2018 Phillies Midseason Top 30

The Phillies are holding a tenuous lead the NL East heading down the stretch in large part to graduations from their farm system. This year J.P. Crawford (1), Scott Kingery (3), Jorge Alfaro (4), Ramon Quinn (13), Seranthony Dominguez (14), Victor Arano (30), and Jesmuel Valentin (32) all have or will have graduated off of the Phillies top prospect list. Another 4 preseason top 50 prospects will have appeared in the majors for the Phillies, and yet another was traded for a key deadline addition. This has left the Phillies farm system kind of bare. They have an elite level prospect in Sixto Sanchez. They have some solid prospects at the top of the system, but there isn’t the overwhelming wave of them we have grown used to. This has left this list kind of muddled. From 4 to about 15 could be rearranged in many different ways. From 16 onward could stretch 50 to 70 deep into a list if we wanted to go that far. This list of 30 is just a snapshot, and one that has been constantly evolving throughout the process. There will be more next week as I will have short entries on probably another 30-40 prospects who are interesting.

This list does not include prospects in the majors or prospects from the recent July 2 class.

1. Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Age 20

B/T: R/R H/W: 6’0″ 185lbs

Team	G	IP	ERA	WHIP	HR/9	BB%	K%
Clearwater (A+)	8	46.2	2.51	1.07	0.19	5.9%	23.9%

After getting off to a slow start due to illness, Sanchez was dominant for the Threshers. He has been sidelined with elbow inflammation since late June, with an expected return in mid to late August. When healthy, Sanchez once again showed a high 90s fastball that touched up to 102. His secondary pitches still need polishing, but he shows 3 future plus pitches in his slider, curveball, and changeup. He can throw all of his pitches for strikes, and while he rarely puts up huge strikeout numbers he is very efficient on the mound and generates plenty of weak contact. As long as there are no lasting effects from the injury, Sanchez profiles as an ace starting pitch and is one of the best pitching prospects in the minor leagues.
Preseason Rank: 2

2. Alec Bohm, 3B, Age: 22

B/T: R/R H/W: 6’5″ 225lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
GCL (Rk)	14	0	2	7.1%	0.0%	.500	.571	.667
Williamsport (SS)	59	0	1	6.8%	20.3%	.192	.288	.256

It has not been a great start for the #3 overall pick in the 2018 draft. Bohm has not performed well on the field in a small number of games, and is now sidelined with a nerve injury from a pitch that hit him in the knee. Bohm profiles to hit for average and power, and his plus plus raw power could make him an impactful bat in the middle of the Phillies order. Bohm showed in his time in college that he had the ability to make adjustments at the plate, raising his walk rate each year while lowering his strikeout rate. For now he is a fine third baseman, but there is some worry that given his size he will need to change positions if he fills out his frame.
Preseason Rank: N/A

3. Adonis Medina, RHP, Age: 21

B/T: R/R H/W: 6’1″ 185lbs

Team	G	IP	ERA	WHIP	HR/9	BB%	K%
Clearwater (A+)	18	85.1	4.96	1.34	1.05	7.6%	25.6%

It has been a slow rise through the Phillies system for Adonis Medina, spending a year per level so far. Medina is not having the best statistical year, trading dominant starts and disasters. Beyond the results, Medina’s year has been encouraging. His fastball is a heavy pitch that sits in the mid 90s, routinely touching up to 96-97. Medina is still working on the command of his offspeed pitches. He has mostly scrapped his curveball in favor of the plus slider he flashed last year. His changeup is also a plus pitch with good fade and run. It is a bit hard (high 80s), but is a bat misser. Medina can fill up the strike zone with all of his pitches, but can struggle to hit his spots. When on, Medina looks the part of at least a #3 starter, with #2 upside. When his command isn’t there, you are reminded that Medina is still only 21. Medina will be added to the 40 man roster this offseason and should move to AA next season.
Preseason Rank: 5

