The announcement of rosters each year is a good marker of where players stand with the organization. The release of short season rosters is always in flux as new draftees alter the lineup over the first week of the season. So here is the current roster, what it means and how the 2014 draft fits in.
Pitching:
Mitch Gueller, Alejandro Arteago, Richard Bielski, Delvy Francisco, Manaure Martinez, Ricardo Pinto, Frank Rivas, Keivy Rojas, Feliberto Sanchez, Josh Warner
The only set members of the rotation are likely Arteaga (who started 9 disastrous games for Lakewood this year), Sanchez, and Gueller. Of that group Gueller’s return trip to Williamsport is the most interesting name here, a former 1st round pick who had the potential for 3 plus pitches coming out of the draft. In 2013 he showed inconsistency across the board along with a drop in velocity, but if he can show some of his pre-draft stuff he could jump back up lists.
2014 Draft – The Phillies top 2 picks Aaron Nola and Matt Imhof could skip past Williamsport on the way to Lakewood or higher. However, the Crosscutters rotation should pick up 4th round pick Chris Oliver and6th round pick Brandon Leibrandt. Depending on signings, Matt Hockenberry (9th), Austin Davis (12th), Nathan Thornhill (13th), and Joey DeNato (19th) could all factor into the rotation and at least into the bullpen. Speaking of the bullpen, 22nd round pick Ryan Powers is a power RH reliever out of Miami (OH) who could factor into the late innings of the Crosscutter bullpen if the Phillies send him there.