The Phillies are currently engaged in a four-game set with the first-place Mets. Fans have gotten to see some young talent with the big league club over the past few weeks with Jerad Eickhoff's debut, Aaron Altherr's callup and the addition of Darnell Sweeney. As those guys continue to get Major League experience, there are plenty of players trying to prove their worth in the minors. This week, John Richy, acquired in the Chase Utley trade, made his debut with the Phillies organization while Reading pitcher Zach Eflin was lights out on Tuesday night. Let's check in on some notable prospects in the Phillies farm.
John Richy (Advanced 'A') - Prior to being traded to the Phillies as a part of the Chase Utley deal, Richy wasn't really turning too many heads, posting a record of 10-5 to go along with a less than ideal ERA of 4.20 over 124 1/3 innings. His start before coming to the Phillies organization was good though, tossing six innings of three-run ball while striking out three. Richy improved on that performance in his debut for the Threshers. He pitched a gem against Daytona on Tuesday night, allowing no runs over seven innings while striking out three and walking one.
Nick Pivetta (Double-A) - Since joining the Reading Fightin' Phils, Pivetta has had mixed results. He's started five games so far with Double-A Reading, allowing five or more runs in two of those starts. His most successful outing came back on August 15th against Harrisburg when he fanned eight batters in just 5 2/3 innings. On Monday night in Altoona, Pivetta picked up the win after tossing seven innings and giving up three runs. He struck out five and walked three. Through five starts in Reading, the 22-year-old righty is 2-1 with a 5.81 ERA.
Nick Williams (Double-A) - If you don't know about Williams by now, then you have been missing out. With Jorge Alfaro still on the mend, Williams is the key offensive piece of the deal that sent Cole Hamels to the Rangers. So far in his time with Double-A Reading, Williams is hitting .337 with five doubles, two triples, four homers, 21 runs scored, 10 RBI's and two steals. On Monday night, Williams went 4-for-6 at the plate, finishing the game a triple short of the cycle. Overall this season between the Rangers and Phillies organizations, Williams is hitting .306.
Andrew Knapp (Double-A) – With Jorge Alfaro hurt, Knapp has emerged as the most intriguing catching prospect in the Phillies organization. Though his defense leaves something to be desired, Knapp's bat cannot be ignored at this point. Though he's hitting just .263 over his last 10 games, Knapp is slashing .380/.432/.676 with 10 homers and 51 RBI's in 63 games with Double-A Reading this season.
J.P. Crawford (Double-A) - The Phillies top prospect may just be hitting .260 in Double-A this season, but his defensive prowess continues to impress the Phillies brass. He seems to be getting more comfortable at the plate as of late, hitting .295 (13-for-44) over his last 10 games with seven runs scored, four RBI's and three steals. On Monday night in Altoona, Crawford went 3-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored, a triple and two RBI's.
Jake Thompson (Double-A) - With Aaron Nola in the big leagues, Thompson remains as the Phillies top pitching prospect. On Friday night, Thompson spun six innings of two-run ball against New Britain, striking out seven and walking three. Through four starts with Reading, he's 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA. He gets the start tonight in Altoona at 7:05pm.
Zach Eflin (Double-A) – Even though the Phillies have acquired a handful of prospects, don't forget about Eflin, who's been strong all year in Double-A and his latest start proves his worth. Though the Fightin Phils lost 3-2, Eflin pitched seven shutout innings, scattering six hits and striking out five. Overall this season, he's 7-6 with a 3.36 ERA.
Tom Windle (Double-A) - Windle struggled as a starter this season, posting a 5.35 ERA in 12 starts for Reading. The Phillies opted to convert Windle to the bullpen and he has been excelling ever since. He's 2-0 with a 1.27 ERA and has only allowed one earned run over his last 10 games, spanning 11 2/3 innings, tallying nine strikeouts over that time.
Alberto Tirado (Advanced 'A') - Acquired by the Phillies in the Ben Revere trade with Toronto, Tirado has appeared in seven games for Clearwater and is doing very well. In 12 innings, he's allowed just one run on six hits while striking out 13 and walking 11. Hitters are averaging just .171 against him.
Alec Asher (Triple-A) - After seeing his teammate from the Rangers get the call to Philadelphia, Asher took the mound on Saturday in Pawtucket. He pitched seven shutout innings, scattering five hits while striking out three. The Phillies seemed to have scored big in the Hamels deal, but both Asher and Eickhoff weren't very highly regarded, so their performances so far are a bonus. In four starts with the Ironpigs, Asher is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA.
Rhys Hoskins (Advanced 'A') - The 22-year-old out of Cal State Sacramento earned Florida State League Player of the Week honors for the week of August 17th-23rd. Over that time, he hit .321 with four doubles, a triple and two homers. He scored 10 runs and drove in 10 as well. Overall this season in Clearwater, Hoskins is hitting .300 with 18 doubles, seven home runs and 34 RBI's.
Dylan Cozens (Advanced 'A') - One of the guys in the Phillies organization known to have raw power, Cozens is hitting .342 (13-for-38) over his last 10 games with eight runs scored, a double, a triple, three RBI's and four steals.
David Buchanan (Triple-A) - I'm sure the Phillies management and Phillies fans would like to see Buchanan figure things out in the minors and provide some consistent depth in the rotation as the year ends and into 2016. Since being demoted to Lehigh Valley after allowing 11 runs on August 11th in Arizona, Buchanan has allowed four runs in 10 1/3 innings over two starts. On Monday night against Buffalo, he pitched five innings and allowed just one run, earning the win, but walked five.
Josh Tobias (Short Season 'A') - Selected in the 10th round of this year's draft, the 22-year-old outfielder is hitting .312 this season for Williamsport with 15 doubles and 33 RBI's.
Alejandro Arteaga (Short Season 'A') - The 21-year-old right-hander out of Venezuela is 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA in 11 starts for the Crosscutters this season. On Saturday night, he pitched six innings of one-run ball, striking out three.
Mitch Gueller (Short Season 'A') - Gueller, 21, was plucked by the Phillies in the compensation draft back in 2012. He's been dominant through 10 starts with Williamsport this season, posting an 8-1 record to go along with a 2.15 ERA. He's struck out 39 and walked 14.
Herlis Rodriguez (Class 'A') - The 21-year-old Venezuelan center fielder is hitting a solid .293 in Lakewood this season with 17 doubles, 10 home runs and 57 RBI's. Despite his good average, he's only hitting .195 (8-for-41) over his last 10 games.
Ricardo Pinto (Advanced 'A') - Pinto hasn't pitched since August 17th due to his innings limit getting close. He's thrown 135 1/3 innings this season between Class 'A' and Advanced 'A', posting a combined record of 13-4 to go along with an impressive ERA of 2.79. He's 7-2 with a 2.50 ERA in 11 starts with the Threshers this season.