4. Adam Haseley, OF, Age: 22

B/T: L/L H/W: 6’1″ 195lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
Clearwater (A+)	354	5	7	5.4%	15.3%	.300	.343	.415
Reading (AA)	98	3	0	9.2%	11.2%	.333	.429	.488

When the Phillies selected Adam Hasley in the first round of the 2017 draft, they knew they were getting a player with a decent floor but with a chance for untapped potential. So far, Haseley has shown that floor. He has a good feel for making contact, and a good approach at the plate, giving him a decent amount of batting average and on base ability. In the field he can handle center field, but he is best suited as a plus defender in an outfield corner. The problem is Haseley still hasn’t added much in the way of power. He can square pitches up and probably could hit 15-20 home runs a year at his peak, but he is mostly going to line doubles into the gaps. Altogether Hasley profiles as an average regular in left or right, but there is a chance he is more of a bench outfield, but also a chance another healthy offseason helps him find the swing that turns some of those doubles into home runs.
Preseason Rank: 8

5. Jhailyn Ortiz, OF, Age: 19

B/T: R/R H/W: 6’3″ 215lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
Lakewood (A-)	360	11	2	6.4%	32.5%	.215	.275	.359

After dominating the New York-Penn League in 2017, Jhailyn Ortiz’s first trip to full season ball has not gone smoothly. The big right fielder had an early season shoulder injury that limited his power, and when coupled with a power approach, led to a poor start. After a good May and June, Ortiz has been in a prolonged slump as he expanded the strike zone and struck out at a high rate, while not drawing walks. It is not uncommon for teenagers to struggle in their first trip to full season ball, and the tools and abilities are still all there for Ortiz. He will need to get back under control with the all field approach that has served him well, but this year has shown that Ortiz is less polished than it looked like he might have been. In the field, the story is still the same for Ortiz. He tries hard, and he has a very strong arm, and for now he still has the speed to have good range, but given his size it is easy to see why there a lot of concerns about his future position. If Ortiz can maintain his athleticism, he profiles as an outfielder for the Phillies or a first baseman for most other teams.
Preseason Rank: 6

6. Enyel De Los Santos, RHP, Age: 22

B/T: R/R H/W: 6’3″ 170lbs

Team	G	IP	ERA	WHIP	HR/9	BB%	K%
Lehigh Valley (AAA)	18	104	2.51	1.16	0.95	8.4%	22.7%
Phillies (MLB)	3	12	6.00	1.67	1.50	9.1%	16.4%

Since coming over from the Padres for Freddy Galvis, Enyel De Los Santos has dominated the minors. However, for a guy who has been dominant, De Los Santos still has growth ahead. Right now he throws strikes with all of his pitches, starting with a fastball that will run 91 to 98 and a high 80s changeup. These two pitches keep hitters off balance, but it can be a struggle for Enyel to miss bats consistently. The Phillies have been working on a curveball and slider with him to try and get him another look. So far the results have been mixed. Without a good breaking ball, Enyel profiles as a back end starter or late innings reliever. Given his youth, there is a chance that Enyel can find a usable pitch from one of the two breaking balls. If so, he could be a mid rotation starter. Much like Zach Eflin, that growth may have to happen while shuttling between AAA and the majors, as De Los Santos has already established himself as the Phillies #6 starters.
Preseason Rank: 15

7. JoJo Romero, LHP, Age: 21

B/T: L/L H/W: 6’0″ 190lbs

Team	G	IP	ERA	WHIP	HR/9	BB%	K%
Reading (AA)	18	106.2	3.80	1.29	1.10	9.1%	22.1%

Romero’s season got off to a rough start as he was mixing all of his pitches and nibbling on the mound. As the year went on, Romero started to play more to his strengths, using his plus changeup and plus fastball to set the tone and did not rely as much on his two seam fastball and breaking balls. Romero still has to polish up his command, as he still walked too many batters even during his hot streak. He still probably needs one of his breaking balls to progress forward to make him a mid rotation starter, but his fastball and changeup combination make him pretty safe to be a #4 starter. Romero was a JuCo draftee so he is only 21, meaning there is plenty of time for him to refine his pitches. An oblique injury has sidelined Romero since July 20, but he is still on pace to factor into the 2019 major league season.
Preseason Rank: 12

