Philadelphia Phillies’ Top Ten Prospects: Numbers Five to One

This is the second in a two-part series on the Philadelphia Phillies ‘ top ten prospects heading into 2010.

 

5. Phillippe Aumont

Often times, we get an opportunity to discuss the fine athletes from our neighbors to the north in Canada. Usually, they are gifted stars on the hockey rink. 

It was never that way for Phillippe Aumont, who fell in love with baseball growing up in Quebec. 

The 11th pick by Seattle in the 2007 draft, Aumont, 21, now finds himself in Philadelphia, acquired via the Phillies‘ trade of Cliff Lee to the Mariners. 

It’s hard to miss the right-hander, who is 6’7″, 220 pounds and has an impressive arsenal of pitches to back up his imposing frame. 

He made his minor league debut in 2008, posting an impressive 2.75 ERA in 15 games (eight starts) in Single A Wisconsin. 

He battled with a sore elbow in the second half of 2008, but it was not seen as a serious concern. However, some have said that Aumont will need to alter his mechanics to ensure long-term health. 

Heading into 2009, the Mariners made a controversial decision to make Aumont a full-time bullpen piece. 

Aumont responded well in High Desert, pitching 33.1 innings, allowing just 24 hits and striking out 35 while walking 12 coming out of the pen. It earned him a promotion to Double A West Tennessee, where he struggled with control, walking 11 in 17.2 innings pitched en route to a 5.09 ERA. 

The good news? Aumont struck out 24 batters in those 17.2 innings, and had an incredibly unlucky .436 BABIP. 

The Phillies have already stated that Aumont will be a starter this season, although it’s unknown where he will begin in the organization’s minor league ladder. 

Aumont could become a premier strikeout pitcher, as evidenced by his minor league statistics and his blazing heater that can reach up to 95 MPH. 

He also possesses a sharp spike curve, which he used effectively in the 2009 World Baseball Classic while pitching for Canada. 

His third pitch, a change-up, will have to be improved this season for him to make an impact in the majors by 2011. 

 

4. Trevor May

It’s hard not to like what the Phillies’ 4th round pick in the 2008 draft has done so far. 

A meteoric rise up the Phillies’ top prospect list is good news for one Trevor May, a 6’5″ flamethrower out of Kelso, Washington.  

Despite having a commitment to play college baseball at the University of Washington, the Phillies convinced him to sign. He debuted in rookie ball at the end of the 2008 campaign, pitching 12 innings, allowing 11 hits, striking out 11, and walking seven. 

Despite a back injury which held him out for all of spring training and some of the 2009 season, the Phillies thought highly enough of May to have him skip Clearwater and head straight to High-A Lakewood. 

The right-hander was at the top of the list amongst players available from Washington at the time of the draft, and it’s not hard to know why. 

May possesses a heavy fastball that sits in the 91-93 MPH range, along with a good breaking curveball. It’s said that his change-up needs work, but he seemed to get by well enough in Lakewood last season. 

May went 4-1 with a 2.56 ERA in 15 starts with the Blue Claws, striking out 95 batters in just 77.1 innings. He will have to cut down on the walks, as he gave up 43 bases on balls and struggled with his control at times. 

That being said, May’s minor league experiences thus far have been nothing short of excellent. 

 

3. J.C. Ramirez

Juan Carlos Ramirez was said to be the one prospect that the Phillies had targeted highly when scouring through the Mariners’ organization for potential talent. 

Also acquired as part of the Lee trade, Ramirez comes into 2010 as the Phillies’ highest rated pitching prospect. 

Ramirez is a 6’3″, 225 pound right-hander from Nicaragua and already has a lengthy track record in the minor leagues, having thrown 341.2 innings over the past three seasons. 

Just 21 years of age, Ramirez will likely be assigned to Double-A Reading to begin the season. 

That could be a bit of a challenge for a guy who posted a 5.12 ERA last year in 142.1 innings for High Desert of the California League. 

While Aumont succeeded in High Desert, Ramirez did not. It is well known to skew towards hitters, however, and is considered one of the worst pitcher’s parks in the minor leagues. 

Ramirez’s fastball usually sits in the low 90’s, but is capable of hitting about 96 MPH on the gun. His slider is his best secondary pitch, but he lacks control of it at times. 

ESPN’s Keith Law has given Ramirez high praise, saying that he could become a steady front end of the rotation starter in the Bigs. 

However, if he can’t gain control of his slider or develop his change-up any further, Ramirez could be looking at a career in the bullpen. 

 

2. Tyson Gillies

Tyson Gillies has gotten used to people underestimating his abilities on the baseball field. 

A 25th round pick by Seattle in the 2006 draft, Gillies is the third and final piece that came to Philadelphia in the Lee trade. 

Playing at a disadvantage has been a storyline of Gillies’ career, seeing that he is legally deaf. He wears a hearing aid in both ears and reads lips to assist him on the base paths. 

Oh, and he’s pretty good, too. 

At 21 years of age, the Canadian-born Gillies is getting ready for takeoff in the minors. 

Another 2009 High Desert product, Gillies, who can play all three outfield positions, took advantage of the fact that the Mavericks had one of the best hitter’s parks in all of the minors by posting a .341/.430/.486 season. 

