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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...

Throughout each season, I get opportunities to chat with Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan.  The boss of the Phils' minors is always open and offers solid insight on his players.  This time around I asked Joe to talk about loads of prospects including bust out pitching performers like Jose Taveras, Nick Fanti and Cole Irvin.  He also shared thoughts out the team's past three first round draft picks Adam Haseley, Mickey Moniak and Cornelius Randolph, a trio of outfielders.  Aaron Brown's conversion from outfielder to pitcher was discussed, as was Lakewood offensive stud Darick Hall.  Additionally, he spoke on the organization's acquisitions from the trade deadline, a pair of top performers for the Gulf Coast League team and plenty more.  Read ahead of the interview. Taveras w/ Lakewood in 2016, image- Jay Floyd -Jose Taveras has had an excellent season and has been a lot of fun to watch.  Can you share some thoughts on him? I ...

Just a quick rundown of some noteworthy performers throughout the Phillies minor leagues. Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs-  Hoskins & Kingery, image- Jay Floyd International League All-Star Rhys Hoskins went 1-for-2 with a single and was hit by a pitch in Sunday's MLB All-Star Futures Game.  In 88 games this season, the righty hitting first baseman has a .289 batting average with 20 home runs and 66 RBI. Also in the Futures Game, second baseman Scott Kingery went 0-for-1.  In 12 games since he was promoted to Triple-A, the 23-year-old is batting .306 with four homers, eight RBI and four steals. Right-handed pitcher Tom Eshelman sports a 7-2 record with a 1.96 ERA through 11 starts as a member of the Lehigh Valley rotation.  Eshelman was acquired as part of the Ken Giles trade to Houston in 2015. Double-A Reading Fightin Phils- Third baseman Mitch Walding has been ripping up the opposition of late.  Named the Eastern League player of the month...

Once again, we're back with another weekly rundown of how Phillies players are performing in fall and winter leagues around the globe. Read ahead for all the latest stats and updates. Venezuelan Winter League- Cesar Hernandez, image- Jay Floyd After going 17-for-37 (.459 avg) in his last nine games, infielder Cesar Hernandez is batting .356 with five doubles, 13 RBI and three stolen bases for Lara. In 66 games with the Phillies this year, the 24-year-old switch-hitter batted .237 with a homer, four RBI and a stolen base. Catcher Gabriel Lino is batting .265 with five doubles, four RBI in 19 games for Lara. The 21-year-old, who was acquired from Baltimore in the 2012 Jim Thome trade, played in 90 combined games with Class A Lakewood and Class A Advanced Clearwater this year, posting a combined .215 average with five home runs and 34 RBI. In 13 appearances (six starts) with Lara, lefty hurler Cesar Jimenez has a 2-4 record with a 3.48 ERA while striking out 29 and w...

It's time once again for another weekly review of Phillies players' performances and progress in off-season leagues around the globe. Dominican Winter League- Maikel Franco, image- Jay Floyd Third baseman Maikel Franco has been in a slump lately, going 3-for-27 (.111 avg) over his last seven games. One positive out of that is that two of his three hits during that time are home runs. Overall in 22 games for the Gigantes, the 22-year-old is batting .239 with six homers and 21 RBI. This year in 133 contests with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the righty hitting Franco posted a .257 batting average with 16 home runs and 78 RBI. Right-handed reliever Hector Neris has made 11 scoreless appearances for the Toros while striking out five and walking four in 8 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old appeared in one game with the Phils this year, earning a win in his big league debut. Australian Baseball League- Power hitting outfielder Dylan Cozens has a .205 average with three homer...

On Sunday, I sat down with Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan.  As usual, I bounced as many names as I could his way until I felt as though I may be keeping the former pro catcher and longtime scout from doing the work that he was at the ballpark to do.  Topics of discussion included Adam Morgan 's recovery from shoulder surgery, Cameron Perkins ' slow start at the Triple-A level, Maikel Franco 's turnaround, Dylan Cozens ' emergence and several more prospects. Read ahead for all of Jordan's remarks about some highly regarded prospects. Adam Morgan, image- Jay Floyd -Are there any updates you can share on lefty pitcher Adam Morgan (3rd round pick, 2011), who underwent shoulder surgery last off-season? He's throwing, progressing well. You know, I mean, we're hopeful that during instructional league we may have actually him on the mound, participating. But really, right now, he's doing well. -And righty Shane Watson (suppl...

From time to time I'll post video clips of rising prospects in action or doing pregame work. This round of clips features bullpen footage of Class A Lakewood hurlers Yacksel Rios and Yoel Mecias . Rios, a righty, sports a fastball that has regularly been clocked at 91-92 MPH this season and features nice movement, a quality change up that registers in the low 80's and an improving slider that sits in the upper 80's. BlueClaws pitching coach Les Lancaster asserts that opposing batters generally don't often get good swings against the 21-year-old Puerto Rican, as he hides the ball well with his wind up. Rios was the Phils' 12th round draft choice in 2011. After beginning the season in the Lakewood bullpen, Rios has notched a 3-0 record with a 3.76 ERA in eight starts. Mecias, a left-hander, is a well touted pitching prospect for the Phillies that is bouncing back after undergoing Tommy John surgery last summer. The 20-year-old Venezuelan sports a low 90...

Prior to Class A Lakewood's home contest against Delmarva on Friday, I talked with pitching coach Les Lancaster about several hurlers on the BlueClaws' pitching staff. Lancaster, who pitched seven season in the majors with the Cubs, Tigers and Cardinals, joined the Phillies as a coach in 2011 after managing in the independent leagues for 11 seasons. Pitchers discussed by Lancaster were right-hander Yacksel Rios , who sports a 2-0 record with a 3.52 ERA and a .198 batting average against in six starts since joining the 'Claws' rotation, 19-year-old Tyler Viza and his progress this season, Temple product Matt Hockenberry , last year's 24th round pick righy Will Morris , injured starter Drew Anderson , righty closer Ulises Joaquin and the returning 2013 BlueClaws All-Star Yoel Mecias , who is fresh off Tommy John surgery. Read ahead for Lancaster's comments on the listed topics. Yacksel Rios- Yacksel Rios, Image- Jay Floyd Yeah, Yacksel, I had him...