8. Luis Garcia, SS, Age: 17

B/T: S/R H/W: 5’11” 170lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
GCL (Rk)	127	1	8	7.1%	8.7%	.385	.433	.538

The Phillies gave out their second largest international bonus ever last year to SS Luis Garcia. Garcia was billed as the best defensive shortstop in the class. He was supposed to have a good feel for contact, but not much power. After some early season yips throwing, Garcia has been as expected and more. Garcia has shown a good approach and an advanced feel for contact. Garcia is never going to be a middle of the lineup masher, but he could be a plus or better defender at short and hit near the top of a lineup. Garcia should be able to move quicker through the system than most recent international signings.
Preseason Rank: 21

9. Francisco Morales, RHP, Age: 18

B/T: R/R H/W: 6’4″ 185lbs

Team	G	IP	ERA	WHIP	HR/9	BB%	K%
Williamsport (SS)	9	35.2	6.31	1.82	0.50	15.4%	23.7%

Morales has the highest upside of any pitcher in the system other than Sanchez. His fastball will reach up to 97, and his slider is a plus pitch that can and should dominate. Morales even shows feel for a changeup. The only problem is that like most young, tall pitchers his control is a problem. Morales struggles to repeat his delivery and is prone to having his problems snowball. Morales has #2/#3 starter upside, but it is going to take some time for him to get everything polished.
Preseason Rank: 16

10. Ranger Suarez, LHP, Age: 22

B/T: L/L H/W: 6’0″ 177lbs

Team	G	IP	ERA	WHIP	HR/9	BB%	K%
Reading (AA)	12	75	2.76	1.12	0.24	6.7%	18.2%
Lehigh Valley (AAA)	5	26	3.12	1.42	0.35	9.0%	18.0%
Phillies (MLB)	1	5	7.20	1.4	3.60	4.8%	14.3%

The Phillies aggressively sent Suarez to AA after adding him to 40 man roster. After a rough first start, Suarez put together a run of good starts, earning a promotion to AAA. Suarez still sits 89-95 with his fastball. His changeup and slider are solid pitches, and he mixes his full arsenal well. Suarez profiles as a back end starter and is almost major league ready.
Preseason Rank: 18

11. Arquimedes Gamboa, SS, Age: 20

B/T: S/R H/W: 6’0″ 175lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
Clearwater (A+)	419	2	6	11.0%	22.0%	.214	.308	.280

After a solid year in Lakewood, the Phillies pushed the 20 year old Gamboa to Clearwater. After an underwhelming start to the year, Gamboa has been mired in an even worse month plus long slump. After showing a good approach in Lakewood, Gamboa has seen his strikeout rate spike in hi-A. At the plate, Gamboa doesn’t have much present power, but he has enough strength and projection to be a 10-15 a year home run hitter at his peak. Gamboa’s big draw, outside of his overall athleticism, is his glove which projects as plus. The Phillies are going to be facing a tough Rule 5 decision with Gamboa this offseason, but his overall collection of tools gives him the ceiling of an everyday shortstop.
Preseason Rank: 7

12. Spencer Howard, RHP, Age: 22

B/T: R/R H/W: 6’3″ 205lbs

Team	G	IP	ERA	WHIP	HR/9	BB%	K%
Lakewood (A-)	19	91	4.05	1.26	0.59	9.4%	30.4%

Given that he was a college junior when the Phillies took him in the 2nd round of the 2017 draft, it is difficult to remember that Spencer Howard has not been a starting pitcher for very long. Control and efficiency have been the real problems for Howard, as his stuff is usually overpowering. At his best he will throw an electric fastball that sits in the mid 90s, topping out at 98. He will show a plus slider and flash a plus changeup. He also has an average curveball that he will throw in occasionally. If he can master command and consistency, Howard profiles as at least a mid rotation starter. If he can master the changeup and at least average strike throwing, he could move to the bullpen where he could profile as a shutdown reliever. For now, the Phillies are going to move Howard slower than most college pitchers and let him work through his issues.
Preseason Rank: 20

