Top 25 Phillies Prospects
Matt Gelb and Bob Brookover are here to provide another look into the future with an updated version of the Top 25 minor-league prospects.
By Bob Brookover and Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writers | Produced by Matt Mullin, Philly.com Sports Editor
Putting together a top 25 prospect list for a big-league baseball organization is like trying to predict who will be the next president four years before the election.
It’s guess-work at best.
“I don’t remember anybody having Darin Ruf on their list last year,” said Joe Jordan, the Phillies’ director of player development.
And still we try.
With just 10 days left before pitchers and catchers go through their first workout at the Phillies’ spring-training complex in Clearwater, Fla., the who is entering his second season in his player development role, had nothing to do with the compilation of the list, but he did agree to comment on each player on our list.
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The Philadelphia native has remained on a linear path to the big leagues since the Phillies made him their first-round draft choice (27th overall) in 2010.
Jordan’s comments: “He had a really good year developmentally. The numbers were really good, but he also got better with his fastball command, his curveball command and with his change-up. It’s all there. We just have to keep him healthy.”
The Phillies gave up Hunter Pence to get Joseph, minor-league pitcher Seth Rosin and outfielder Nate Schierholtz. Joseph, 21, is the player who has a chance to make the trade worthwhile.
Jordan’s comments: “There’s a lot to like. He has a chance to hit and hit with power and offensive catchers are so hard to find. He also wants to be a great defensive catcher, which speaks to his makeup.”
The Phillies have been trying to groom a homegrown third baseman since the departure of Scott Rolen more than a decade ago and Franco, 19, is the best prospect among a strong crop of players at the position.
Jordan’s comments: “He’s heading to the Florida State League. Any time you have a 19-year-old struggle as mightily as he did for almost three months and then be able to turn it around and have an incredible July and August, that means he has good makeup. There is no surrender.”
As a shortstop, a switch-hitter and a second-round pick, Quinn is bound to be compared to Jimmy Rollins, a 1996 second-round pick, as he climbs the minor-league ladder. His 30 stolen bases were six more than any player in the New York-Penn League and his 11 triples were five more than any player.
Jordan’s comments: “There is not a higher-ceiling player in our system if everything comes together and clicks. Roman has a lot of work to do, but what he brings to the table is really exciting. Last year was his first as a full-time shortstop and his first as a full-time switch hitter. We need to take our time with him, but he has a chance to impact the game in a lot of ways.”
Pettibone, 22, was the best starting pitcher at Reading last season, and during one four-game stretch at Lehigh Valley he allowed just two runs and 15 hits in 26 innings.
Jordan’s comments: “The reason he has climbed through the system so fast is that he knows who he is and he doesn’t try to do anything other than make pitches every time out. If he wants get to 94 (m.p.h.) with his fastball he can go get it, but he doesn’t pitch there. He doesn’t try to wow you. He tries to beat you.”
