Photo courtesy of woodbat.blogspot.com
MLB.com has officially released their list of top 100 prospects for 2014 and two Phillies prospects, Maikel Franco (#26) and Jesse Biddle (#53), are the lone representatives. There has been plenty of spotlight this offseason on Franco with his breakout season in the minors last year his potenitial upcoming playing time at first base. Biddle, on the other hand, is looking to rebound from somewhat of an "off" year in 2013.
Franco, 21, could possibly be the big right-handed bat of the future for the Phillies. Which position he ends up playing seems to be up in the air though. Franco was one of the biggest movers on the top 100 list of prospects, moving from #73 in 2013 to #26 this year. He is also ranked as the 4th overall third base prospect this season. His minor league statistics are the obvious reasons for his big jump, combining for an average of .320 with 31 homers and 103 RBI between Advanced-A Clearwater and Double-A Reading. A third baseman for 346 of his 358 minor-league games, Franco said he has been told by the Phillies that he'll play primarily first base this season, though Ruben Amaro still views this base as his main spot. Cody Asche is the favorite to win the third base job for the Phillies this season, but Franco will be there to compete for the spot.
Biddle, 22, is ranked #53 this season on the top 100 list. He fell a bit from his last year ranking at number 42. After a season that saw him fight whooping cough and plantar fasciitis in his left foot, Biddle is looking to rebound after going 5-14 with a 3.64 ERA in Double-A. Biddle admitted that he battled some maturity issues last season but has learned a lot and he will likely start in Triple-A with the Irongpigs in 2014. With the back of the Phillies rotation somewhat of an unknown, a strong early performance by Biddle could have him seeing big league time at some point before the middle of the season. Drafted by the Phillies in the first round (27th overall) in the 2010 draft, Biddle's 154 strikeouts last season were third best in the Eastern League. He also found himself with a spot on the Future's Game roster for the USA.
Brandon Apter is a contributor to Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @ApterShock