13. Mickey Moniak, OF, Age: 20

B/T: L/R H/W: 6’2″ 185lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
Clearwater (A+)	384	4	5	4.7%	23.7%	.256	.290	.365

The Phillies started the year by aggressively pushing Moniak to Clearwater, and for 3 months it looked like a big mistake. Moniak occasionally hit for average, but he showed no power and no ability to walk, while still putting up huge strikeout rates. Then in July things turned around. Some tweaks to his swing, coupled with maybe some changes in confidence led to a hot streak where Moniak showed both power (13 July XBHs) and patience (10 walks). Moniak still has a lot of warts, and while evaluators agree he still has talent, it has been rare in the past two years that he has displayed it all at once on the field. Moniak won’t turn 21 until May of 2019, so while the impact talent one might expect for a first overall pick might not be there, there is still a chance Moniak could develop into a solid major leaguer. If he can’t keep up his current momentum, he should be one of the youngest players in AA next season.
Preseason Rank: 10

14. Simon Muzziotti, OF, Age: 19

B/T: L/L H/W: 6’1″ 175lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
GCL (Rk)	24	0	1	8.3%	4.2%	.091	.167	.091
Lakewood (A-)	199	1	15	2.5	14.1%	.272	.289	.366

The Phillies signed Muzziotti after the Red Sox were punished in 2016 for improper bonuses. Muzziotti is good at everything but power. He has a good glove in center with a solid arm. He has plus or better speed and an incredible feel for contact. Muzziotti swings early and often, and rarely misses. As he advances he will need to be more patient so that he hits good pitches, not just the ones he can hit. Muzziotti‘s contact and defense give him more safety than your average teenager to be a solid regular.
Preseason Rank: 23

15. Rafael Marchan, C, Age: 19

B/T: S/R H/W: 5’9″ 170lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
Williamsport (SS)	166	0	9	5.4%	7.2%	.312	.355	.377

The Phillies signed Marchan in the same summer as Jhailyn Ortiz, and while the Venezuelan catcher got significantly less money, he was still rated as one of the better prospect available that summer. Marchan struggled in the GCL after hitting well in his first year in the DSL, but has been on fire all year in Williamsport. Marchan doesn’t have any power right now, but he does have a great feel for contact and rarely strikes out. Marchan was an infielder before moving behind the plate the year before signing, and he is still somewhat of a project behind the plate. Marchan has a strong arm and has shown promise receiving, but he still struggles blocking the ball. Marchan is still just 19, so there is plenty of time for him to grow into more strength and fix his defensive issues. If he does, he could be an everyday player behind the plate.
Preseason Rank: UR

16. Daniel Brito, 2B, Age: 20

B/T: L/R H/W: 6’1″ 170lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
Lakewood (A-)	368	4	15	7.3%	17.4%	.252	.309	.340
Clearwater (A+)	20	0	1	0	30.0%	.250	.250	.250

After the 2016 season it looked like Brito had jumped to the front of the low level infield pile. He was coming off a great year in the GCL where he flashed power, speed, and approach at the plate. He then got off to a hot start in Lakewood in 2017, but stumbled down the stretch. A lot of Brito’s struggles were explained away as exhaustion as his slight frame may not have been ready for full season ball, but when he hit .171 in April with his swing looking like a disaster there were plenty of alarm bells raised. Brito recovered in June, hitting .284 and seeing his walk rate increase. In July he cut his strikeout rate while still hitting .291. All of this eventually earned him an August promotion to Clearwater. It is easy to see the appeal with Brito, he is projectable, athletic, quick, and a really good defender at second base. His swing can get long and loopy, and his approach can fall apart, but when right, he makes a lot of good contact, draws walks, and steals bases. Right now, Brito has below average power, but his swing indicates that he could have average or better power when he fills out his skinny frame. If Brito can have a strong final month of the year, he can do a lot to erase the bad taste left by early season scouting reports.
Preseason Rank: 11

