The Phillies system is not particularly deep or great. This part of the list would ideally be 5-10 spots deeper, but it isn’t. What it is, is some upper minors players right on the cusp of contributing, but not good enough to knock down the door. The rest is sort of the reality of young risky players in development, as some of the higher upside players from last year’s list slip down due to disappointing 2023 seasons, and a new crop of interesting young players joins them.
All ages are as of opening day (March 28)
23. Emaarion Boyd, OF
Age: 20
Acquired: Drafted in the 11th Round of the 2022 Draft by the Phillies
B/T: R/R
H/W: 5’11” 177lbs
2023 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | PA | HR | SB | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| CLW (A-) | 91 | 403 | 1 | 56 | 8.7% | 14.9% | .262 | .360 | .324 |
Role: Second Division Regular/4th Outfielder
Risk: Extreme – Boyd was one of the lightest hitting batters in the Phillies org in 2023. The Phillies were also already starting to shuffle him off to an outfield corner, despite his speed, and his bat will not play in a corner.
Summary: There isn’t a lot of deception or surprise to Emaarion Boyd as a baseball player. He is skinny and thin framed, and he posted the second lowest average exit velocity among measured hitters in the Phillies system. He had a 90th exit velocity of 98.6mph, and his average exit velocity increased over the season, so there is a chance he does have a bit more impact coming. However, he doesn’t have the body where he is going to add a lot of usable strength. He got the ball off the ground more than Justin Crawford, but his ground ball rate of 60% was among minor league leaders, and he only had 14 extra base hits. At the plate, he isn’t a hacker (47.6% swing rate) and he rarely missed fastballs, but he consequently ran up high whiff rates on changeups and sliders. His gaudy on base percentage was further bolstered by being hit by 22 pitches. Boyd has plus plus speed, but he doesn’t fully use it on the bases or in the field. He stole 56 bases, but he was caught 18 times. He mostly played left field for Clearwater while sharing a team with Crawford, and there are some worries that he won’t be a center fielder defensively due to his route running. Overall, there isn’t enough in his bat to play left field unless he is going to be Juan Pierre offensively. If he can play center and weaponize his speed on the bases, there is a starting outcome potential for him.
2024 Outlook: Boyd likely moves to Jersey Shore where he likely still won’t get center field reps, but he might be able to show the route running acumen that indicates he would be able to play there if not sharing a roster with a better center field prospect. The biggest watch point will be whether he added any strength this offseason and if it translates to more impact at the plate.
ETA: 2028
Previous Rank: 13
24. Simon Muzziotti, OF
Age: 25
Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent by the Phillies on July 5, 2016
B/T: L/L
H/W: 6’0”175lbs
2023 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | PA | HR | SB | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| LHV (AAA) | 124 | 524 | 7 | 26 | 8.6% | 15.5% | .296 | .358 | .404 |
Role: 5th Outfielder
Risk: Low – Muzziotti has had success at AAA, but the 2023 AAA run environment was historically high. He does not have enough power and impact to play the outfield corner position he has been playing more often.
Summary: Muzziotti had missed large portions of the last three seasons due to the pandemic, visa issues, and then injuries, making his 124 games played (plus 44 more in Venezuelan Winter Leagues at the time of this writing) not just a new high since 2019, but also a career high. He had been making incremental growth year over year, despite the limited playing time, hitting the ball harder and making better swing decisions. That all looked to be coming together to start 2023 as he hit .354/.408/.479 through the end of June. He then would go on to hit .227/.299/.315 the rest of the season. He hit the ball just as hard over the second half and slightly more in the air, but not dramatically so, so much of it was the BABIP gods leaning the wrong way. Overall, Muzziotti makes ok contact. His average exit velocity was 86.1 mph which was towards the bottom of the org, but with a 90th percentile outcome of 102.8mph which was much more mid pack (for example Scott Kingery averaged 87.7 mph with a 90th percentile of 102.8 mph), so there is some more power than he always shows. He doesn’t tap heavily into that power and the swing has its share of ground balls, but is mostly gap to gap line drives. He swings often, and he doesn’t put up minuscule miss rates, but not egregious ones either. It is a fine second division regular hitting profile for a center fielder. The Phillies have telegraphed that they don’t really believe in his glove in center. Given that they have prioritized Johan Rojas and Cristian Pache there and even moved Brandon Marsh to a corner, they might be harsh judges. Muzziotti’s bat does not play as a regular in left field, and he doesn’t have the pop or platoon outcomes that a good 4th outfielder might. That sort of leaves him as a major league ready last man on a bench who can play all three outfield positions and possibly give you a professional at bat.
2024 Outlook: Muzziotti does not have a pathway to the majors right now for the Phillies and if he makes his way to the season without being traded, he will go to AAA where he will wait for a trade or opportunity.
