Though much attention this spring has been given to prospects like J.P. Crawford, Jake Thompson and Nick Williams — all of whom could make their major-league debuts during the 2016 season, Cornelius Randolph remains one of the most important pieces in the Philadelphia Phillies' farm-system.
Randolph, just 18, represents the start of the second-wave of minor league talent the Phillies should be able to build through the draft and international signings. This group, though they are probably a few seasons away from the major leagues, will largely be the product of high draft picks obtained due to poor major league success, and may help put the Phillies over the top towards being an elite team at the back-end of this decade.
Randolph was the 10th pick in last summer's draft, taken as a shortstop but immediately moved to left-field. Baseball America caught up with Randolph to discuss his transition to the outfield, and though he says it hasn't been one without some struggles, he's coming along well.
“It’s work. It’s a lot of work. It’s not a hard transition, but it’s not easy. It’s a lot of fly balls. A lot of early work to be the best outfielder I can be. It’s a lot different (now),” Randolph said. “I feel like I’m taking better routes. I feel like I’m getting to balls quicker. My throwing motion is better. My arm is getting stronger.”
The good thing for Randolph is that he's going through a position change after his high-school career, not his college career. So much like Crawford was drafted in the first-round of the 2013 draft, and is still just 21 and expected to make his major-league debut later in 2016, Randolph has plenty of time to improve as an outfielder. (Crawford didn't change positions, but his minor league career arc is worth paying attention to in regards to Randolph.)
If things in the outfield don't work out, the Phillies' top first-base prospect, Jhailyn Ortiz, is just 16 years-old, so Randolph could potentially play first-base when he is initially called up. Or maybe the National League will have adopted the DH by the time he's called up.
Baseball America's look at Randolph focuses on how even if he becomes serviceable as an outfielder, his best value to the team will be his bat. Randolph batted .302 in 172 at-bats in the Gulf Coast League after being drafted last summer, so a position change doesn't seem to have affected his best attribute.
If Randolph continues that in his first full season in the organization, he figures to be one of the Phillies' highest rated prospects at this time next year.
Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) is the Managing Editor of Philliedelphia.com, focusing on news and features.
