2015 Top 50 Phillies Prospects: 1-10

The past year has seen a lot of changes in the Phillies system; as the major league club transitions into a rebuilding phase, more and more emphasis is being put on the farm system.  A criticism often levied against the Phillies system is that it lacks impact and near term help.  As for the impact, I … Read more

Baseball America Releases Their Top 10 Phillies Prospects List

Both Zach Eflin and Tom Windle were not eligible for the list because the Jimmy Rollins trade has not been officially finished.  Also due to BA’s publishing deadlines neither will appear in the book on the Phillies list, and will be listed for the Padres and Dodgers respectively. Today Baseball America released their Phillies Top 10 prospect … Read more

J.P. Crawford Named #2 Prospect in Florida State League

J.P. Crawford has placed second on another Baseball America League Top 20, this time finishing #2 behind Pirates RHP Tyler Glasnow.  Crawford was promoted to the Threshers in July and went on to hit .275/.352/.407 with 8 HRs, 10 SBs, and 28 walks to 37 strikeouts.  It was a very impressive run for the 19 … Read more

The Past Week 10-3-2014

The Past Week: BA League Top 20s: Aaron Brown #18 Prospect in NYPL, J.P. Crawford #2 Prospect in SAL, Jesmuel Valentin #12 Prospect in MWL Adam Morgan Assigned to Arizona Fall League Minor League Affiliate Recaps (Clearwater and Reading) – Phillies Minor Thoughts Florida Instructional League Recaps (9/27, 10/1, 10/2) – Jim Peyton (Phuture Phillies) … Read more

Post Season Minor League Mailbag

I have been slowly build mailbag questions for a while waiting until I had enough to answer them all, and here it is.  Like always there great questions here.

Christopher Smith (@shindaga7225): Next prospect to make an impact that has not been placed on 40 man roster ie Franco?

Dan (@Sixers_Fan1243): Chance Nola pitches for Philly next year?

I have to go with Aaron Nola as the answer to the first question.  Jesse Biddle will get his 40 man spot this offseason, but Nola has more impact long term.  In an ideal world Nola has 100% chance to arrive in Philadelphia in 2015.  He was the most advanced starting pitcher in the 2015 draft.  The reason this is not 100% chance is that there is a small chance he won’t be ready, but a slightly larger chance he gets hurt.  Nola is a freak in his delivery it works really well for him, but pitchers get hurt for entirely mysterious reasons.  But if Nola stays healthy next year there is probably a 90%+ chance he ends up in the majors at some point.  If everything goes fairly well I would expect him to debut at some point between the middle of June and the All-Star game.

If you are looking for the sleeper guy, Crawford should be in AA next year and the jump over AAA is always in play.  If Crawford tears it up in AA and shows above average defense, there is a chance he could make the majors in 2015 if there is a major Rollins injury or trade.  It is much more likely he doesn’t get there until 2016, but he is so advanced he could make the majors early and then develop there.

Read more

J.P. Crawford Named #2 Prospect in South Atlantic League

Baseball America continues their League Top 20s with the South Atlantic League.  The only member of the Blueclaws to make the list is shortstop and 2013 first round pick J.P. Crawford who came in at #2 on the list, just behind Nationals RHP Lucas Giolito.  BA notes that Crawford is the rare shortstop that combines … Read more

2014 Clearwater Threshers Recap: Interview with Jim Peyton

Before we jump into talking about players why don’t you introduce yourself to those that haven’t already read your work and where people can find your writing?

I am Jim Peyton.  I started reporting for Phuture Phillies in Spring Training 2014.  I began by covering the players invited to the major league camp.  I attended a few of the games at Bright House but spent most of my time at the Carpenter Complex following the young prospects.  I continued to follow them through XST while covering the Threshers.  When XST broke, I followed the GCL and the draft picks who were assigned to the Clearwater teams.  I am just now beginning to attend the Instructional League games.  In fact, after sending this to Matt, I’ll be heading over to watch an intra-squad game.

Read more

2014 Clearwater Threshers Recap

Team: Clearwater Threshers
Record: 49-89
Standing: 6th in North Division (First Half), 4th in North Division (Second Half)

Top Hitter Stat Lines:

Peter Lavin – 54 G – 6 HR – 5 SB – .292/.344/.450
J.P. Crawford – 63 G – 8 HR – 10 SB – .275/.352/.407
Roman Quinn – 88 G – 7 HR – 32 SB – .257/.343/.370
Brian Pointer – 123 G – 15 HR – 16 SB – .246/.336/.419

Top Pitcher Stat Lines:

Aaron Nola – 31.1 IP – 3.16 ERA – 5 BB – 30 K
Cody Forsythe – 35.2 IP – 2.27 ERA – 11 BB – 47 K
Mark Leiter Jr. – 64.2 IP – 4.31 ERA – 15 BB – 56 K
Miguel Nunez – 122.1 IP – 4.49 ERA – 44 BB – 95 K

Read more

Phillies All-Org Team

We will be spending all offseason talking about prospects, so this is the moment to honor those that put up the best statistical years for the organization.  This list was put together with input from the staff here.

Catcher:
Andrew Knapp (.290/.354/.438 5 HR LKW)

It was a rough start for Knapp in his comeback from Tommy John surgery, but the former second round pick bounced back with a very good season in the South Atlantic League.

Read more