The Winter League regular seasons are winding down.
And then their respective post seasons will start. Continue reading Winter Ball Round Up: Dec. 21 – Dec. 27
We all know that the Phillies traded Jimmy Rollins and cash to the Dodgers for RHP Zach Eflin and LHP Tom Windle. We ‘ve also read that they have signed minor leaguers RHP Sean O’Sullivan (re-signed), RHP Kevin Slowey and 1B Chris McGuiness.
Baseball America also reported that the Phillies have signed RHP Stephen Shackleford and 2B Tyler Henson (re-signed). Additionally BA reported that they have released RHP Ricky Bielski, RHP Josh Warner, LHP Angelo Almonte, LHP Rivar Angulo, 1B Chris Serritella, and SS Enmanuel Serra.
Maikel Franco is deemed to be the organization’s #3 prospect getting 84% of the vote.
I hope everybody had a Merry Christmas yesterday. The days leading up were saddened by a family event earlier in the week and doubled with more sad news on Christmas Day. The daily poll may be sporadic the next week as I attend to other matters. I plan on posting an Open Discussion for next week, and I hope to post poll #5 Sunday night, as well as a Winter Ball update if enough games were played to make it worthwhile and I can find the time.
Once again, I ask that you consider submitting your personal top 30 to prospectpoll@yahoo.com with the Subject line – Poll. I’m using them to determine who I add to the poll. I can’t use the write-in votes, some of them are pretty wild – Larry Greene, for instance. So nine players who showed up on a majority of ballots are being added today – Aaron Brown, Luis Encarnacion, Zach Green, Franklyn Kilome, Yoel Mecias, Nefi Ogando, Ricardo Pinto, Andrew Pullin, Joely Rodriguez. Suggestions can also be sent to the address above with the Subject line, Add. Continue reading Reader Top 30 #4
Aaron Nola was your choice as the organization’s #2 prospect in a very tight race. Fourteen players received votes with Nola and Maikel Franco garnering 92% of the vote. Oddly enough, players who received votes in the poll for #1 (Carlos Tocci, 2 votes; and Mitch Gueller and Aaron Brown who received 1 vote each through the write in feature) didn’t receive a vote as the #2 prospect. Lee Ridenhour received the 1 write in vote this round.
Up next #3. Continue reading Reader Top 30 #3
J.P. Crawford was your choice as the #1 prospect in the organization. That he was selected by such a large margin is no surprise.
Up next #2. Continue reading Reader Top 30 #2
Well, in the words of Andy Williams, ” It’s the most wonderful time of the year”. So far this month, the Phillies have turned Jimmy Rollins and Antonio Bastardo into three young pitchers – Zack Eflin, Tom Windle, and Joely Rodriguez. They have also added another pitcher and a young infielder through the Rule 5 Draft – Andy Oliver and Obudel Herrera. What would you like the Phillies to find under their tree come Christmas morning? A package of prospects for Cole Hamels? A smaller package for Marlon Bird? Jung-Ho Kang? Discuss.
Welcome to the 2015 Reader Top 30.
I will post a poll most days Monday thru Friday. I’m starting with MLB’s Top 20 and will add names as needed. I expect the first new group of names will be added after Prospect #5 is decided. If you want to make sure a name is added to the list e-mail prospectpoll@yahoo.com using the Subject Line – Add Prospect Continue reading Reader Top 30 #1
I was on the road last weekend and couldn’t provide an update. So, here’s a two-week update today.
Position Players
Get ready for the 2015 Reader Top 30 Prospect Survey. An overwhelming number of readers expressed interest in having a top 30. Of 274 respondents, 246 were in favor (89.8%).
I will start next week and try to post a poll every day. I would encourage each participant to submit her or his own Top 30 to prospectpoll@yahoo.com using the Subject – My Prospect List. I am curious how the day-by-day voting would affect the outcome when compared to a one-time submission along the lines of an MVP ballot. (This is not a requirement.)
I suggest we continue to follow Baseball America’s standards for prospects by considering any player eligible for rookie status as eligible for this poll.
As a quick refresher, the following players exceeded Rookie Status during the 2014 status – David Buchanan, Ken Giles, Miguel Gonzalez (he has 122 playing days at the major league level according to Baseball Reference), Cesar Hernandez, Mario Hollands, Ethan Martin, and Cameron Rupp. Continue reading Upcoming Reader Top 30 Poll
Its finally official now. The Phillies send Jimmy Rollins to the Dodgers and get back RHP Zach Eflin and LHP Tom Windle.
Here is video of Eflin.
Here is video of Windle.
My analysis: Eflin looks like a #4 starter in the majors. He is durable, none of his pitches are truly plus or better, but his overall package is solid. He looks like he’ll pitch at 90-93, so his command will need to be sharp, but he has done well since turning pro and he looks pretty durable. Windle looks like a reliever to me, but I’d give him every chance possible to stick as a starter. He has good raw stuff, but hes not a finished product and has a bit more to do. Given the Phillies struggles with player development, I’m at the point where I will take the low end of the probability scale on most guys, but Eflin at least seems pretty low risk.
Rollins had 1 year left on his deal, and I’m sure he’s happy he gets another shot at a ring, which he wasn’t going to get here.
Thanks for all of the memories, Young James.
