Along with this year's rankings, Law also provided the archives to his lists from 2008 through this year. What I found was a direct correlation to why the Phillies are not projected to be as successful this year as they have been the last few years. From the years 2012-2014, only six Phillies minor leaguers made the list, including the 3 from this year. The 2014 prospects are Shortstop JP Crawford (48th on the list), 3B/1B Maikel Franco (63rd) and LHP Jesse Biddle (77th). In 2013, only two guys made the list; LHP Adam Morgan (92nd) and, once again, Jesse Biddle, this time ranking 95th. However, 2012 was even more dire, with only 1 player making the top 100 list (RHP Trevor May, 76th overall). Trevor May is currently in the Twins' system while Adam Morgan has been going through some shoulder problems, which doesn't bode well for his future. The farm system is slowly improving, but it will take some time before the current top 100 all reach the MLB level.
2011 was a great year for the Phillies in Law's rankings, which listed 5 players from Philadelphia's farm system. Number 3 on the entire list was Domonic Brown, who is not only at the Major League level, but is one of the bigger contributors for the Phillies. They also had prospects occupying the number 27 and 34 slots. Their names were Johnathan Singleton and Jarred Cosart. While Singleton is currently at the AAA level and should expect a call up to the majors either this season or next, Cosart came up in the second half of last season and gave his team a 1.95 ERA in 10 starts. But not for the Phillies though. Both are on the Astros roster after the Hunter Pence trade in 2011. Don't get me wrong, I completely understand that it was a win now move for the Phillies, but to trade two top prosepcts for a guy who only played in 155 games for your organization is a tough move to defend. If they planned on keeping Pence for a while longer it could possibly be worth it, but Cosart and Singleton will be big contributors for their teams in the future.
Although the system has been bare ever since that trade, the Phillies do have a few intriguing pieces in their system. I will quickly go through each of the three on the list to get everyone more familiar with the (possible) future Phillies.
J.P. Crawford: Shortstop -Drafted 16th overall in 2013 draft -19 years old
The Phillies had the 16th overall pick in the last draft, and chose a potential future star with it. After being projected to possibly go in the top 10, Crawford fell right into the Phillies' lap. He is a very raw player who needs to work on his overall strength, so don't expect a major league appearance for at least a couple of years. He has a great eye in the batter's box and has a knack for getting on base. He could be a future leadoff or 2 hitter for the Phils.
Maikel Franco: Third Base/ First Base -Signed out of the Dominican Republic -21 years old
Franco smashed 31 homers in the minor leagues in 2013, which will give the Phillies a power bat soon. He doesn't strike out too often, but still needs work on hitting off-speed pitches. Although he came into the system as a third baseman, the Phillies will likely move him to first when he gets called up eventually.
Jesse Biddle: Left Handed Pitcher -Drafted 27th overall in 2010 -22 years old
A Philly native, Biddle is likely to get the call to the majors sometime this year. He has a mid-90's fastball and a curveball which can be devastating for lefties to hit. He missed quite a few games due to illness last season but looks ready to play now. Biddle should be a solid middle of the rotation starter for the Phils for years to come.
The three prospects mentioned above should definitely help the team out some, but the Phillies will need to keep cultivating their farm system and produce some home grown talent in order to complete the rebuild and emerge as a contender again one day.
By: Dan Goggin
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