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| Photo by Richard Wilkins Jr. |
I felt like updating my top ten for the Phillies prospects after reading this, and just letting you know how they've done a month in.
- Maikel Franco- Lehigh Valley- .200 avg., .580 OPS, 7 XBH, 2 HR's- He had a dreadful start, but he had a very good last ten days, cracking his first two homers of the year recently and raising his average about 100 points. Let's check back in on the stat line in a month, as he seems to finally be getting AAA ball. I see him at third base by Opening Day 2015.
- J.P. Crawford- Lakewood- .324 avg., .885 OPS, 9 XBH, 3 HR's, 7 SB's- So he won the Gulf Coast League batting title and followed it up with this stat line. He's clearly not going to be here before 2016, but he's killing the South Atlantic League for now.
- Jesse Biddle- Reading- 3-3, 3.43 ERA, 39.1 IP, 45 K's, 15 BB- After a really awful start, Biddle has got on a roll and finally appears to be figuring out AA. He still walks too many guys, but his stuff is really good. I think he's in the 2015 rotation, and could be in Lehigh Valley by Summer's end.
- Carlos Tocci- Lakewood- .271 avg., .659 OPS, 6 XBH- The 18 year old's bat has caught up to Lakewood this year. No, his power hasn't come yet, but he's no longer a sub-par hitter at this difficult level, and his outfield defense remains outstanding. He's far, far away from the majors though, as in like 2017-2018 period.
- Tommy Joseph- Reading- .281 avg., .941 OPS, 9 XBH, 5 HR's- I know everyone freaked out over his "concussion like symptoms" a few days back, but he came back and cracked a homer yesterday, amongst his four hits, while catching. In other words, don't over-react. I'm still pro-Joseph, and his start this year shows why. His power stroke is back, and he's dominating the AA level. So, ask yourself how long he stays down there? It could be all year with Chooch having a three year deal, it could also not be.
- Roman Quinn- DL- He isn't back yet from his ruptured achilles, but you have to hope he can get there early enough in 2014 to have a season. Quinn has ridiculous speed and athletic talent, and he was putting up impressive numbers until he got to Lakewood last Summer. Players hit a tough level at some point (See Utley's first Clearwater season), so don't over think that. If he heals well, I think he profiles as a dynamic center fielder or shortstop.
- Kelly Dugan- Reading- .271 avg., .771 OPS, 2 XBH, 1 HR- The 2009 first pick (second round) had a big offensive season last year, and he's been good this one too, albeit without the power numbers. Dugan profiles as arriving next season to a corner outfield spot near you.
- Severino Gonzalez- Reading- 3-1, 3.67 ERA, 34.1 IP, 26 K's, 7 BB- The minor league pitcher of the year last year hasn't been too bad this year either. If his velocity jump holds, he has big league capable stuff, though he'll never be a real "power" arm. He showed he can pitch though last year.
- Aaron Altherr- Reading, Clearwater- .240 avg., .766 OPS, 9 XBH, 2 HR's, 2 SB's- Altherr hasn't cleaned up the way he did early last year, but his tools are all still there. There is no reason to get too alarmed this early in the season, though .240 isn't what most of us thought we'd see.
- Dylan Cozens- Lakewood- .267 avg., .747 OPS, 13 XBH, 3 HR's, 4 SB's- This guy has very plus tools and is an athlete. He hasn't totally raked the South Atlantic League, yet, but you have to like what you're seeing. As he becomes more of a just-baseball guy (he was recruited to play D-line too), his whole game will rise.