17. Cole Irvin, LHP, Age: 24

B/T: L/L H/W: 6’4″ 180lbs

Team	G	IP	ERA	WHIP	HR/9	BB%	K%
Lehigh Valley (AAA)	22	135	3.00	1.11	0.73	5.2%	21.0%

The Phillies were the big believers in Cole Irvin in the 2016 draft. While many were reporting that Irvin’s fastball post Tommy John surgery was in the mid to high 80s, the Phillies had a look in the low 90s. That velocity has held, as Irvin mostly sits 89-92, but he can get to 93-95 when needed. None of Irvin’s pitches are overpowering, but he will mix a slider, curveball, changeup, and at least 3 versions of his fastball, and throw them all for strikes. Irvin was a red shirt junior when he was drafted, so he is already 24 and as filled out as he is going to be. Since being drafted, Irvin has continued to polish his arsenal, and it has lead to steady gains in walk and strikeout rates this season. Without an unforeseen jump in one of his secondary pitches, Irvin profiles as a back end starter. He is essentially major league ready, but 40 man roster issues will probably push his debut until 2019.
Preseason Rank: 26

18. Jonathan Guzman, SS, Age: 18

B/T: R/R H/W: 6’0″ 156lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
Williamsport (SS)	176	2	3	4.0%	24.4%	.223	.256	.301

The Phillies have built a large stock of Latin middle infielders in the low minors. Guzman is in his 3rd pro year, but at just 18 he is one of the youngest players in the New York-Penn League. He is still physically undersized and that has caused him to wear down over the season, but despite his lack of strength Guzman has surprising power for his size. Guzman also displays a solid approach and feel for contact. It isn’t just at the plate where Guzman excels, he is a good defender at shortstop and profiles to have plus defense at his peak.
Preseason Rank: 22

19. Mauricio Llovera, RHP, Age: 22

B/T: R/R H/W: 5’11” 200lbs

Team	G	IP	ERA	WHIP	HR/9	BB%	K%
Clearwater (A+)	19	96	4.31	1.17	0.94	7.0%	25.7%

Mauricio Llovera looks the part of a reliever. He has a high effort delivery and a short, stocky build. The past two years have seen him start in the bullpen and then move to the rotation, and for the second year in a row he he has had success in that role. As a starter, Llovera’s fastball sits 90-96, touching 97. He has a slider that can get a bit flat and an improving changeup. Llovera has struggled to command his pitches at times, but he fills up the strike zone. As a starter, Llovera profiles more as a back end starter, but he has shown enough improvement in the past year, that there might be a little more improvement left. Llovera is also very intriguing as a reliever, should the Phillies decide to fast track him there. In the bullpen he can sit more 94-98 and has touched 100 in his career, and could be a multi inning high leverage reliever.
Preseason Rank: UR

20. Deivi Grullon, C, Age: 22

B/T: R/R H/W: 6’1″ 180lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
Reading (AA)	292	17	0	5.5%	21.6%	.294	.333	.539

The 2018 season is Deivi Grullon’s 6th in the Phillies system, and the 22 year old catcher has gone up and down rankings throughout his tenure. Long touted as a good defender with a laser arm, there has been building skepticism over the years as to whether Grullon would ever hit enough to be a major league backup. This season, while playing in the great hitters park that is Reading, Grullon finally added some impact to his value at the plate. Grullon as long had raw strength, but this season he started elevating the ball a bit more, turning ground balls into line drives and some more fly balls. That coupled with a career high home run to fly ball rate has seen the stout backstop approach 20 home runs for the season. Grullon is still prone to being undisciplined at the plate and may never be a major league average offensive contributor. However, his combination of defensive skills and new found power make him intriguing as a backup, and given his youth, there is a chance he does start to make some strides with his approach at the plate and becomes an everyday catcher.
Preseason Rank: UR

