A Critical Look at the Phillies Organization and Minor League Baseball
Matt Winkelman The top of the Phillies system is populated by the usual suspects, the last 4 first round picks (all high schoolers), their best international signing in recent seasons, and their breakout prospect who reached the majors in 2023. While the 1st round picks are not perfect, and all suffer from their own injury or weakness … Read more
The Phillies have struggled to develop unknown talent, they have struggled on international signings, and they have struggled to identify and develop high upside prospects. This group is not a solution to all of those problems, and in the case of some players it is a warning sign of how things don’t always work out … Read more
The Phillies concentrated the 2022 draft class and their international pitching in Clearwater to open the year. The result was one of the best performing teams in the minors. After injuries and promotions, Jean Cabrera and Estibenzon Jimenez formed the core of the rotation into the postseason. This section involves those arms, their opening day … Read more
The Phillies system is not particularly deep or great. This part of the list would ideally be 5-10 spots deeper, but it isn’t. What it is, is some upper minors players right on the cusp of contributing, but not good enough to knock down the door. The rest is sort of the reality of young … Read more
Not every prospect in the minors is destined to be an impact contributor to a major league team. It is really easy to see these role players, whether they are bench hitters, middle relievers, or back end starters, as those with higher ceilings that did not meet those heights. Not every player in this group … Read more
It is once again list season, a time and activity that brings me excitement and stress. Ultimately the list allows me to consolidate thoughts on a one year check in on the players in the system. The actual numbers help in identifying value and justifying that value. I don’t do OFPs or Future Values, but … Read more
To the frustration of many Phillies fans, the Phillies offseason has consisted mostly of resigning Aaron Nola and making some minor league moves. Fans see players like Ohtani and Soto change organizations without the Phillies involved, and not only a lack of rumors around top free agents, but outright denials from the team, and wonder … Read more
As predicted heading into the Rule 5 Draft the Phillies had an uneventful major league portion of the Rule 5 draft. They did not have any prospects who were likely to help a major league team in 2024 and picking late in a weak draft they decided to not make any selections. The minor league … Read more
The Rule 5 draft is this Wednesday. It is the capstone event of the Winter Meetings for the real sickos out there, but the event itself is often nothing due to the fact that the threat of it forces teams to actually make roster decisions on it. The last few years the Phillies have been … Read more
Yesterday was the deadline for teams to add players to the 40 man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 draft (and to the AAA roster for the minor league portion, but we don’t actually get that roster). The deadline helps spur movement as teams make decisions about the volatility of their 40 man … Read more