Double-A Reading clinched a playoff spot on Monday for the first time since 2008 and some of their best and brightest prospects will be heading to Arizona to participate in this year's Fall League. Along with top prospect J.P. Crawford, Jake Kaplan of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Phillies will be sending catcher Andrew Knapp and outfielder Dylan Cozens on the offensive side of things. Nick Pivetta and Tom Windle highlight the pitching prospects headed to the AFL. They will be joined by Edubray Ramos and Yacksel Rios. The Phillies prospects will join young talent from the White Sox, Astros, Dodgers and Pirates as part of the Glendale Desert Dogs.
Crawford, 20, is the youngest player in the Eastern League as has gotten hot at the right time for Double-A Reading, who is headed to the postseason. Over his last 10 games, the Phillies top prospect is hitting .375 (15-for-40) with four doubles, two triples, five RBI's and eight runs scored. He's also stolen three bases. Overall in Reading this season, Crawford is slashing .270/.361./.420 with 20 doubles, seven triples, five home runs, 50 runs scored and 33 RBI's. He's struck out 42 times and walked 47.
Knapp, 23, may just be hitting .200 (8-for-40) over his last 10 games, but the Phillies catching prospect has turned heads in Double-A this season. Overall, he's averaging .367 with 10 home runs and 53 RBI's. His average got to as high as .411 in the middle of August, but it has come back to earth somewhat since then.
Pivetta, 22, has seen better days in Double-A. After showing plenty of signs of promise over his first few starts in Reading, he's stumbled as of late. He's given up 14 runs in 12 2/3 innings over his last three starts. Since being traded to the Phillies from the Nationals, Pivetta is 2-2 with a 7.31 ERA. Between Advanced 'A' ball and Double-A ball in the Phillies and Nationals organizations, he has a combined 9-8 record to go along with a 3.96 ERA and
Tom Windle, 23, has witnessed quite a resurgence since being moved to the bullpen in Double-A. The Phillies southpaw prospect posted a 5.35 ERA in 14 starts before converting to a relief role, where he's sporting a 2-0 record to go along with a 1.52 ERA in 23 2/3 innings.
Ramos, 22, posted a 1.49 ERA to start the year with Advanced 'A' Clearwater, but hasn't endured the same successes with Reading, struggling with command issues. In 17 1/3 innings out of the pen, Ramos is 1-1 with a 3.63 ERA. Combined between Clearwater and Reading this season, he's 2-3 with a 2.04 ERA. He is Rule 5 eligible this season.
Rios, 22, was a 12th round pick of the Phillies back in 2011. The Puerto Rico native is with the Phillies affiliate in Clearwater, seeing roles as both a starter and a reliever. In 24 games overall, 10 of which were starts, Rios is 6-4 with a 2.85 ERA. He's 4-1 with a 1.51 ERA as a reliever compared to his 2-3 record and 3.81 ERA as a starter. His fastball tops out at 94-95mph to go along with passable secondary pitches. Like Ramos, Rios is also Rule 5 eligible this offseason.
The Arizona Fall League is slated to begin its season on October 13th. The Desert Dogs will open against the Mesa Solar Sox, who will have prospects from the Angels, A's, Blue Jays, Nationals and Cubs.
