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Showing posts from March, 2017

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #1 SS J.P. Crawford

JP Crawford, image- Jay Floyd It's probably no surprise that the player widely regarded as the Phillies' top young talent sits atop this year's prospect countdown.  Shortstop J.P. Crawford is likely be making his way to the major leagues soon enough. After he was selected by the Phillies 16th overall out of Lakewood High School (CA) in the 2013 draft, Crawford joined the Phillies system and quickly proved to be among the organization's most talented young players. Upon making his minor league debut as an 18-year-old with the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies, Crawford was greatly impressive. He was tops in the GCL in batting for a considerable stretch, posting a .345 average with a homer, 19 RBI and 12 stolen bases through 39 games. To wrap up the regular season, he was promoted up two levels to Class A full season Lakewood. As a member of the BlueClaws in the South Atlantic League, Crawford handled the jump well for a youngster that was playi

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #2 Catcher Jorge Alfaro

Jorge Alfaro, image- Jay Floyd Acquired as part of the the return for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman from Texas in 2015, catcher Jorge Alfaro quickly became one of the Phillies' most promising prospects. With a powerful bat and outstanding skills behind the dish, Alfaro could become a fast moving performer for his new organization. Originally signed by the Rangers for a reported $1.3 million in 2010 at the age of 16, the Colombia native would make his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League that same year. In 48 games, the righty hitting Alfaro posted a .221 average and a home run along with 23 RBI. The following year, with Class A short-season Spokane, the talented catcher tallied a .300 average with six homers and 23 RBI in 45 contests. In 2012 with full season Class A level Hickory, he batted .261 with five home runs, 34 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 74 games. A repeat campaign with Hickory was in order the following year, although he played a handf

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #3 OF Nick Williams

Nick Williams, image- Jay Floyd Included among the collection of prospects the Phillies obtained in the 2015 trade that sent Cole Hamels to Texas, slugging outfielder Nick Williams is as promising as any of the very talented young players the team has in their developmental ranks. A second round pick of the Rangers out of Ball High School (TX) in 2012, Williams quickly signed and debuted as a pro. In the rookie level Arizona League, he posted a .313 batting average with a pair of home runs and 27 RBI while swiping 15 bases in 48 games. The following year Williams played with Class A Hickory in the Sally League. In 95 games, he tallied a .293 average with 17 homers, 60 RBI and eight steals. In 2014 Williams would open the season with Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach, where he notched a .292 batting average with 13 home runs and 68 RBI in 94 games. That production earned him a promotion to the Double-A level to wrap up that season in August, where he posted a .226/.2

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #4 OF Mickey Moniak

Mickey Moniak, image- Joe Wombough Taken with the top overall selection in last year's MLB amateur draft, outfielder Mickey Moniak has garnered a lot of attention as a highly promising talent in the Phillies' developmental ranks. After signing out of La Costa Canyon High School for a reported $6.1 million, the lefty batting Moniak had a very good professional debut. In 46 games with the Phillies' Gulf Coast League team, Moniak posted a .284 batting average with 11 doubles, four triples, a home run and 28 RBI.  Additionally, he showed some speed, swiping 10 bases in 14 opportunities. Following the regular season, Moniak participated in the Florida Instructional League and spent time at the Phillies' training facility in Clearwater, where he worked to add strength and muscle to his six-foot-two 185-pound frame. At the plate, Moniak, who was committed to play at UCLA prior to the 2016 draft, makes steady, hard contact.  He is touted as a line drive hitter tha

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #5 First Baseman Rhys Hoskins

Rhys Hoskins, image- Jay Floyd First baseman Rhys Hoskins proved to be a prospect on the fast track for the Phillies with a breakout campaign last year. With a powerful bat and a great approach at the plate, the righty hitting slugger drew a lot of attention in his second full season as a pro. A product of Cal State-Sacramento, Hoskins posted a .319 average with 25 home runs and 128 RBI in 168 college games prior to turning signing with the Phillies. Drafted by the Phillies as a 5th round selection in 2014, Hoskins made his minor league debut as a member of the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters that same summer. In 70 games there, the California native posted a .237 average with nine home runs and 40 RBI. Hoskins, who stands six-feet-four and weighs 225 pounds, would spend time at the Florida Instructional League following the regular season. It was there that coaches implemented a leg kick as a timing mechanism, to assist with his efforts at the plate.

