These Phillies prospects bear watching

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Eight Grapefruit League games into March, the Phillies are just now getting into evaluation mode. At some point in the next few days, the club is expected to announce its first round of cuts, dispatching several of the younger players in camp back to the minor leagues, where they will rejoin their peers in developmental mode.

With 23 days until Opening Day, the focus will shift toward preparing the players who have a legitimate shot at contributing in the majors. The starters will get more innings. The relievers will pitch more frequently. And the hitters will continue working their way toward manager Charlie Manuel's prescription of 70 to 80 plate appearances.

Here is a look at some of the younger players who soon will be headed back to the minor league side, and the impressions they have made during their time with the big leaguers:

Domonic Brown, outfield: The Phillies could keep him around a little longer, but they have a decent-sized group of veteran outfielders who need at-bats, including likely Opening Day reserves Greg Dobbs, Ross Gload and Ben Francisco. Whatever happens, the 22-year-old corner outfielder has lived up to his billing as the organization's top prospect, going 7-for-18 with three strikeouts, four RBI and a pair of doubles. He also has displayed a rocket arm in rightfield and an attitude that has drawn raves from the team's veterans. The Phillies will look for him to continue to develop his route-running and his power.

Freddy Galvis, shortstop: Seldom does a major league club have enough confidence in a 20-year-old prospect to make him the first guy off the bench at shortstop, which the Phillies did on Thursday against the Tigers. Galvis' glove is one of the best in the system. Now, they'll watch for progress at the plate (Galvis is 2-for-11 in Grapefruit League play).

Tyson Gillies, outfield: It is easy to see why the Phillies liked Gillies enough to insist on him being part of the Cliff Lee trade. The 21-year-old centerfielder has plenty of speed and a nonstop motor - he made a sprinting, leaping grab of a deep Ryan Howard fly ball this week in Dunedin in batting practice. Gillies has reached base in four of his nine plate appearances, including a home run. As with most young hitters, the Phillies will watch his development against off-speed pitches.

Phillippe Aumont, righthander: After a rough debut against Florida State in which he acknowledged feeling some pressure as another member of that Cliff Lee deal, Aumont pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings in his second outing, although he allowed two hits, walked one, and did not strike anybody out. He'll head to minor league camp and continue to work on implementing some mechancial changes the Phillies think will help his control.

Jesus Sanchez, righthander: His Grapefruit League action has been limited to one scoreless inning thus far, but 2010 will be a big year for this converted catcher, who had a strong first season as a pitcher last year at Lakewood and has impressed coaches with his seamless transition to the mound.

The Phillies' split-squad games at Detroit and Tampa Bay were rained out yesterday . . . Lefthander J.A. Happ will make his third start of the spring today against Minnesota. Righthander Kyle Kendrick will pitch tomorrow against Baltimore, followed by righthander Roy Halladay on Monday vs. Pittsburgh. *

For more Phillies coverage and opinion, read David Murphy's blog, High Cheese, at http://go.philly.com/highcheese.