  5. Jorge Alfaro                          C     Reading                    236
  6. Roman Quinn                    OF     Reading                    225
  7. Franklyn Kilome                 P      Williamsport         215
  8. Zach Eflin                                P      Reading                   197
  9. Ricardo Pinto                       P       Clearwater             154
  10. Carlos Tocci                          OF     Clearwater             145
  11. Aaron Altherr                       OF    Philadelphia         144
  12. Andrew Knapp                     C      Reading                   138
  13. Jarad Eickoff                         P      Philadelphia        113
  14. Scott Kingery                      2B      Lakewood             104
  15. Nick Pivetta                           P      Reading                      93
  16. Ben Lively                                P      Reading                      63
  17. Darnell Sweeney              OF     Philadelphia            59
  18. Rhys Hoskins                      1B     Clearwater                36
  19. Alberto Tirado                      P      Clearwater                34
  20. Malquin Canelo                 SS    Lakewood                  29

Others receiving multiple votes( in order of vote total):  Matt Imhof, P, Clearwater; Alec Asher, P, Lehigh Valley; Brandon Leibrandt, P,Clearwater; Dylan Cozens, OF, Clearwater; Jimmy Cordero, P, Reading; Kelly Dugan, OF, Lehigh Valley; Jose Pujols, OF Williamsport; Deivi Grullon, C, Lakewood; Willians Astudillo, C, Clearwater; Jesse Biddle, P, Lehigh Valley.

10 thoughts on “Reading Eagle End of Season Prospect Poll, 2018”

  1. OM. The list: Players with downward stats, on DL for the Year, players with no lengthy professional experience. What the stats and info I read daily I must be watching a different minor system. Base the list like a real list. Eye test and performance with projection as a footnote

  2. This kind of accumulative poll is very interesting and useful in evaluating prospects. Certainly there is a decent amount of weight given to draft position and money paid to prospects. So Bohm and Ortiz are a lot higher than statistics show. I started Bohm at #5 when he was drafted. How he played in the short season would dictate moving him up or down. I think he’s played his way to a #7 or #8. If he was a mid-round pick, we wouldn’t even have him in the conversation. Ortiz is a guy who is very very young but has shown me that he has a ton of improvement needed to be a top 10 guy. But seeing night after night an 0’fer with 2 or 3 Ks is very disheartening. But every once in a while he has a 2 for 4 and a HR and you scratch your head and say, what the H-E-double toothpick?

    I don’t think anyone on the Eagle’s list doesn’t belong on the top 30. There isn’t any hairbrained pick on the list. Jim’s list also doesn’t have anyone on it that shouldn’t be in the conversation. I think Jim sees a lot of these guys coming through CLW and watches them a lot. He therefore rates them higher than a guy living in PA, who is more likely to see or read about AAA, AA or A ballplayers. The organization is deep and there could be 40 or 45 guys who should be in the discussion for top 30. It’s a lot better than a few year’s back where our poll had a lot of wishin’ and hopin’ to it. There are a lot of guys who have a significant chance of making some noise in the show. It may be brief and it may just be a whisper but the noise can at least me heard.

  3. List. Eye test, skills, mental skills over projection.
    #15- mentally shows immaturity. 2015 spring training- called out for immaturity
    Additional years shows signals of right of passage along with diminishing hitting skills
    #4 position based upon draft position$$. Not enough abs to warrant
    #20 Kilome like impressions. Not enough data

  4. Prospect ranking is really like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I though Sixto is an easy consensus #1, but apparently not. David Parkinson who showed Ben Lively and Jose Taveras (both DFAd) like stats and ability jumps in the rankings over some high ceiling prospects. Garcia outside Top 10 and Brito still inside Top 20 despite of better INF prospects like Nic Torres, Jon Guzman, Brayan Gonzalez, etc – there’s no exact science to this methodology — that’s why it is always interesting to discuss.

      1. @romus – hahaha….even though i don’t fully agree in rankings of some prospects, i know that the final Reading Eagles prospect ranking has some credibility since they don’t have Jose Stinking Gomez in the Top 30. In fact, any Phillies prospect ranking with Jose Stinking Gomez in the Top 30 is questionable. I still can’t find anybody who can justify why Jose Stinking Gomez is Top 30, more so, Top 20 worthy.

          1. They should. I’m only joking when ripping Callis/Mayo, but the Jose Gomez thing is an oversight error on their part.

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