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #6 RHP Franklyn Kilome

Franklyn Kilome, image- Jay Floyd One of the most promising young pitching prospects in the Phillies organization is right-hander Franklyn Kilome . Armed with outstanding velocity and a remarkable repertoire, the talented youngster will soon be among the collection of the team's rising hurlers pushing their way toward the big leagues. Signed by the Phillies as an international free agent in January, 2013, Kilome would make his professional debut the following year. With the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies, as an 18-year-old, Kilome would notch a 3-1 record with a 3.12 ERA and a .235 batting average against. He struck out 25 and walked 11 in 40 1/3 innings. The Dominican Republic native opened 2015 in extended spring training, then joined the short-season Class A Williamsport team. He helped the Crosscutters storm into the postseason with a 3-2 record with a 3.28 ERA and a .230 BAA. He struck out 36 and walked 21 in 49 1/3 innings. Last year, Kilome w

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #7 OF Roman Quinn

Roman Quinn, image- Jay Floyd   Outfielder Roman Quinn used his short stint in the big leagues late last season as a chance to show that he belonged at the top level of the sport.  It would appear that he's primed to make a return to the Phillies this coming season, perhaps to stay for good. Selected in the 2nd round of the 2011 MLB amateur draft, Quinn was converted to shortstop upon making his pro debut.  It was an experiment that did not prove successful, however, as he has returned to the outfield. Quinn would make his pro debut as a 19-year-old with short-season Class A Williamsport in 2012, posting a .281 average with nine doubles, a league-leading 11 triples, one home run and 23 RBI while swiping 30 bases in 36 opportunities. Comfort was a big factor for Quinn in 2013, according to his Class A Lakewood coaches.  They saw things get easier for the talented youngster at the plate as the season went on and he displayed success with another experiment on the offe

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #8 OF Dylan Cozens

Dylan Cozens image- Jay Floyd Outfielder Dylan Cozens entered last season as one of the Phillies' most underrated prospects.  A huge offensive year at the Double-A level helped the lefty batting slugger begin to garner some much deserved attention. At six feet six inches tall and weighing 235 pounds, Cozens has an imposing frame that was well-suited for the grid iron, as he was a two-sport star in his high school days.  After he was selected in the 2nd round of the 2012 draft, Cozens debuted in the minors with the rookie level Gulf Coast Phillies. In 50 games there, he notched 15 doubles, two triples, five homers and 24 RBI. Cozens also participated in the Florida Instructional League in 2012. Following a productive spring in 2013, Cozens was retained in extended spring training and made his official season debut with the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters when they began playing in June. Cozens was among the league leaders in many categorie

2017 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #9 Second Baseman Scott Kingery

Scott Kingery, image- Jay Floyd A second round draft choice in 2015, second baseman Scott Kingery is a talented player that many feel could be a fast moving prospect for the rebuilding Phillies. Kingery, who was a walk-on as a freshman at Arizona, was named Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2015, in his junior season. That year, he posted a .392/.423/.561 slash line while driving in 36 runs and stealing 11 bases in 54 games as a member of the Wildcats. In three college seasons, the right-handed batting Kingery sported a .351 batting average while driving in 80 runs and stealing 38 bases in 149 games. Making his pro debut following the draft, the five-foot-10 180-pounder joined the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. In 66 games he tallied a .250/.314/.337 slash line while swiping 11 bags in 12 opportunities. In 2016 Kingery opened the season with the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers.  In 94 games in the Florida State League, the 22-year-old posted a .293 average with 29 doubles, t