The Phillies minor leagues are stacked with potential big league talent after the many trades made by management over the past year. Three of the Phils minor league teams begin postseason play this week and fans will get to see how the big league clubs future stars hold their own in the postseason. Though Reading won their division, they'll begin on the road on Wednesday. Clearwater opens their best of three series with Daytona tonight on the road while Williamsport begins their series against West Virginia on Wednesday. Here's a quick look at the upcoming series' for the Phillies minor league clubs:
Double-A Reading
Final Record: 80-61
First round opponent: Binghamton Mets (77-64), Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets
Top prospects on team: J.P. Crawford (1), Jake Thompson (2), Nick Williams (3), Zach Eflin (8), Ben Lively (12), Nick Pivetta (13), Tom Windle (16), Andrew Knapp (17)
The Reading Fightin' Phils head into the playoffs as Eastern League Eastern Division winners for the first time since 2000. Though they won their division, they will begin their best-of-five game series with Binghamton, the defending champions, on the road Wednesday night at 6:35pm. Though Reading has yet to announce a starter, if the rotation holds, it will likely be Zach Eflin (8-6, 3.69). Eflin, 21, came to the Phillies organization in the Jimmy Rollins trade and has been a solid performer all season in the Reading rotation. He has struggled recently though, going 3-2 with a 5.04 ERA in his last 10 starts. Jake Thompson (5-1, 1.80) and Ben Lively (8-7, 4.13) will also comprise the rotation. Nick Pivetta (2-2, 7.31) was removed from his last start after just four pitches and may have a strained oblique, so Joely Rodriguez (5-4, 5.90) or even Ethan Martin(3-1, 3.14) could be the teams' fourth starter in the playoffs. Top prospect J.P. Crawford enters the postseason with a .288 combined average this season between Clearwater and Reading. Outfielder Nick Williams, who had been sidelined with a concussion, returned to Reading's lineup on Monday for the 1st time since August 26th. He went 1-for-5 with a stolen base. You'll want to keep an eye on catcher Andrew Knapp, who ended the season hitting .360 with 21 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, 39 runs scored and 56 RBI's in Double-A. Reading will host game three at home on Friday, September 11th. If necessary, they will also host the final two games at First Energy Stadium as well. The winner of the series will play either Altoona or Bowie of the Western Division. Reading is struggling heading into the postseason, losing five of seven to begin September.
Advanced 'A' Clearwater
Final Record: 42-25 (2nd half record)/ 79-58 (overall record)
First round opponent: Daytona Tortugas (40-25/77-58), Advanced 'A' affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds
Top prospects on team: Ricardo Pinto (11), Alberto Tirado (15), Matt Imhof (18), Carlos Tocci (21), Malquin Canelo (22), Brandon Leibrandt (27), John Richy (29)
The Threshers won both halves of the Florida State League North division and begin their first round best-of-three series tonight on the road against Daytona, a team they are very familiar with. Clearwater trailed Daytona by five games with five games to go in the first half of the season and overcame the deficit to clinch the title. The winner will advance to a best-of-five game series against the winner of the FSL South Championship. Overall this season, the Threshers have a 7-2 record at home against Daytona and they own a .288 average against them. The team ERA of 2.86 against the Tortugas is also notable, with Mark Leiter Jr. leading the way, allowing just one run in 19 2/3 innings. Phillies pitching prospect Ricardo Pinto (9-2, 2.87) is listed as the probable starter in game one with John Richy (0-0, 2.84) slated for the game two start. If necessary, David Whitehead (9-11, 4.44) will start game three. The Threshers will host game two and game three, if necessary, at Bright House Field.
Short Season 'A' Williamsport
Final Record: 46-30
First round opponent: West Virginia (42-34), Short Season 'A' affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Top prospects on team: Franklyn Kilome (7),
Williamsport heads into the playoffs losing five out of their final seven games. They began the season 13-0 and are offensively led by Josh Tobias. Selected in the 10th round of this seasons draft, Tobias ended the regular season ranked third in the NYPL with a .321 batting average. He led the Cutters in hits (77), doubles (19), triples (3), RBI's (37), total bases (114), slugging percentage (.475), and OPS (.837). One of eight Crosscutters selected to participate in the 2015 New York-Penn League All-Star Game, Tobias went 2 for 2 with 2 stolen bases as the starting second baseman for the South squad. Mitch Gueller headlines the pitching, despite the team having top prospect Franklyn Kilome on their roster. He led the league with 10 wins (10-1) and tied for first with a 2.23 ERA and is the Cutters all-time leader in wins (18) and starts (39.) Williamsport begins their series on the road Wednesday night against West Virginia. They return home to host game two. They'll play game three in Williamsport if necessary. The winner will advance to the New-York Penn League Championship Series, which is also best out of three series. Alejandro Arteaga (4-3, 3.11) will start game one, Franklyn Kilome (3-2, 3.28) will get the ball for game two and if necessary, Mitch Gueller (10-1, 2.23) will take the mound in game three.
