You can find all of the rankings and other material for this year here.
40. Casey Martin, SS
Age: 22
Acquired: Drafted in the 3rd Round of the 2020 Draft by the Phillies
B/T: R/R
H/W: 5’11” 175lbs
2021 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | PA | HR | SB | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| CLW (A-) | 69 | 301 | 6 | 15 | 9.3% | 22.6% | .223 | .316 | .356 |
| JS (A+) | 29 | 126 | 1 | 2 | 10.3% | 41.3% | .136 | .230 | .200 |
Role: High End Utility Player
Risk: Extreme – Martin’s track record of not hitting is getting long. He still has a lot of tools, and while not a great middle infield defender, he has defensive versatility at premium positions.
Summary: Martin fell in the draft due to hit tool concerns, and after a rough first month in professional ball he seemed to be turning a corner. Upon his promotion to high-A Jersey Shore the wheels fully came off with a strikeout rate over 40% in 29 games. Martin then returned to Clearwater where his numbers continued to be poor. As a proven hitter in the SEC, hitting poorly in low-A sets off a lot of alarm bells. He has solid raw power, but did not consistently hit the ball hard. He is a near elite level runner, but was not a consistent base running threat after May. He currently plays short and second, and it is reasonable he can play third and center field down the line, but he is not a great defender at any of them. A foot injury that eventually required surgery likely made things worse, but it is not the sole reason he batted under .200 for the season. Martin’s potential versatility and underlying tools do give him a path to being an interesting bench player, who can do a bunch of things even if he struggles to have a below average hit tool. His immediate future will be proving he isn’t a zero hit tool player.
2022 Outlook: Martin should be fully healthy for Spring Training and will get another shot at Jersey Shore. He is going to need to put up at minimum a league average stat line to rebuild any sort of prospect momentum.
ETA: 2024
Previous Rank: 12
39. Andrick Nava, C
Age: 20
Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in July 2018 by the Phillies
B/T: S/R
H/W: 5’11” 175lbs
2021 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | PA | HR | SB | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| PHI (CPX) | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 33.3% | .333 | .333 | .333 |
Role: Bat First Second Catcher
Risk: Extreme – Nava doesn’t have defense to fall back on and has missed two years of development.
Summary: Nava hit very well as a 17 year old in the GCL in 2019, but then due to injuries he made only 6 trips to the plate as a 19 year old at the same level. He is a switch hitter with good contact abilities and moderate power. He is not a great defensive catcher, and the missed time has certainly not helped that.
2022 Outlook: He was slated for Clearwater before missing the year to injury, so an actual attempt at the level seems in order. Overall, staying healthy for a full season is the top priority.
ETA: 2025
Previous Rank: 22
38. Jordi Martinez, LHP
Age: 21
Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in January 2018 by the Phillies
B/T: L/L
H/W: 6’2” 185lbs
2021 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | GS | W-L | IP | ERA | H/9 | HR/9 | BB% | K% |
| CLW (A-) | 10 | 6 | 3-0 | 32.0 | 2.53 | 7.0 | 0.6 | 8.5% | 26.2% |
Role: #4 Starter/Middle Reliever
Risk: Extreme – Like a bunch of the Phillies young arms, Martinez lacks a complete arsenal and track record. Because of an injury he only pitched 32 innings in 2021. His fastball gets up to 96 and he has a changeup and slider, so there are some starting characteristics, but he is very far away.
Summary: Martinez entered 2021 as a bit of a sleeper prospect. He was an under the radar signing in 2018 ($10,000 in January) and had a poor year in the DSL, followed by 12 innings in the GCL in 2019. The left handed starter can run his sinking fastball (he has a defined 2-seamer as well) up to 96, averaging around 93 on the year for Clearwater. His slider is the better of his two offspeed pitches, but he does throw a changeup. Martinez throws enough strikes that it is not hard to see a starter profile without a ton of squinting. However, he pitched in only 10 games this season (he was in the Threshers’ piggyback rotation) due an injury in early July, and is now 21 and has a career high season innings of 41.1. It behooves the Phillies to keep him in a rotation right now, given he needs innings to develop, but his long term home might be in a bullpen role.
2022 Outlook: If Martinez is back fully healthy, he likely will be part of whatever shape the Jersey Shore rotation takes. The Phillies will likely give him all year in the rotation, but the outcome of his season will likely determine his long term role.
ETA: 2025
Previous Rank: 49
37. Gunner Mayer, RHP
Age: 21
Acquired: Drafted in the 5th Round of the 2019 Draft by the Phillies
B/T: R/R
H/W: 6’6” 190lbs
2021 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | GS | W-L | IP | ERA | H/9 | HR/9 | BB% | K% |
| PHI (Rk) | 2 | 0 | 0-0 | 3.0 | 0.00 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 55.6% |
| CLW (A-) | 11 | 7 | 0-7 | 23.1 | 10.03 | 12.0 | 1.9 | 17.6% | 26.4% |
Role: #4 Starter
Risk: Extreme – Mayer is still fairly young, but he only has 34.2 innings pitched since being drafted in 2019. He is a slightly better project than when he was drafted, but he is still more projection than actual tools.
