The Phillies system is not just the 50 players that were on the list I wrote earlier this offseason. The difference between players that made the list and those that did not is often not large. My goal is to highlight every player in the system that I found interesting, with an eye towards players that have at least some sort of fringe chance to make the major leagues. Most will not reach the majors, and many will not reach the upper minors, but with the right breaks a player with a couple average or better skills can carve out a role for at least a short period of time. I am kicking off this series with what used to be weakest part of the Phillies’ system, left handed pitching. The Phillies have almost no major league left handed relievers, and no left handed starters. I highlighted some starters in the Top 50, but no relievers made the list, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
Top 50:
Starting Pitchers:
Pitchers listed in order of writing, not ranked
Nick Fanti, Age 21, 6’2″ 185lbs, 31st rd 2015 draft
Nick Fanti had two of the most dominant outings in the Phillies system in 2017 with his role in two no hitters (one solo and one joint). His changeup is a good pitch, and he has confidence and command of his fringy curveball. However, his fastball sits upper 80s, and he doesn’t have a ton of projection left. If he is perfect, he could be a #5 starter, but his likelier MLB path is in a bullpen.
Ethan Lindow, Age 19, 6’3″ 180lbs, 5th rd 2017 draft
The Phillies gave Lindow an overslot bonus in the 5th round of the 2017 draft. In pro ball his velocity was down and his talent was behind the other lefties on the GCL team. He has a projectable frame and has touched the low 90s before, so things could change as the coaches work with him more.
David Parkinson, Age 22, 6’2″ 210lbs, 12th rd 2017 draft
Parkinson was a mid day 2 level talent in the draft (rounds 5-8), and the Phillies were able to snag him on Day 3 and give him a day 2 bonus. He is a polished college starter with a chance at 3 average pitches. He will probably start in Lakewood, and if he falters he could move to the bullpen.
Brandon Leibrandt, Age 25, 6’4″ 190lbs, 6th rd 2014 draft
After an injury ridden 2016, Leibrandt bounced back in 2017. He still throws in the high 80s, and he still has a great changeup. Leibrandt doesn’t miss many bats, but he is interesting as a LOOGY because of his command. He should start the year in AAA.
Will Stewart, Age 20, 6’2″ 175lbs, 20th rd 2015 draft
The Phillies took Stewart as a young projectable lefty late in the 2015 draft. Since then his velocity has increased to sit in the low 90s. He has a changeup and curveball and doesn’t miss many bats, but he does get lots of ground balls. His delivery and lack of good secondary pitches makes his future likely in the bullpen.
Relief Pitchers:
Austin Davis, Age 25, 6’4″ 245lbs, 12th rd 2014 draft
Davis missed more of the 2016 season due to injury and came into 2017 as a full time reliever. His velocity has jumped to sitting mid 90s, and he touched 98 in Clearwater. In hi-A he was able to throw a ton of strikes, but his control suffered in AA. He struggled down the stretch, which is not surprising given his limited 2016 innings. He has good size and did not struggle against righties like most of his left handed counterparts. With more consistency in 2018, he could be in the majors by the end of the year as more than a LOOGY.
Tyler Gilbert, Age 24, 6’3″ 190lbs, 6th rd 2015 draft
After a mixed year in 2016, Gilbert moved to the bullpen in 2017. He put up a good ERA in Clearwater, but his velocity was still in the low 90s, and while he was good against lefties he wasn’t dominant. Gilbert will probably top out as an org reliever unless he finds a weapon in the bullpen.
Joey DeNato, Age 26, 5’10” 175lbs, 19th rd 2014 draft
After dominating for his first 2 years in the Phillies’ system, DeNato has run into trouble in the upper minors. The short lefty tops out in the upper 80s and has mostly an arsenal of fringy pitches. He can get lefties out, but he struggles to generate strikeouts and is a disaster against righties. He does have an incredible pick off move.
Garrett Cleavinger, Age 23, 6’1″ 210lbs, 3rd rd 2015 draft (traded from Baltimore to Philly for Jeremy Hellickson)
The Phillies acquired Cleavinger in the deal that sent Jeremy Hellickson to Baltimore. He is a former high pick who was supposed to be a fast moving reliever. Instead he has average stuff and below average control.
Anton Kuznetsov, Age 19, 6’1″ 185lbs, International Free Agent 9/8/16, Russia
The Phillies signed Kuznetsov out of Russia last offseason. Given his background, Kuznetsov is surprisingly polished with a 3 pitch mix and good command and feel for pitching. What he lacks is future projection and an average fastball. He might have enough feel to be a LOOGY.
Aaron Brown, Age 25, 6’2″ 220lbs, 3rd rd 2014 draft
After another poor start as a hitter, Brown and the Phillies decided to transition him back to the mound. After a month of training, Brown was on the mound for the GCL Phillies. By the end of the year, Brown was throwing in the low 90s and flashing a usable slider. In college, Brown had a 3 pitch mix and a back of the rotation projection, so his future will depend on how he shows up in camp.
Zach Warren, Age 21, 6’5″ 200lbs, 14th rd 2017 draft
Warren had a poor junior year at Tennessee, but was dominant in the bullpen for the Crosscutters. He was more of a soft tosser last year in college, but he is still only 21 and 6’5”, so he still has some projection left.
Jeff Singer, Age 24, 6’0″ 200lbs, Amateur Free Agent 10/15/15
After rocketing through the system in 2016, Singer had a much slower move through the system this year. He throws in the mid 90s and has touched up to 97. His slider is a nice pair to his fastball, but is not a wipeout pitch. He needs to polish his command, but could help a Phillies bullpen starved for lefties by the end of 2018.
Damon Jones, Age 23, 6’5″ 225lbs, 18th rd 2017 draft
Occasionally college starters moving to the bullpen have surprising results in pro ball. The bad for Jones is that he walked 20 batters in 26 innings for Williamsport. The good news is that he is 6’5” and struck out 38 in those 26 innings while sitting 93-94 and touching up to 96. He will likely start in Lakewood and could move quickly if his control improves.
Matt – where is the hulking and strike throwing Jakob Hernandez? He might end up as the 3rd best lefty in the farm behind JoJo and Ranger.
Not a prospect until he shows otherwise. If you are a filled out college pitcher topping out at 90 you need to do more than have 11 good GCL innings.
Great summary, Matt. But I’ve got to say, it’s kind of depressing. It’s a pretty sad group of fringe prospects. Here’s hoping a few of them can figure how to throw strikes and surprise us all.