With pitchers and catchers officially reporting tomorrow, it is time to wrap up our yearly off-season look at the the Phillies Non-Rostered Invitees to Spring Training. Individually, we reviewed the outfield, catchers, infielders, relievers, and wrapped up the starting pitchers yesterday. Think of today’s post as a preseason yearbook, pulling it all together, with superlatives and some bonus ZIPS projections for each player that receives a superlative.
Most Likely To Succeed (Most Likely to Start 2013 with the Phillies)
Humberto Quintero – Quintero was the only player to receive a probability grade of B- or higher to start the year with the Phillies. Quintero is just about a slam dunk to start the year with the Phillies barring injury a big time, unexpected winter improvement from Sebastian Valle.
Most Athletic (Best Tools)
Jermaine Mitchell – Mitchell has valuable speed and defensive tools that, in a vacuum, would be able to beat out, at the very worst, Delmon Young and, in a best case for Mitchell, John Mayberry Jr. Mitchell, 28, is a solid lefty and is an interesting name in camp but probably won’t see time with the Phillies in 2013.
Teacher’s Pet (Player Likely to See More Reps Because of His Potential)
Tommy Joseph – Joseph will have an advantage coming to camp early as part of the pitchers and catchers group and will see extended run in the driver’s seat with either the big club or take an early exit so that he will lead the Minors camp.
Class Clown (Invitation That Made Me Laugh the Hardest)
Yuniesky Betancourt – Yep. He makes himself laugh, too – see photo.
Best Corrective Lenses Choice (The Vance Worley Memorial Award)
Justin Friend – Friend has an excellent chance at seeing time with the Phillies in 2013, even with the jammed bullpen. He also has the best glasses: his prescription safety glasses are among the best in sport.
Class Flirt (AKA the Pete Orr is Always Flirting with the Prospect of Making the Team Award)
Pete Orr – was there any other choice here?
Best Bod (Best Body of Work Before 2013 Phillies Spring Training)
Juan Cruz – Very close race between Cruz and Aaron Cook, but Cruz edges him out in my mind.
Most Likely to be an All-Star (Most Likely to be a Major League All-Star)
Adam Morgan – Don’t get me wrong, Morgan is supremely talented but this award may be a best of the worst kind of thing.
Drama King (Player That Will Cause Most Drama if Called Up)
Michael Martinez – I hear the heads exploding now.
Player I Hope Doesn’t Read What I Said About Him Because He’s Physically Imposing/Impressive
Joe Mather – 6’4, 215 lbs. He’s a big dude and I will likely see him and talk to him at some point at Coca Cola Park. Awkward. Good thing I said nice things about 6’5, 225 lbs Kyle Simon…
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