Summary: Mayer had just recently moved to the mound when the Phillies took him in the 5th round of the draft in 2019. He still shows arm strength, with his fastball up to 95.9 per Statcast with spin rates over 2400 rpm. He has a changeup and a curveball, but the curveball spin does not match the fastball spin. He missed bats for Clearwater, but also had a hard time consistently throwing strikes. Mayer had an arm injury that caused him to miss a chunk of the season, and the Clearwater COVID shutdown cost him more time. He is still a projectable project, but he has a lot less margin for error and development bumps than he did 2 years ago. If things start to slide, you can see a scenario where the physical project and velocity potential, combined with shortening him in a relief role, could make for an interesting pitcher given his fastball characteristics.
2022 Outlook: Assuming he is back fully healthy, Mayer should be part of whatever form the Jersey Shore rotation takes. This year isn’t make or break, but he does need to start showing larger steps forward.
ETA: 2025
Previous Rank: 27
36. Starlyn Castillo, RHP
Age: 20
Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in July 2018 by the Phillies
B/T: R/R
H/W: 6’0” 210lbs
2021 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | GS | W-L | IP | ERA | H/9 | HR/9 | BB% | K% |
| CLW (A-) | 6 | 3 | 0-2 | 20.2 | 4.35 | 7.4 | 0.4 | 11.1% | 22.2% |
Role: #4 Starter/7th Inning Reliever
Risk: Extreme – Castillo is only 19, but he is already entering his pre-Rule 5 season having pitched exactly 30 innings in his pro-career and staring down a mostly lost 2022. He still has the two pitch mix to have a bullpen upside, but his time to work through his changeup and control may not be very long when he gets back.
Summary: Castillo was the Phillies top international signing in 2018 as an already physically mature pitcher. He was up to 97 mph as a 15 year old, and that has mostly stayed with his fastball sitting 91-95, touching 96 the last two seasons. Statcast labels his breaking ball a curveball, but it is often called a slider. It is a high spin, vertical pitch in the high 70s-low 80s. His changeup is a clear third pitch, and he didn’t turn to it very often. Unfortunately, Castillo’s season ended after 6 games when an elbow injury led to Tommy John surgery in June. Castillo turns 20 at the end of February, but he will also be Rule 5 eligible after this season, so he should be further along in his development. Castillo still has a chance to start, but the combination of lack of a good changeup and missing development time means that a future in the bullpen is becoming much more likely.
2022 Outlook: With Castillo’s Tommy John surgery happening last June, he should be on a rehab mound over the summer, and with a healthy return, could throw in a few games. The goal will mostly be to make a full rehab this year, leading into a productive 2022-2023 offseason.
ETA: 2026
Previous Rank: 25
35. Andrew Baker, RHP
Age: 22
Acquired: Drafted in the 11th Round of the 2021 Draft by the Phillies
B/T: R/R
H/W: 6’3” 190lbs
2021 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | GS | W-L | IP | ERA | H/9 | HR/9 | BB% | K% |
| PHI (CPX) | 2 | 0 | 0-0 | 2.0 | 0.00 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 57.1% |
| CLW (A-) | 7 | 1 | 1-2 | 10.0 | 11.70 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 32.1% | 30.2% |
Role: High Leverage Reliever
Risk: High – Baker walked 12 batters per 9 in his pro debut, including 6 in a row in one appearance. He can run his fastball up to 99 and pairs it with a bat missing breaking ball.
Summary: The way the Phillies draft broke this year, Baker was the only Day 3 player they were able to go overslot for. Supposedly up to 96 in college, Baker was up to 99 in pro ball. It is the high spin, rising movement fastball the Phillies have valued of late. He does have a distinct two seam fastball, two breaking balls that look to blend together, and a changeup he threw 3 of. In a bullpen role it is likely to be simplified to the fastballs and a breaking ball. Baker has historically had control problems, and they seemed to crop up in spurts (he walked 10 batters and hit two across back to back appearances). He was able to get his delivery back under control to end the year on a strong note. Baker has a lot of the characteristics the Phillies have valued under Brian Barber, but in a more high octane package reminiscent of Ken Giles. If he can get his control in line, he could be a late inning relief arm.
2022 Outlook: Depending on how things shake out this spring, Baker could return to Clearwater or could be pushed aggressively to Jersey Shore. With his high end stuff and shaky command, his path is likely to be a bit of a slog until things click, at which point he could move quickly.
ETA: 2024
Previous Rank: N/A
34. Andrew Schultz, RHP
Age: 24
Acquired: Drafted in the 6th Round of the 2019 Draft by the Phillies
B/T: R/R
H/W: 6’4” 195lbs
2021 Stats: Did Not Pitch in 2021
Role: High Leverage Reliever
Risk: High – Schultz is coming back from Tommy John surgery, but pitched in Instructs so we do know the velocity has returned. His control issues were the problem before the injury, and will be the biggest hurdle for him to overcome now.
