Prospect Spotlight

Futures Game: J.P. Crawford

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It was no surprise that J.P. Crawford was named to the US roster for the Futures Game this past Sunday.  Crawford has become the Phillies consensus top prospect after his continued success in 2014 following being the #16 overall pick of the 2013 draft.  Crawford stormed through the South Atlantic League and is now settling … Read more

Phillies Post Trade Deadline Call-Up Options

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The Phillies (42-53) lost their second straight game Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park, the offense was anemic and pitching was horrific. There are rumors surrounding the impending trades, including a potential Marlon Byrd trade to the Seattle Mariners. There are many names that will be talked about in the coming weeks. Philadelphia sits ten games behind … Read more

Three Under the Radar Storylines

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There has been a lot attention paid to the resurgence of two third baseman in the Phillies system in Maikel Franco and Zach Green.  The shortseason Williamsport Crosscutters have been putting up some impressive offensive numbers as well.  But there are a couple of players whose performances aren’t generating as much buzz. Andrew Knapp in … Read more

Kelly Dugan’s Offensive Potential in Context

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Scouting Director Marti Wolever and the Philadelphia Phillies stocked up on collegiate players in the 2014 draft. Some names have already had an impact in Williamsport and Philadelphia’s other minor league affiliates, most notably Aaron Nola. They’ve recently missed out on high school outfield bats in both the draft and trades, but one is climbing … Read more

Phillies have Rebuilt Minor League Depth

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Going into the 2012 offseason the farm system was decimated, the Phillies had just completed the Hunter Pence trade leaving Trevor May as the top prospect in the system.  Over the previous 4 seasons the Phillies had traded away large portions of their top prospect lists, while giving up first round picks to sign free … Read more

Improving Defense Long Term

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The Phillies’ offense and pitching has been a focal point of discussion from spring training to this point as the club continues to near the trade deadline where the obvious decision to sell should be made by GM Ruben Amaro and team ownership.  Philadelphia’s offense ranked eighth worse in the league at 3.86 runs per … Read more

The Evolution of Ken Giles

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There has been much wailing and gnashing of teeth this year about the Phillies development process, and inability to develop a homegrown reliever.  This past week, the Phillies promoted their best relief prospect in a while to the major leagues in Ken Giles (where he joined fellow homegrown relievers Bastardo, De Fratus, Diekman, and Hollands). … Read more

What to Make of Cam Perkins

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One of the breakout candidates for the first half of the Phillies season has been outfielder Cam Perkins.  On his career Perkins is hitting .305/.358/.438 and he has put up gaudy doubles numbers with 74 doubles across 241 games.  In 2014 he hit 19 doubles in 52 games for the Reading Fightin Phils.  On the first glance these numbers start to create a narrative of a player who should be topping prospect lists.  Lets take a deeper look into a player who has been getting a ton of press.

Lets start with the defense.  In the field Perkins can play RF, LF, and 1B (he did play 11 games at third base in 2012, his college position).  In the outfield he has an average arm, and he is passable on his routes.  He has the athleticism to be playable in both corners, but he fits best in left field long term.  Overall the defense shouldn’t be a liability, but it isn’t going to help him.

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