Reading Eagle survey ranks top Phils prospects

Alec Bohm, image- Jay Floyd

Mike Drago, who covers the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils for the Reading Eagle, is back with his annual prospect survey.

Each August, Mike surveys a collection of writers, broadcasters and media types that cover the Phillies minor league levels closely to collect each person's list of ranked Phillies prospects. Using a point system, awarding points based on rank, he will tally out a complete list of all the organization's best developmental talents.

Per Mike, third baseman/first baseman Alec Bohm was listed as the top prospect on two-thirds of the submissions.

Here is a sample of the list, the top 10, right from the Reading Eagle piece.

1. Alec Bohm: Batted .367 at Lakewood. Scored a .395 on-base percentage at Clearwater. Slugged .500 at Reading. Pretty good for his first full season as a pro. Charlie Manuel gives him high marks for his approach as a hitter and thinks he could hit 40 bombs in the big leagues some day. What's not to like?

2. Spencer Howard: Pro scouts treated him like he was invisible in high school. He walked on at college, blossomed, and was drafted in the second round. Now he's got a 98 mph fastball and a fearless demeanor on the mound. Top-of-rotation potential.

3. Mickey Moniak: Takes a ton of abuse on social media because fans expect a No. 1 overall pick to look like Joe Mauer or Bryce Harper. Moniak's not those guys but he'll be a productive big leaguer. Showed at 21 he can compete at a high level.

4. Bryson Stott: The 14th overall pick in June out of UNLV has an impressive hit tool but the jury remains out on his defense. Not everyone's sure he has the arm for shortstop. Batted .274 with .370 on-base average in pro debut at rookie-level Williamsport.

5. Adonis Medina: Showed flashes in his Double-A debut but overall was inconsistent and finished with 4.94 ERA and unimpressive strikeout numbers. Entered season as top pitching prospect in system before Howard blew past him.

6. Francisco Morales: Won just once in 15 starts for Lakewood but at 19 he was young for the league and showed progress, posting a 3.29 ERA in the second half. Averaged 12.0 strikeouts per nine.

7. Simon Muzziotti: Impressive showing in Florida State League for the 20-year-old outfielder, who earned an All-Star nod and finished strong, batting .295 in the second half.

8. Damon Jones: Left-hander sizzled in Clearwater (1.54 ERA) and Reading (0.82) but struggled, like others, with slick major league ball at Triple-A. Hard thrower with bullpen potential.

9. Erik Miller: Fourth-round pick in June out of Stanford pitched at three levels and finished with some strong starts at Lakewood. Right-hander with 97 mph heater.

10. Connor Seabold: A strained oblique cost the former third-round pick most of his season but he was terrific after arriving in Reading in late July, with a 2.25 ERA over seven starts.

The complete top 30 for the survey looked like this...

2019 Phillies prospect list

(with position, highest minor league level)

1. Alec Bohm, 3B, Reading

2. Spencer Howard, P, Reading

3. Mickey Moniak, OF, Reading

4. Bryson Stott, SS, Williamsport

5. Adonis Medina, P, Reading

6. Francisco Morales, P, Lakewood

7. Simon Muzzioti, OF, Clearwater

8. Damon Jones, P, Lehigh Valley

9. Erik Miller, P, Lakewood

10. Connor Seabold, P, Reading

11. Deivy Grullon, C, Lehigh Valley

12. JoJo Romero, P, Lehigh Valley

13. Rafael Marchan, C, Clearwater

14. Enyel De Los Santos, P, Lehigh Valley

15. Luis Garcia, SS, Lakewood

16. David Parkinson, P, Reading

17. Nick Maton, 2B, Reading

18. Connor Brogdon, P, Lehigh Valley

19. Jhailyn Ortiz, OF, Clearwater

20. Mauricio Llovera, P, Reading

21. Kyle Glogoski, P, Clearwater

22. Cole Irvin, P, Lehigh Valley

23. Kyle Dohy, P, Lehigh Valley

24. Colton Eastman, P, Reading

25. Edgar Garcia, P, Lehigh Valley

26. Darick Hall, 1B, Reading

27. Austi Listi, 3B, Lehigh Valley

28. Kendall Simmons, SS, Williamsport

29. Johan Rojas, OF, Williamsport

30. Josh Stephen, OF, Reading

Remarkably, the two players that were honored last week by the Phillies as the organization's top minor league performers, Bohm and pitcher Ethan Lindow, had very different results in the survey. The 23-year-old righty batter, who was the Phils' 1st round pick last year, clearly came in ranked as the top guy while the lefty pitching 20-year-old missed the list completely.

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