A couple of weeks ago the Phillies acquired the first of two PTBNL in a trade that sent Roberto Hernandez to the Dodgers, in second baseman Jesmuel Valentin. Today they completed the trade by acquiring 19 year old RHP Victor Arano. Arano is already physically mature for a 19 year old (6’2″ 200lbs) so it is doubtful he will add much velocity in the future, but the fastball already sits 90-92 touching as high as 94. The breaking ball is slowly moving from a curveball to a slider, but is in a slurvy stage. The changeup is a work in progress still. Arano shows advanced feel for pitching for his age, and has shown good control of his pitches with a 2.09 BB/9 this year. It isn’t a front of the rotation profile, but if it comes together he could be a #3 starter, but more likely he is an innings eating #4. Baseball America rated the #29 prospect in the Dodgers system, but Baseball Prospectus rated him #10, he should slot into the 10-20 range in the Phillies system.
Overall the return for Hernandez was pretty incredible for the Phillies. As a waiver deal they had little leverage and walked out with two players I would have been happy getting straight up for Hernandez. Both players add good depth to a system that has started to come on very strong in the low minors. When the Phillies acquired Valentin, Ruben pointed to a scout of liked the two players on the list the Dodgers gave the Phillies, continuing a trend of the org giving its scouts more credit and power, and so far it has worked out well.