ETA: 2022
Previous Rank: 8
25. Enrique Segura, RHP
Age: 19
Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent by the Phillies on January 15, 2022
B/T: R/R
H/W: 6’3” 175lbs
2023 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | GS | W-L | IP | ERA | H/9 | HR/9 | BB% | K% |
| PHI (FCL) | 11 | 10 | 1-3 | 36.2 | 6.87 | 7.9 | 1.0 | 17.1% | 19.4% |
Role: #3/#4 Starter
Risk: Extreme – It was a rough season in the Florida Complex league for Segura, especially when it came to his control. He did pitch the full season at age 18, so there is time for him to get back on the right path.
Summary: Segura came into the season with a bunch of hype, especially after he touched 97 in the spring. His actual season fell sort of flat as he struggled with his control and rarely worked deep into games. Unfortunately, he is the one complex level pitcher I do not have data or video on (he somehow made all 11 appearances on the road), but the second hand reports are that the stuff was the same as it had been. Segura’s fastball will mostly sit low 90s, up to 95 and above. He will throw a changeup and a pair of breaking balls. His slider should be a good pitch for him in the long term. He gets some delivery comps to Aaron Nola, and while the stuff is not quite the same, there are some parallels in how the arsenal might play. This season was a step back for Segura, but it was also because of the challenge they set out for him.
2024 Outlook: Segura is only 19 years old and logged 36.2 innings in games last season. It would not be surprising if he repeated the Extended Spring Training to FCL path again. He does have good enough stuff that some steps forward could force a move to the Florida State League at some point.
ETA: 2028
Previous Rank: 15
26. Avery Owusu-Asiedu, OF
Age: 20
Acquired: Drafted in the 9th Round of the 2023 Draft by the Phillies
B/T: R/R
H/W: 6’4” 230lbs
2023 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | PA | HR | SB | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| PHI (FCL) | 13 | 55 | 1 | 2 | 12.7% | 18.2% | .217 | .327 | .348 |
Role: Average Regular
Risk: Extreme – Owusu-Asiedu went to a non-power conference school where he struck out at a high rate, and then he struggled to hit for power in his small sample size of pro ball and summer wood bat league this year. He also is very young for a college junior and has enormous tools.
Summary: Under Brian Barber, the Phillies in the draft have been fine taking risks and have rarely used late day 2 picks to just save slot money. Owusu-Asiedu is a real embodiment of that sort of philosophy. The Canadian outfielder spent 3 years at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville in the Ohio Valley Conference. He performed well as a freshman and sophomore, but after a big summer season in the Appalachian League, he had a monster junior year hitting .293/.396/.590 with 15 home runs and 24 stolen bases in 53 games. He had a decent amount of strikeouts in college, but it was not terrible in his brief appearance in pro ball. This all comes in a lanky 6’4” package with at least plus and likely plus plus speed, when underway, with plus raw power. He played center field in college and with the Phillies, and assuming he doesn’t really thicken up, he should stick there long term. Owusu-Asiedu is also only 20 so he is surprisingly young for a player with 3 years of college experience. He is far from a sure thing to become a major league contributor, but there are very few players in the system that have his upside if the pieces all come together.
2024 Outlook: Given his lack of high level experience and the Phillies penchant for grouping their draft classes, Owusu-Asiedu likely starts the season in Clearwater. The Phillies have not been afraid to promote players who excel, but it may be a bit of a learning curve here.
ETA: 2027
Previous Rank: N/A
27. Nikau Pouaka-Grego
Age: 19
Acquired: Signed as an International Free Agent by the Phillies on January 17, 2022
B/T: L/R
H/W: 5’9” 175lbs
2023 Stats: Nikau Pouaka-Grego did not play in a game in 2023
Role: Everyday Infielder, Probably at Second
Risk: Extreme – Pouaka-Grego ended up missing all year to a knee injury and is not playing in the ABL either. All of the questions about his future power potential remain.
Summary: Since he missed the full season, there are no games to evaluate Pouaka-Grego on this year. He has reportedly progressed in his rehab and was on the field doing drills by the fall. Pouaka-Grego has a great feel for bat to ball and surprising power. His final defensive position is still a question, with second base the most likely, but not a certainty. He should be healthy to open the 2024 season, and will only be 19.
2024 Outlook: Pouaka-Grego will join a crowded mix looking to open on the 2024 Threshers, but he should spend much of his season there.
ETA: 2027
Previous Rank: 16
28. Kehden Hettiger, C
Age: 19
Acquired: Drafted in the 11th Round of the 2023 Draft by the Phillies
B/T: S/R
H/W: 6’2” 205lbs
2023 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | PA | HR | SB | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| PHI (FCL) | 10 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 22.2% | 25.9% | .190 | .370 | .238 |
Role: Average Regular
Risk: Extreme – Hettiger is a high school catcher, one of the riskiest archetypes, and has some swing and hit tool concerns. He looks like he should stick at the position and has enough power to have offensive upside.
