Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies have done a good job replenishing their farm system over the last few seasons, parting ways with Cole Hamels, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins to acquire young talent for the organization. On Saturday night, MiLB released their annual Top 100 prospects rankings and three Philadelphia prospects made the list. Jorge Alfaro came in at 72nd, Mickey Moniak in 19th and J.P. Crawford in 7th.
Despite the Phillies' relatively deep farm system, they only placed three on the top 100. Last season they had seven ranked in the top 100, but Jake Thompson graduated from the list, while outfielders Nick Williams and Cornelius Randolph fell out of the top 100 altogether. Rhys Hoskins and Dylan Cozens were also not ranked after their 2016 seasons that saw both hit 35+ home runs.
Crawford, 22, was the youngest player in Triple-A ball last season and the Phillies top farmhand struggled offensively and defensively at the highest level of the minor leagues. Crawford, viewed by many as the shortstop of the future, slashed .244/.328/.318 in 87 games with the Ironpigs, hitting 11 doubles and four home runs. JP fell two spots in the top 100 since they 2016 rankings, where he was the 5th best prospect in baseball. Barring an injury to Freddy Galvis, Crawford will start the 2017 campaign in Triple-A. Here's MLB's updated scouting report on Crawford:
While reaching the highest level of the Minors at a very young age, Crawford has managed to keep his advanced approach at the plate, continuing to draw a ton of walks and keep his strikeout rate low. While he makes a ton of contact, his power hasn't really shown up yet, though there is still hope he will grow into 10-15 home run performer as he matures. Crawford also continues to display outstanding defensive skills at short. Even though he has just average speed, he has tremendous range, footwork and hands to go along with a plus arm.
Crawford's numbers should be digested with the knowledge that he'll be just 22 for all of the 2017 season. At some point, he will need to produce, but there are no indicators to suggest he still can't be an All-Star caliber shortstop at the big league level.
Moniak, 18, was the Phillies first round pick and top overall selection in the 2016 draft. Although his season was cut short due to injury, Moniak posted strong numbers in his first professional season with the GCL Phillies. In 46 games, he hit .284 with 11 doubles, four triples, a homer and 28 RBIs. After a solid first season in the Phils system, expect Moniak to beging 2016 with Class 'A' Lakewood. Here's his scouting report:
Moniak has considerable tools that should excite Phillies fans. He can flat-out rake, making consistent hard contact from the left side of the plate. He started showing more power during his senior year and he could approach Major League average pop as a pro. Perhaps more impressive than his innate ability to barrel up the ball is his IQ at the plate, with an approach far advanced for his age and a willingness to use all fields. Moniak runs very well, allowing him to be a threat on the bases and to cover a lot of ground in center field, where he has the chance to be an elite defender.
Alfaro, 23, was acquired by the Phillies as part of the Cole Hamels deal and he actually spent limited time in the big leagues towards to end of the 2016 season. He played 97 games with Double-A Reading as their primary catcher and finished the year slashing .285/.325/.458 with 21 doubles, 15 home runs and 67 RBI's. With Cameron Rupp and Andrew Knapp as the two likely catchers the Phillies will go with to start 2017, Alfaro will get the opportunity to fine tune his craft as the primary backstop in Triple-A.
Alfaro has always shown off his power arm and power bat and he continued to do so more consistently in his first full season with the Phillies. There is still work to be done in terms of his pitch selection and plate discipline, which will enable him to tap into that plus raw power more consistently, but he continues to show the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Alfaro can neutralize the running game with his arm, throwing out 44 percent of would-be basestealers in 2016 and 30 percent in his Minor League career. The other facets of his defensive game have improved to the point where talk of moving him to first or the outfield has dissipated.
Spring Training is only a few weeks away as Phillies pitcher's and catcher's report to Clearwater on February 13 with the first full team workout scheduled for February 17.