21. Kyle Young, LHP, Age: 20

B/T: L/L H/W: 6’10” 205lbs

Team	G	IP	ERA	WHIP	HR/9	BB%	K%
Lakewood (A-)	8	48.1	2.98	0.99	0.37	3.7%	22.9%

Young stands out on the mound. At 7’0” tall he is an extreme anomaly, and Young is an outlier among outliers because he is 7’0” and athletic enough to repeat his delivery and command his pitches. Young shows 3 pitches, all of which are presently below average. The Phillies think he will eventually add another 5+ mph as he fills out more, but for now he is more 89-91. Young makes up for a lack of stuff by having a funky arm angle and great extension on his pitches. Young has struggled with health this season and is now sidelined with a non-public injury. Young’s upside is near limitless because of his projectable frame, but with his current stuff he is more of a back end starter or reliever.
Preseason Rank: 25

22. Connor Seabold, RHP, Age: 22

B/T: R/R H/W: 6’3″ 190lbs

Team	G	IP	ERA	WHIP	HR/9	BB%	K%
Clearwater (A+)	12	71.2	3.77	0.99	0.75	4.9%	23.8%
Reading (AA)	8	40.2	5.53	1.38	1.99	9.0%	23.7%

Seabold is the middle of the 3 Cal State Fullerton RHPs in the Phillies organization, between the traded for Thomas Eshelman and the just drafted Colton Eastman. Seabold has the hardest fastball of the group, sitting 89-93, touching up to 94. He will throw it in two and four seam varieties. His best secondary pitch is a high 70s curveball that is average to above average. He has a low 80s changeup, but it is a clear third pitch. Like most Fullerton pitchers, Seabold throws a lot of strikes, but against more experienced AA hitters, his walk rate has suffered as they are chasing less. Seabold lacks a dominant pitch, meaning his future is likely at the back of a rotation if he can find some consistency in his changeup. Without the changeup, he is probably a middle reliever as the fastball and curveball probably play up in a bullpen role.
Preseason Rank: 29

23. Jake Holmes, 3B, Age: 20

B/T: R/R H/W: 6’3″ 185lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
GCL (Rk)	129	4	4	7.8%	14.7%	.353	.395	.534
Williamsport (SS)	25	0	1	4	20.0%	.333	.360	.375

The Phillies took Jake Holmes in the 11th round of the 2017 draft, but gave him a bonus more in line with a 4th round pick. A shortstop in high school, Holmes’ frame indicated that his future home was at third, and the Phillies made that move last fall. Holmes is a projectable 6’3” who should have at least above average power long term. For now, Holmes is a plus runner, but he is likely to lose some of that as he bulks up. After being held back in the GCL to start the year, Holmes was recently promoted to Williamsport. He doesn’t have elite tools, but he profiles as a solid regular at the hot corner.
Preseason Rank: 45

24. Rodolfo Duran, C, Age: 20

B/T: R/R B/T: 5’9″ 181lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
Lakewood	262	13	0	6.5%	22.5%	.241	.287	.473

Duran spent his first few years in the Phillies system receiving praise for his defense and for his contact abilities. Duran’s bat never seemed to show up in games, and he struggled greatly to start the 2018 season. In June, Duran showed a much improved approach and a big improvement in power output. The season stats still aren’t great, and Duran slumped after his hit streak. Given his defense and youth, Duran has time to turn offensive flashes into consistent output. If Duran can find offensive consistency, he could be an average regular behind the plate.
Preseason Rank: UR

25. Kevin Gowdy, RHP, Age: 20

B/T: R/R H/W: 6’4″ 170lbs

By saving money in signing Mickey Moniak in 2016, the Phillies were able to sign Kevin Gowdy to a large bonus. Gowdy looked good in Extended Spring Training in 2017, but an arm injury eventually led to Tommy John surgery. Now about a year later, Gowdy is starting to throw again. The hope is that Gowdy will pitch to hitters in Fall Instructs and then have a healthy offseason before being good to go in 2019. As an amateur, Gowdy showed a low to mid 90s fastball, a plus slider, and a promising changeup. Gowdy also had good control and projectable frame. At the time it looked like his ceiling was a #3 starter with a chance at a bit more. Given his pre-injury projectability, there is a chance Gowdy comes back much better than before the injury as he filled out during missed time. With a good showing this fall, Gowdy’s stock could sharply rise.
Preseason Rank: 31

