It is Rule 5 protection! Rosters are due at the end of the week and as has been previewed for over a year the Phillies have some difficult decisions to make in terms of who to protect. The combination of trades, the emergence of members of the 2012 draft class, and a resurgent international program have filled the system with prospects and that wave of prospects is right on the cusp of the major leagues. In the first part of what will be a week’s worth of previews we are going to look at the locks to be added to the roster.
Andrew Knapp
Knapp’s numbers slipped from his power breakout in Reading during the 2015 season. He still strikes out at a high rate and his power is more fringe average that the .271 ISO in Reading indicated. He is not a great defender behind the plate either. That seems like a lot of negatives, but with a bunch of average-ish skills Knapp still has a future as a backup catcher. The Phillies currently have only Cameron Rupp and Jorge Alfaro under contract behind the plate. Depending on how the offseason goes Knapp could step in for the Phillies as their backup catcher on opening day, and that is worth a roster spot.
Dylan Cozens
Even if you don’t think Cozens will hit major league pitching the chance that he might tap into his power even in just a platoon role is too much upside to let another team take a crack at it. Cozens also has the combination of youth (22) and proximity (he should start in AAA) where he can use up some options and not be in any danger of using them up before making the majors.
Ben Lively
I am not a fan of Ben Lively the prospect, but the Phillies are in no position to be giving up major league ready starting pitching depth. Even if the Phillies don’t believe in Lively as a starting pitcher they could give him a try in the bullpen or get decent value from a team that believes in him.
Mark Appel
I have Appel on the lock list even though I am not 100% positive he will be protected. The Phillies have invested a serious amount of resources in Appel in terms of acquisition as well as building him back up. Appel also has the profile that gets picked in the Rule 5 draft as a former top prospect that still has plus skills (velocity and slider), as well as a major league role you could put him in immediately (bullpen). If the Phillies do not protect Appel it is almost certainly a signal that they do not believe in him going forward.
Nick Williams
Despite a rough August and some large approach issues, Williams is still a top 5 prospect in the Phillies system. The Phillies still believe in Williams’ future and that trust could be returned in the form of an everyday corner outfielder.
Nick Pivetta
Pivetta is a big right handed pitcher in AAA who sits 93-96 with a good curveball and decent control. If you don’t think he ever develops the command or changeup to stay in a rotation he could step into the Phillies bullpen right now and be one of their 3 best arms.
Elniery Garcia
Garcia was probably a tougher decision before he came up and was good on a big stage in the Eastern League playoffs. Smart front offices will have already noticed that Garcia was flashing improved stuff in the Florida State League this year. Garcia might only be a back end starter, but he is the best left handed starting pitcher in the org and is young enough that he might be able to hold some of his velocity gains while improving his command and secondary pitches. He is also currently working on adding a slider to his arsenal.
Photo by Baseball Betsy