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Phillies outfielders on the farm

ON THE FARM The Phillies could really use a homegrown bat or two ready to step in for the vacancies created by the trades of Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence. But they also could have used a bat to step in for Jayson Werth, and neither John Mayberry Jr. nor Domonic Brown has done anything to secure a job.

Leandro Castro hit .287 with 10 home runs and 35 doubles in 133 games at Double A Reading. (Michael Bryant/Staff file photo)
Leandro Castro hit .287 with 10 home runs and 35 doubles in 133 games at Double A Reading. (Michael Bryant/Staff file photo)Read more

ON THE FARM

The Phillies could really use a homegrown bat or two ready to step in for the vacancies created by the trades of Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence. But they also could have used a bat to step in for Jayson Werth, and neither John Mayberry Jr. nor Domonic Brown has done anything to secure a job.

The Phils have outfield prospects, but not ready to compete for major league jobs.

Leandro Castro, 23, heads the list. He hit .287 with 10 home runs and 35 doubles in 133 games at Double A Reading.

Tyson Gillies and Zach Collier are interesting names, but both have had their progress as prospects slowed by injuries and suspensions. Gillies, 23, hit .304 with a .369 OBP in 68 games and has the athletic ability to play a major league centerfield; but he berated a bus driver this summer in his latest off-the-field issue. Collier, 22, is a former first-round pick who hasn't made it beyond "A'' ball, mostly because of injuries. He was suspended for the first 50 games of the 2012 season for failing a drug test, but it's excusable since the drug was Adderrall, taken to combat ADHD.

Jiwan James, 23, strikes out too much (115 times in 111 games at Double A) and doesn't offer enough power (six home runs in 416 plate appearances). Nineteen-year-old Larry Greene, the Phils' first-round pick in 2011, is a ways away after playing in his first 70 pro games at short-season Williamsport.

FREE AGENTS

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said he wasn't too impressed by the list of outfield free agents "at first blush," but there sure isn't a lack of options. While the list might be top-heavy, there are at least a dozen capable outfield bodies looking for work this winter.

The head of the class is former AL MVP Josh Hamilton. But the fact that he'll be looking for a career-defining contract (think Jayson Werth) and brings a lot of baggage makes him an unlikely fit.

Ditto Michael Bourn. While the Phils love his glove and top-of-the-order speed, his agent is Scott Boras, so some other team will overpay. And Bourn's production numbers aren't a whole lot better (if better at all) than Jimmy Rollins'.

B.J. Upton is another sexy name, but that's based more on potential people have been talking about for a half-dozen years rather than on-the-field production. Switch-hitting Nick Swisher is intriguing for his power and on-base skills, but he could also be looking for a contract near or in excess of $100 million.

Reuniting on a 1-year deal with Shane Victorino after a down year could work, since the Phils at least know he'll bring a dependable glove to centerfield. But the guess here is having been there and done that, they'll look elsewhere first.

Others: Angel Pagan, Delmon Young, Cody Ross, Jonny Gomes and Torii Hunter. Pagan might be the name to keep an eye on, as the Phils are prioritizing centerfield. Ichiro's age (39 on Oct. 22) and declining skills don't make him a fit, but he's an interesting name for no other reason than the fact that Pat Gillick originally signed him.

- Ryan Lawrence