Top 25 Prospects, End of Minors’ Season Edition

He made the list Photo by Richard Wilkins Jr.

Alright, the minor leagues are done. It's time to rate the top prospects in the system. There aren't shockers, per se, but there are changes. For instance, no longer being considered are Ethan Martin, Cody Asche, Jon Pettibone, and Darin Ruf, to name a few. Here's my updated list.

1. Maikel Franco-3B- Clearwater/Reading- At the age of 20/21 he hit 30 homers and drove in 100 runs, while hitting well over .300. His future is bright. His estimated arrival is late 2014.
2. Jesse Biddle-LHP- Reading- His season wasn't lights-out, or amazing in any way, but he was very good at an advanced level. He's a future high-end, if not ace, starter. His estimated arrival is late 2014.
3. J.P. Crawford-SS- GCL/Lakewood- So he was the first pick for the Phillies in June, but spent part of August in Lakewood. I'm enthusiastic about his future. His estimated arrival is late 2016.
4. Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez-RHP- None- He didn't throw an inning this year, but still is here. Why? Well, for one, he's probably going to make the team next year, and was a major international signing. Two, he throws 95. Pencil him in to be on the 2014 team at some point. His estimated arrival is Opening Day 2014.
5. Roman Quinn-SS/CF- Lakewood- His season wasn't his best, admittedly. He stole 32 bases though, and was going through some new stuff the Phillies introduced him to (namely switch hitting). I still am pro-Quinn. Estimated arrival is 2017.
6. Cesar Hernandez-2B/CF- Lehigh Valley/Philadelphia- Well, he's here. A .300 plus season with over 30 steals and a good collection of extra base hits will do that for you. He'll be a utility man most likely, and a centerfielder soon at the best. A .375 OBP looks good. Estimated arrival is now.
7. Kelly Dugan-OF- Clearwater/Reading- His break out campaign got him promoted mid-season from A to AA. The 22 year old produced an overall .291/20 homer/.858 OPS season. AA did catch up to him a bit, but he was still solid. He has a shot to be up next September. Estimated arrival is 2015.
8. Adam Morgan-LHP- Lehigh Valley- I'm not ready to sell down on Morgan after an injury cut down his season. He needs to get tougher on righties, but his 2.73 ERA after his return is encouraging. His estimated arrival is 2014.
9. Cameron Rupp-C- Reading/Lehigh Valley/Philadelphia- But, but, but… nothing. His season was solid enough to get him a 40 man spot and call up. A .269 average in AAA and good reviews for his defense move him way up this list. Is he a starter? Doubtful. Can he play? Yes. Estimated arrival is now.
10. Carlos Tocci-OF- Lakewood- Nothing in his Lakewood numbers looks too good. He also wasn't even a legal adult until a few days ago. Look for him to repeat Lakewood with some increased success, and move up the ladder from there. His estimated arrival is 2017.
11. Shane Watson-RHP- Lakewood- He struggled at times in 2014, his first full season in professional ball, but his talent is there. The first pick of the Phillies in the 2012 draft has a very live arm, and room to improve. His estimated arrival is 2017.
12. Severino Gonzalez-RHP- Lakewood/Clearwater/Reading- Well, he won the award as the best pitcher in the system. His 2.00 ERA was split well across all three levels. He's kind of out of left-field to have this season, but his arm appears to be talented and improving. He's got a decent shot. Estimated arrival is late 2014. 
13. Aaron Altherr-OF- Clearwater- Ok, so he did cool off a lot after scorching out the gate. Still, he's a plus athlete who had a better year than we've seen in a bit. I can't be anything but positive here. Estimated arrival is late 2015.
14. Luis Encarnacion-3B- None- He was a pretty big international signing for the Phillies, so much so that they signed the #4 international prospect minutes after turning 16 years old.  He's well worth the risk. Estimated arrival time is 2019.
15. Tommy Joseph-C- Lehigh Valley/DL- 2013 was not kind to Joseph, who was arguably the top position prospect they had before this season. Now, with concussions threatening his career, a position change possible, and a year lost, one has to wonder if he'll make it. If he has to move to first base, he's in real trouble going forward, as he'll have to hit a lot more. One hopes he can just recover. Estimated arrival time is 2014.
16. Mitch Guellar-RHP- Williamsport- The second pick in 2012 struggled, but forget the stats. It all comes down to getting a secondary pitch with the gas. If he does, watch the stats change. Estimated arrival is late 2017.
17. Zach Green-3B- Williamsport- In short-season ball he hit 13 homers and 20 doubles. If he can hold that power, he has a shot to be special. Estimated arrival is 2018.
18. Seth Rosin-RHP- Reading- Was he unhittable or great? No. Did he show some potential to be a future guy of at least the Tyler Cloyd ilk? Sure, so he's got a shot at playing in the bigs. Estimated arrival is 2015.
19. Cameron Perkins-OF- Clearwater- Another guy in the FSL who tailed off, but he had a good enough year to warrant another look. Estimated arrival is 2016.
20. Andrew Knapp-C- Williamsport- He more than held his own after being the second round pick in the June draft. His future is still out ahead of him. Estimated arrival is 2017.
21. Dylan Conzens-OF- Williamsport- I'll tell you what, 9 homers in short-season ain't bad. An .800 plus OPS is also not bad. If his power continues to grow, who knows. Estimated arrival time is 2017.
22. Andrew Pullin-2B- Williamsport- He'll have to progress more, but he has the potential to be a plus second baseman. Estimated arrival is 2017.
23. Jesus Chavez-LHP- VSL Phillies- He's 6'3 and left-handed, so he projects well. He's also 9-0 this year with a 2.18 ERA. Expect him to come over next summer. Estimated arrival time is 2017.
24. Ken Giles-RHP- Clearwater- The triple-digit flame thrower fought injuries and diminished performance, but he throws 100 mph. Estimated arrival is 2015.
25. Mark Leiter Jr.-RHP- GCL/Clearwater/Lakewood- I feel like throwing a provocative name in here. After picking him this year, I like where his performance is at. Why not throw him on here. Estimated arrival is 2018.