Summary: Hettiger is a solidly built switch hitting high school catcher from California. He has some length to his swing, but good bat speed from both sides of the plate. His strength will lead to solid power, and he has a good approach at the plate. Behind the plate, he didn’t look terrible, but he is already pretty large, and receiving and blocking are things he has to work on. He has a plus arm, popping sub 2.00 pop times in the FCL. Hettiger was on the older side for a high schooler and his body is mature already. The Phillies gave him a 5th round level bonus, and he has the talent of a mid Day 2 pick. He could be an everyday catcher, but he is going to need to hit at every level and get his defense at least to average, and with framing being deemphasized by automated strike zones his arm will be an asset.
2024 Outlook: The Phillies have a decent number of catchers between Extended Spring Training and Florida Complex League. Hettiger may end up splitting time between both levels as the Phillies shuffle players up and down between the two levels.
ETA: 2028
Previous Rank: N/A
29. McKinley Moore, RHP
Age: 25
Acquired: Traded by the White Sox to the Phillies for Adam Haseley on March 29, 2022
B/T: R/R
H/W: 6’6” 225lbs
2023 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | GS | W-L | IP | ERA | H/9 | HR/9 | BB% | K% |
| CLW (A-) | 1 | 0 | 0-0 | 1.0 | 0.00 | 9.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 75.0% |
| REA (AA) | 7 | 0 | 0-0 | 6.1 | 1.42 | 8.5 | 0.0 | 17.2% | 41.4% |
| LHV (AAA) | 12 | 0 | 2-1 | 13.0 | 1.38 | 3.5 | 0.0 | 29.3% | 37.9% |
| PHI (MLB) | 3 | 0 | 0-0 | 3.1 | 18.90 | 13.5 | 2.7 | 23.8% | 9.5% |
Role: Middle Reliever
Risk: Medium – Moore had a poor cameo in the majors, missed time multiple times due to injuries, and had poor control in the minors. However, he has major league stuff and is on the doorstep of the majors.
Summary: The Phillies opted to not protect Moore in the 2022 Rule 5 draft, and then he had a bit of a breakout camp. The Phillies added him to the 40 man roster early in the year, and he made 3 appearances in the majors in April. Moore is a big righty, who releases from a higher slot and only gets average extension, which doesn’t help an only ok fastball shape. However, he averages about 97 on the pitch and has gotten up to 100 in the past. He throws a high 80s sweeper that is in the same velocity band as Orion Kerkering but without the horizontal break that Kerkering does (about 5 inches less). Moore’s best pitch has been a low 90s split changeup that he was able to get above average whiff rates on in the minors. All of Moore’s pitches get a good number of swings and misses, but none are plus plus weapons to lean on. Moore will need to throw more strikes, a thing he has struggled to do throughout his career.
2024 Outlook: Moore will go to Spring Training with an outside shot to make the major league roster, but will likely head to AAA to be up and down relief depth.
ETA: 2023
Previous Rank: UR
30. Andrew Baker, RHP
Age: 24
Acquired: Drafted in the 11th Round of the 2021 Draft by the Phillies
B/T: R/R
H/W: 6’1” 190lbs
2023 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | GS | W-L | IP | ERA | H/9 | HR/9 | BB% | K% |
| REA (AA) | 41 | 0 | 0-6 | 41.0 | 8.12 | 7.7 | 1.3 | 22.9% | 30.5% |
| SCO (AFL) | 7 | 0 | 0-0 | 7.0 | 0.00 | 2.6 | 0.0 | 20.7% | 44.8% |
Role: High Leverage Reliever
Risk: High – Baker will flash the ability to throw strikes for a few games or weeks, but has consistently reverted to walking everyone. His stuff is good enough to get high leverage outs, if he can ever locate it.
Summary: At the end of 2022, Baker looked to be putting the pieces together to throw strikes more consistently. He struggled to open 2023, eventually being sent back down to Florida to rework some things. That helped for a period of time, but issues once again popped in the last few weeks of the season. He was a mixed bag in the Arizona Fall League where he walked 6 in 7 innings, but he also only allowed 2 hits and struck out 13. Baker’s fastball will sit 96 to 99 and can touch 100-101, and he will show good life on it. His primary pitch for a while has been a power curveball in the mid 80s that he can use for chases. He has worked on a cutter/slider that has good potential and reportedly also has toyed with a splitter. The fastball and curveball are good enough on their own to get major league batters out, but the added weapons should help him keep batters off balance when his command isn’t there. The first step will be just getting the control to a place where he is consistently throwing strikes. If it only partially improves, Baker might just be an infuriating up and down reliever, but there is a chance he is a late inning weapon if he can put it all together.