26. Abrahan Gutierrez, C, Age: 18

B/T: R/R H/W: 6’2″ 214lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
GCL (Rk)	135	0	1	3.0%	10.4%	.302	.336	.365

At one point Gutierrez was considered one of the best players in the 2016 July 2 signing class. It turns out that Gutierrez was a bit more feel and current physical maturity than future projection. So when his contract with the Braves was voided, he received significantly less from the Phillies. While he lacks high end athleticism or tools in general, Gutierrez has solid tools. He is a solid hitter who should be able to stick behind the plate. The combination of offense and defense gives him a complete enough skill set to profile as an average regular. Like most 18 year olds, there are a lot of things for Gutierrez to polish up and improve, but he has plenty of time to do it.
Preseason Rank: 48

27. Brayan Gonzalez, 2B, Age: 18

B/T: S/R H/W: 5’11” 172lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
Williamsport (SS)	157	1	2	8.9%	37.6%	.217	.295	.297

Gonzalez was the other pride of the Phillies 2016 signing class alongside Francisco Morales, and like Morales he has been struggling in his time in the New York-Penn League. Gonzalez has looked overmatched at the plate, with very high strikeout rates. However, the 18 year old second baseman does have solid offense tools, a swing that should generate contact plenty of contact, sneaky power, and solid speed on the bases. Gonzalez should be playing shortstop, but much like Daniel Brito he has moved to second base, where he might be an elite defender long term. Gonzalez will need to find his way at the plate, but he still has major league regular upside.
Preseason Rank: 28

28. Ben Pelletier, OF, Age: 19

B/T: R/R H/W: 6’2″ 190lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
Williamsport (SS)	193	5	1	5.7%	22.3%	.283	.339	.468

The Phillies drafted Ben Pelletier back in 2015, but because he was the youngest player ever drafted, Pelletier is still only 19 years old. The Canadian outfielder is a prototype for a corner. He is solidly built, with plus raw power and the beginnings of an approach. There are still some holes to his game, but Pelletier profiles as a solid regular.
Preseason Rank: 43

29. Cornelius Randolph, OF, Age: 21

B/T: L/R H/W: 5’11” 205lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
Reading (AA)	405	3	2	10.6%	20.5%	.230	.315	.301

Randolph has always been a hard prospect to judge. At the core he is a left fielder who brings no defensive value and has below optimal power for the position. At the same time, he gets on base, can show decent contact abilities, and only turned 21 years old in June. The problem with relying on his youth is that Randolph has no physical projection left. He is solidly built, and while there is room to add some strength, he isn’t going to have a multigrade raw power jump. He also spent his first 3 months in a great hitters park, hitting pitifully. Part of the problem is his approach. Randolph’s power is to his pull side, but his contact abilities are to all fields. Right now he can accomplish one or the other, or like he did to start this year, fail to do either. The good news is that at age 21, Randolph spent all of July in AA, mashing the baseball and walking more than he struck out. On the year his walk and strikeout rates are very good for his age and level. It all comes back to the first issue though, he needs to hit and he needs to hit for power. At this point Randolph is going to need to find a swing and approach at the plate that allows him to turn his great batting eye into at least average power, or he is going to completely fall off of prospect lists.
Preseason Rank: 19

30. Nicolas Torres, 2B, Age: 18

B/T: R/R H/W: 5’10” 155lbs

Team	PA	HR	SB	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG
GCL (Rk)	110	1	5	4.5%	13.6%	.350	.380	.476

With Brayan Gonzalez and Jonathan Guzman in the GCL last year, Nicolas Torres was held back in the DSL. Torres was a shortstop when he signed, but he is now a second baseman and should be a pretty good defender there. Torres doesn’t have much power, but he has a good feel for contact and plus plus speed.
Preseason Rank: UR