Summary: Schultz was a bit of a project when the Phillies drafted him. In his debut he struggled to throw strikes, but he ran his fastball up to 100. He had Tommy John in the summer of 2020 and spent 2021 rehabbing. In his return during Instructs he showed a short arm action and electric arm. His fastball was back at 97-99 and his slider was sharp. Control has been a problem back to college, and if he can throw enough strikes he could be a back of the bullpen reliever.
2022 Outlook: Schultz pitched in Instructs after a normal Tommy John recovery timeline, so he should have a normal offseason and then likely will start in high-A Jersey Shore. If his control takes a step forward he could move quickly, but it is more likely a consolidation year with him reaching Reading.
ETA: 2023
Previous Rank: 47
33. Jean Cabrera, RHP
Age: 20
Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in July 2019 by the Phillies
B/T: R/R
H/W: 6’0” 145lbs
2021 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | GS | W-L | IP | ERA | H/9 | HR/9 | BB% | K% |
| PHI (DSL) | 13 | 13 | 3-2 | 52.2 | 1.54 | 5.8 | 0.2 | 5.1% | 31.1% |
Role: #4 Starter
Risk: Extreme – Cabrera is a late signing international pitcher who is 20 years old with no stateside pitching experience. He has an interesting skill set and upside, but is still more of a mystery and a project.
Summary: If you followed DSL box scores this season, then Jean Cabrera’s numbers really stood out, but it was truly a surprise to everyone when the Phillies awarded him the Paul Owens Award for pitching this season. However, Cabrera isn’t just a collection of good stats as a 19 year old in the DSL. He has a projectable frame and was up to 97 with his fastball, sitting more in the 93-94 range. He has a slider and changeup, both of which need work. He is very much a project, and one that is a bit older than most of his peers, but he has the strike throwing ability and arm strength to be intriguing. Given that foundation, the Phillies could possibly push him aggressively to Clearwater, instead of waiting for the FCL season to begin.
2022 Outlook: Given his age and pitch control, the Phillies could be aggressive with Cabrera’s development in 2022. Whether they aggressively push him or not, the 2022 season will be about improving his secondary pitches and having success against more advanced hitters.
ETA: 2025
Previous Rank: UR
32. Eduar Segovia, RHP
Age: 21
Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent in May 2018 by the Phillies
B/T: R/R
H/W: 6’0” 180lbs
2021 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | GS | W-L | IP | ERA | H/9 | HR/9 | BB% | K% |
| CLW (A-) | 17 | 10 | 0-3 | 50.0 | 5.58 | 7.2 | 1.4 | 13.7% | 29.6% |
Role: 7th/8th Inning Reliever
Risk: High – Segovia is still a starter with no experience above low-A, and his season ended on a bad looking shoulder injury. He should be back healthy to start 2022, but he is far away.
Summary: Segovia is a short right handed pitcher without a bunch of physical projection left. He bumped his velocity up to touching 96-97 during the pandemic shortened year, and was able to keep those gains. His slider has plus projection, and he is still looking for a consistent changeup, but threw some sort of split change at times over the season. Like many pitchers in low-A this year, he struggled to throw strikes, and was at times hurt by the ABS system. His season ended when his shoulder seemed to dislocate on a pitch, forcing him to have surgery. He is expected to be back healthy to open 2022. Segovia’s build, coupled with the inconsistent changeup, means he looks like a reliever long term. For now, he should stay in a rotation to find consistency, but like many of the Phillies young arms, the impending Rule 5 draft means the Phillies may need to make some long term decisions about his role soon.
2022 Outlook: While Segovia’s final position looks more and more likely to be in relief, the Phillies do not need to make that move now. Segovia should be in a starting role for the BlueClaws to open the season.
ETA: 2024
Previous Rank: 24
31. Jose Pena Jr., RHP
Age: 18
Acquired: Drafted in the 6th Round of the 2021 Draft by the Phillies
B/T: R/R
H/W: 6’3” 200lbs
2021 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | GS | W-L | IP | ERA | H/9 | HR/9 | BB% | K% |
| PHI (CPX) | 4 | 0 | 1-0 | 2.2 | 13.50 | 10.1 | 0.0 | 21.4% | 35.7% |
Role: 7th/8th inning reliever
Risk: Extreme – Pena is a high school arm with good arm strength and a breaking ball to dream on, but he already has a lot of reliever warning signs, which leaves him without much margin for error.
Summary: Pena is the high school version of many of the college pitchers the Phillies have brought in over the last two drafts. He does not have a lot of physical projection left, but he was up to 95 in the data set I had, but can reach higher than that with his fastball. The pitch itself has a good amount of spin and the flat angle of attack the Phillies have valued. His curveball has good spin and a lot of drop. He has a changeup, but it lags the first two pitches. Given that he is 18, there is little harm to developing him as a starting pitcher, but if the fastball and curveball click he could move faster in the bullpen. He had some control issues as an amatuer and in the pros ,but a 2.2 inning sample size with all 3 walks in one game is barely a sample.The Phillies have had success getting more velocity out of arms that lack stereotypical projectability, so he is well worth keeping an eye on.
2022 Outlook: The Phillies likely give Pena the full year in the Clearwater rotation to see if he can start and to get some developmental innings under his belt.
ETA: 2025
Previous Rank: N/A