2024 Outlook: Baker may return to Reading to open the season, due to the AAA bullpen being full of the 40 man relievers. At some point, he likely forces his way there. He is Rule 5 eligible after the season, so if he puts it all together there is no downside to the Phillies calling him up late in the year.
ETA: 2025
Previous Rank: 10
31. Michael Mercado, RHP
Age: 24
Acquired: Traded by the Rays to the Phillies for Adam Leverett on November 6, 2023
B/T: R/R
H/W: 6’4” 205lbs
2023 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | GS | W-L | IP | ERA | H/9 | HR/9 | BB% | K% |
| MON (AA) | 24 | 0 | 2-2 | 22.1 | 4.43 | 5.2 | 1.2 | 14.6% | 40.6% |
| DUR (AAA) | 28 | 2 | 2-1 | 39.2 | 4.99 | 7.9 | 2.0 | 12.2% | 32.6% |
Role: Middle Reliever
Risk: Medium – Mercado’s ERA wasn’t great in the high octane AAA environment, but he struck out 12.7 per 9 with a bad, but not disastrous, walk rate at the highest level of the minors.
Summary: Mercado was a projectable high school starting pitcher when the Rays gave him a large overslot bonus in the 2017 draft. Injuries and the pandemic limited his time on the mound, and in 2023 the Rays moved him full time to the bullpen. His stuff ticked up, but the Rays didn’t have room on their 40 man roster to protect him from minor league free agency, so they traded him to the Phillies. By the end of the season, Mercado was throwing a fastball, cutter, and curveball, having scrapped his changeup from when he was a starter. His fastball averaged 96 mph and peaked around 98, and has solid but not outlier movement. His cutter is in the high 80s, and he has a bigger power curveball in the low 80s. His curveball is his big swing and miss pitch, especially vs RHBs, but it is still effective against lefties. Overall he showed even platoon splits, which will serve him well in middle relief, especially since he commonly went multiple innings towards the end of the year. Overall, he struggles enough with control and his fastball is hittable enough that he will likely not work in high leverage, but he could carve out a Connor Brogdon-esque 6th-7th inning role.
2024 Outlook: Mercado will likely get an outside chance to make the Phillies out of Spring Training, but it is more likely he goes to Lehigh Valley and is part of the Phillies 40 man reliever depth. He could appear with the major league club in an up and down role.
ETA: 2024
Previous Rank: N/A
32. Matt Kroon 3B/OF
Age: 27
Acquired: Drafted in the 18th Round of the 2018 Draft by the Phillies
B/T: R/R
H/W: 6’0” 195lbs
2023 Stats:
| Team (LVL) | G | PA | HR | SB | BB% | K% | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| JS (A+) | 3 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 16.7% | 25.0% | .200 | .333 | .400 |
| REA (AA) | 79 | 344 | 8 | 22 | 9.6% | 19.2% | .319 | .387 | .493 |
| LHV (AAA) | 15 | 76 | 3 | 4 | 14.5% | 19.7% | .381 | .467 | .698 |
| SCO (AFL) | 18 | 73 | 1 | 5 | 9.6% | 28.0% | .262 | .356 | .344 |
Role: Multi Positional RH Bench Bat
Risk: High – Kroon is now 27 and has just 15 games in AAA. He has positional flexibility and some untapped power, but is still very unproven for a player of his age.
Summary: Kroon had the start of a breakout in 2021, and then he tore his ACL in the second game of the 2022 season. He came back healthy to start the 2023 season, but struggled (.255/.323/.400) to start with Reading, but was on fire the rest of the season (.339/.413/.548), though he missed two weeks in the middle of August due to injury. Defensively, he played primarily center field and third base, but mixed in both outfield corners. Third was a bit rough at times, and he primarily should play the corner outfield, but he has good enough speed he can play center in a pinch. At the plate, Kroon hits hard line drives all over the field and could actually stand to elevate it more, as he both did not take advantage of Reading’s home park and posted a relatively low HR/FB rate given how hard he hits the ball. I don’t have his full season batted ball data, but between AAA and Arizona Fall League Kroon had 45 balls in play with an average exit velocity of 88.7 mph and a 90th percentile exit velocity of 106.7, with the 90th percentile exit velocity 3rd among Phillies minor leaguers in 2023 (only Clearwater and Lehigh Valley were measured). His median launch angle of 9 degrees shows part of the problem with getting to that power. His approach and contact abilities are solid, but not good enough to be a driving skill. It is a narrow edge between major leaguer and AAAA player, and Kroon is not as good as Matt Vierling, but has more thump in his bat than Dalton Guthrie, though less use of his power than Weston Wilson.
2024 Outlook: Kroon will go to AAA where he will be competing with the back of the 40 man roster to be an injury or performance call up.
ETA: 2024
Previous Rank: 50