With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training on Feb. 14, a number of prospects in the Philadelphia Phillies organization will get their chance to display their talents throughout camp.
In preparation for Clearwater, Phillies Nation has put together its latest rankings of the top players in the Phillies farm system.
As stated in previous versions of this prospect list, assessments of these prospects are based on the play the Phillies Nation staff has seen covering these players in-person, analysis of film, conversations with scouts, coaches and other player development personnel and information from outlets such as Baseball America, FanGraphs and MLB Pipeline.
1. Andrew Painter, RHP
While he may not take a major-league field until 2025, the 6-foot-7 Painter has the ace-level upside to still make him the top prospect in the Philadelphia system. The 2021 first-round pick appeared poised to make the big-league roster as a 19-year-old last spring before injuring his right elbow, eventually undergoing Tommy John surgery in July. And while he’ll spend the 2024 season recovering and rehabbing, Painter will provide an impact whenever he returns and will only have room to grow moving forward from that point.
2. Aidan Miller, 3B
Miller, 19, was drafted No. 27 overall in the 2023 draft, likely falling a bit due to injury. But the Phillies appear to be the beneficiaries of that dip in draft stock as they can help the advanced right-hander hitter develop. He’s currently playing third base, with solid power and more that he can potentially tap into in his 6-foot-2 frame.
3. Mick Abel, RHP
Abel was a first-round pick in 2020, showing the flashes throughout his minor-league career but struggling with control issues. The 22-year-old has an advanced arsenal of pitches, yet the inconsistencies in his strike-throwing ability have kept him from making a real push for the big leagues so far. There’s a good chance he could make his major-league debut as a spot starter in 2024, and his potential to be a very useful mid-rotation arm — at least — is still there if he can throw more strikes.
4. Justin Crawford, OF
The son of former All-Star Carl Crawford, the 20-year-old is an impressive defensive center fielder and baserunner with very good bat-to-ball and contact abilities. The issue for Crawford at this stage is his tendency to hit the ball on the ground at a high rate. If he can change the trajectory and quality of his contact to a certain degree, he can be a highly productive and dynamic player.
5. Orion Kerkering, RHP
Of course, it fell apart in the playoffs for the right-hander reliever the Phillies fast-tracked to the bigs at the end of the season, but Kerkering’s rise and his early outings showed that he has the power stuff to dominate. Although the movement and execution dwindled as he ran out of gas, the flame-throwing righty certainly has the makings of a future closer type.
6. Starlyn Caba, SS
An 18-year-old shortstop, Caba has a tremendous combination of bat-to-ball skills and special defensive prowess. The left-handed hitter has a long way to go as such a young prospect, but his skillset provides an extremely good base as he rises through the minors.
7. Bryan Rincon, SS
Rincon is a 19-year-old shortstop with advanced on-base ability. A switch hitter, he controls the strike zone and has some speed on the bases while playing a solid defensive shortstop as well.
8. Gabriel Rincones Jr., OF
A strong 22-year-old corner outfielder with real power from the left side of the plate, Rincones got a bit of a late start to his professional career due to injury after being selected in the third round in 2022. He’ll need to make more contact in order to put it all together, but the pop will be noticeable if he can.
9. Eduardo Tait, C
At only 17, Tait has the makings of a bat-first regular catcher in the future; he has serious power as a left-handed hitter. Of course, he’s far from the big leagues at this point and will need to improve his contact and develop defensively. But the archetype and potential are there.
10. Alex McFarlane, RHP
A 22-year-old power-pitching righty, McFarlane seemed to be putting it together as a starter early on in 2023 in the minors. But he tailed off as the season went on, and ultimately ended up needing Tommy John surgery, according to FanGraphs. With this delay in his development, perhaps he moves to the bullpen when he returns in 2025, when his electric stuff could make him the next Phillies minor-league candidate to get the fast track to Philadelphia.
11. Griff McGarry, RHP
McGarry, 24, was once considered among the top arms in the system along with Painter and Abel. But his 2023 season was disastrous, and a move to the bullpen is probably necessary. The control is the big issue, and it’s likely only highlighted as a starter. It could still be problematic as a reliever, but his stuff could still play out of the bullpen if he can regroup this year.
12. Carlos De La Cruz, 1B/OF
De La Cruz is a 24-year-old with a knack for hitting the ball out of the yard. The power is there and it could be impactful, but the 6-foot-8 slugger’s strikeout problems probably prevent him from reaching his theoretical ceiling.
13. William Bergolla Jr., SS
Bergolla, 19, is another left-handed-hitting shortstop with an advanced hit tool. He doesn’t have the same defensive ability as a prospect like Caba and doesn’t project for much power, but avoids swings and misses.
14. Christian McGowan, RHP
A seventh-rounder in 2021, McGowan returned from Tommy John last season and slowly built his arm back up. It looks like the Phillies will give him a chance to start, but a move to the bullpen could eventually come for the 23-year-old and his power sinker.
15. TJayy Walton, OF
A fourth-round pick in last year’s draft, the 18-year-old Walton has an advanced approach and hit tool. The corner outfielder makes hard contact, but will need to develop his power.
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