We”ll continue the “Best of” series of polls with your selection as the best third baseman in the system.  This should be a more interesting vote.  There is no Hoskins, Kingery, or Crawford to monopolize votes.  Not having a clear cut, top prospect is a little worrisome with Maikel Franco’s struggles this season.  I hate to pin our hopes on a trade that is unlikely to happen or the the free agent class after the 2018 season.  Continue reading 2017 Phuture Phillies Top Third Baseman Poll →

The outcome for the Best Shortstop Poll was predictable.  J.P. Crawford garnered almost half the votes.  Crawford got off to a slow start this season but he rebounded from his long, early slump and posted a full season slash of .243/.351/.405/.756 with 15 HR and 63 RBI in 556 plate appearances.  He walked 79 times and struck out 97 times.  His recovery was so good that he earned a September to the Phillies where he has played very well.   The career shortstop has been playing almost exclusively at second and third the past month. Continue reading Results of 2017 Phuture Phillies Top Shortstop Poll →

The outcome for the Best Second Baseman Poll was predictable.  Scott Kingery was the runaway winner.  Kingery was the winner of the Paul Owens Award for the top hitter in their minor league system.  He also won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for Second Base from among all second basemen in the minor leagues.  Kingery split time between Reading and Lehigh Valley and posted a combined .304/.359/.530/.889 with 26 HR and 65 RBI in 603 plate appearances.  He struck out 109 times (18.1%) and walked 41 times (6.8%).  His numbers were considerably better at AA. Continue reading Results of 2017 Phuture Phillies Top Second Baseman Poll →

We”ll continue the “Best of” series of polls with your selection as the best shortstop in the system.  Again, 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 repeat of the first two votes insofar as the eventual winner should win by a large margin and the more interesting discussion will be about the runners up. Continue reading 2017 Phuture Phillies Top Shortstop Poll →

The outcome for the Best First Baseman Poll was predictable.  Rhys Hoskins was the runaway winner.  I know that there were some who didn’t think that he should be included in the poll.  But, if Hoskins can be awarded the International League’s Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player then I wasn’t going to arbitrarily exclude him.  This was an instance where voters could have overridden my decision, and didn’t. Continue reading Results of 2017 Phuture Phillies Top First Baseman Poll →

We”ll continue the “Best of” series of polls with your selection as the best second baseman in the system.  Again, 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 also handy for second base where I expect a land slide in favor of the top guy similar to the one we had for first base.

(Don’t forget to submit your top prospect list by e-mailing it to prospectpoll@yahoo.com.  To date I have received only 18 lists, one as short as seven and a couple as long as fifty.)

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 Middle Infielders.

1. Scott Kingery – real good seasons at AA and AAA, I became a believer during spring training
2. Pedro Florimon – didn’t see enough of him last season
3. Jesmuel Valentin – spent most of the season on the DL
4. Angelo Mora – second is his best position, IMO
5. Drew Stankiewicz – steady, versatile infielder
6. Grenny Cumana – passable middle infield defense who can hit a little
7. Jose Antequera – versatile infielder who didn’t hit well in 2017
8. Derek Campbell – the injury really set him back, probably passed by younger guys
9. Daniel Brito – a second base only guy whose hitting dropped off after the jump from the 2016 GCL
10. Raul Rivas – didn’t see enough of him before he went to Williamsport
11. Jake Scheiner – didn’t see enough of him before he went to Williamsport
12. Brian Mims – didn’t see enough of him before he went to Williamsport
13. Jesus Azuaje – didn’t see enough of him before he went to Williamsport
14. Brayan Gonzalez – solid defensive infielder, showed some bat toward the end of the season
15. Jesus Henriquez – versatile, multi-position player

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