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Taveras w/ Lakewood in 2016, image-Jay Floyd Starting pitcher Jose Taveras is a rising prospect worthy of Phillies fans’ attention. Protected by the Phils from December’s Rule 5 draft, Taveras was added to the team’s 40-man roster this off-season and could be part of the team’s near future. The Dominican native began his pro career with the Dominican Summer League Phillies in 2014. In 15 appearances (13 starts), Taveras posted an 8-4 record with a 1.05 ERA, a .202 batting average against and 7.4 K/9 mark. The righty followed that up with a solid 2015 campaign for Class A short-season Williamsport, where he notched a 7-4 record, a 3.88 ERA, a .273 BAA and an 8.5 K/9 mark in 13 starts. The next year with Class A Lakewood, Taveras posted an 8-8 record with a 3.28 ERA, a .229 BAA and a 10.1 K/9 mark in 25 appearances (20 starts) for the BlueClaws. Last year was a virtual coming out party for Taveras, who really seemed to make a name for himself. In 25 regular ...

Jose Gomez, image- MiLB.com Last season's trade of pitcher Pat Neshek to Colorado copped a nice return with two prospects nabbed from the Rockies landing inside the Phillies' top 25 heading into the 2018 season.  The first of those two was reliever J.D. Hammer, who came in at number 24, and now infielder Jose Gomez makes the list at number 21. Gomez, a native of Venezuela, was signed as an amateur free agent in 2013 at the age of 16.  He would make his pro debut the following year.  In two seasons in the Dominican Summer League he notched a .271 batting average with two homers and 46 RBI through 133 games. In 2016, playing in the short-season Rookie level Pioneer League, Gomez made a big splash, leading the league in hits with 98 and tallying a .367/.426/468 slash line in 66 games for Grand Junction.  Opening the 2017 campaign with Class A Asheville, where he posted a .324 average with 20 doubles, two triples, four home runs and 33 ...

Cole Stobbe, image- MiLB.com After making a transition to third base from shortstop last year, Cole Stobbe (pronounced STOW-bee) looks ready to climb the developmental ladder and garner some attention among the Phillies' top prospects. Selected in the 3rd round of the 2016 MLB amateur draft, the right-handed hitting infielder signed quickly with the Phils.  As a high school player prior to the draft, Stobbe was a very well-rounded high school hitter, stroking the ball to all fields while displaying power.  He was committed to playing college ball at Arkansas before being drafted by the Phillies. The first pick of the third round, Stobbe had already seen two of his teammates from the USA Baseball 18-and-under national team get picked by the Phils. Those players, first overall selection Mickey Moniak and second rounder Kevin Gowdy, also signed. Stobbe made his pro debut as a shortstop for the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies. In 44 games, the Nebraska native...

Darick Hall, image- Jay Floyd The driving force behind the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws' lineup, Darick Hall was named the South Atlantic League's Most Valuable player for the 2017 season.  The first baseman, deservedly, has gained recognition among the Phillies' talented crop of rising prospects. A 14th round draft selection in 2016, the Dallas Baptist product made his professional debut with the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters that same year.  In 57 games there, Hall tallied a .282 batting average with nine home runs and 29 RBI. The left-handed hitter moved up to full-season Class A in 2017 and with Lakewood sported a .272 average with 28 doubles, a triple, 27 home runs (team record) and 96 RBI (another team record) in 114 games. Hall would close out his 2017 campaign with a week in the Class A Advanced Florida State League playing for Clearwater.  In seven games with the Threshers, the six-foot-four 236-pounder posted a .231 batting average with ...

Hammer, image- MiLB.com Acquired as part of the return from Colorado in last summer’s Pat Neshek trade, right-handed pitcher J.D. Hammer has stood out as a promising prospect that could prove valuable in the near future for the Phillies.    Originally a 24 th round draft pick on the Rockies in 2016, Hammer made his professional debut that year in the Rookie level Pioneer League for Grand Junction.  In 27 relief outings there, the Marshall product posted a 0-2 record with three saves, a 3.92 ERA while striking out 52 batters and walking 11 in 43 2/3 innings.   Following the 2016 season, Hammer, who had previously dealt with vision challenges and struggled with reading signals from his catchers, had an examination and was prescribed glasses, according to reports.  In a short amount of time, the new frames have become what Hammer is known for and have helped him excel.    Last year, Hammer pitched at multiple levels during ...

Jesmuel Valentin, image- Jay Floyd Second baseman Jesmuel Valentin has become a solid contributor at each level he has played and could possess the ability to continue that success as he approaches the big leagues. Last year in spring training with the big league team Valentin proved he could contribute and earned consideration at making the Phillies opening day roster. His 2017 was cut short at the Triple-A level due to an injury in May, so he wasn't healthy for a call up during the season. But now, fully healthy and on the diamond in the Roberto Clemente League (the Puerto Rico Winter League), Valentin is hopeful he'll get another shot at his big league dream this year. Selected as the 51st overall draft pick in 2012, Valentin was quickly a well-hyped prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers system. Upon signing his initial professional contract fresh out of high school, the switch-hitter debuted in the rookie level Arizona League, posting a .211 average while...

Each year I compile my annual prospect rankings and count down the Phillies organization’s top 25 rising minor league talents. In the coming weeks, I’ll be posting reviews for each of the top developmental talents that appear to have the brightest futures for the Phils organization. Taken into consideration when compiling the list is age, minor league performance relative to levels played to date, value to the organization as well as the player’s future potential and proximity to the big leagues. These rankings will not include players over the age of 25 or individuals that have already spent lengthy stretches in the big leagues. JP Crawford, image- Jay Floyd For example, J.P. Crawford and Jorge Alfaro, who are both previously, highly-ranked Phillies prospects, graduated to the big leagues last season and spent a month or more at the top level and won't be included in this year's rankings. Others moving to the majors and progressing out of prospect status are pi...