Speed is a big part of Gillies’ game, and he proved that last year with 14 triples in 124 games. He also had 44 steals, but was caught 19 times. If there’s one thing Phillies first base coach Davey Lopes has stressed over the past few years, it’s that patience and picking spots is important to base stealing. 

Should Lopes get his hands on Gillies this spring, they will have a lot to talk about. 

He has become a very good line drive hitter and, at 6’1″ and 200 pounds, has a very strong lower body. However, those who have watched him play say he needs work using that lower body to the best of its ability. 

He has drawn comparisons to Curtis Granderson from Seattle scouts.

Those comparisons may be a little baseless considering the fact that Granderson has proven he can hit anywhere between 20 and 30 homers, but Gillies does still have time to fill out his body for some extra power. 

 

1. Domonic Brown

Every team hopes they have one. 

Every team wishes for that crown jewel in their minor league system that makes all of their other prospects seem trivial. 

The Phillies have that man in the form of Domonic Brown, their tall, lanky, stud outfielder who has drawn comparisons to Daryl Strawberry. 

Seeing outfielder Michael Taylor in person was impressive, but seeing Brown is equally, if not more so, impressive and intriguing. 

At 6’5″ and 204 pounds, Brown, who bats and throws from the left, has made a name for himself since the Phillies called it in the 20th round of the 2006 draft. 

It’s funny that, even though he had made a name for himself, people still got it wrong. 

See, halfway through this season, after a mammoth effort in a game in Reading, it was pointed out by Reading Phillies PR man Rob Hackash that Brown’s first name is spelled “Domonic”, not “Dominic”, as many had been using throughout his minor league career. 

He had never taken the liberty to correct it until this season. 

Point taken, Mr. Brown. 

So often, teams will take a flier on a player in a later round, even if they feel they have a snowball’s chance in Hades to sign him. 

While there was a very good chance Brown was on his way to Miami to play football, he ended up signing a relatively hefty $200,000 bonus with the Phillies to pursue his baseball career. It was a small price to pay to get Brown into the system. 

Now crowned as the Phillies’ top prospect, Brown has a lot on his plate. 

Thus far, his minor league career has seen him post a .288/.368/.430 line, but he did have a .517 slugging percentage in Clearwater last year, with plenty of hope that he can become a true power hitter in the Majors. 

He earned a promotion to Reading towards the back end of the minor league season, and hit .279/.346/.456, showing he could hang with the big boys. 

He will be 22 come opening day, and will likely start the season in Reading. 

Often the subject of trade rumors, the Phillies made it clear to everyone and their mothers that Brown was never available. 

He is a unique talent and, should he fill out his body and continue to improve on his power numbers, he could be a true middle-of-the-order threat for the Phillies in the near future. 

How near is that future for Brown? If he does have a breakout year and Jayson Werth decides to walk in free agency, it would come as no surprise to see Brown patrolling the outfield in 2011. 

Until then, Brown will continue to toil in the minors, making life miserable for opposing pitchers. 

Oh, and make sure you spell his name right. 

 

 

 

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Phillies “Hollywood” Hamels Needs To Ring The Bell When Season Starts

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels experienced a serious drop in production in 2009, finishing a mediocre 10-11 during the regular season, and getting knocked out early in the World Series loss to the Yankees.

It was a far cry from the 2008 World Series MVP, when he went 2-0 and a 1.93 ERA vs. the Dodgers in the NLCS and 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in the World Series against Tampa Bay.

He likely could have gone 2-0 in the World Series if Commissioner Bud Selig halted Game 5 of the World Series with the Phillies leading, 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth. Nope, the commish had to wait until the game was tied in the top of the sixth, when during a heavy rainstorm, Hamels could throw only his fastball.

Anyway,I keep thinking about the Cliff Lee trade when the Phillies obtained Roy Halladay.

It was made because of the money and prospects. But it was also made because it is my belief that Cole Hamels could not take the perception of the being the No. 3 in the rotation.

In the forthcoming Sporting News cover story on Halladay, the ace gives high praise to Hamels. Charlie Manuel makes sure to mention Hamels will be a different pitcher from a year ago.

Hamels reportedly is adding a split fastball to go with his fastball, curve, and slider.

While fans would drool over a rotation of Halladay, Lee, Hamels, and Joe Blanton/J.A. Happ, a rotation of Halladay, Hamels, Blanton and Happ is one I could go to war with.

Ok, Hollywood, if you want to be the No. 2 on the staff, the pressure is on.

Imagine Halladay picking up 20 wins, Hamels 17, Blanton 16 and Happ 14. That’s 67 wins in a 162 game season. Madson with eight, Romero with five and Lidge with six would make 86 wins.

Hamels’ success would soften the Lee trade.

Following the 2008 season, Hamels, as the Series MVP, went on the banquet and television tour, appearing on shows like Letterman and Ellen.

This year the new father can focus on his family and baseball training.

It is a critical factor to getting back to the playoffs, league championship and World Series.

A week or two after the Lee trade happened, I thought and thought about the reason why the Phillies got rid of Lee in a separate deal from the Halladay trade.

And as I’ve stated before, I kept coming back to Cole Hamels.

Another sub .500 season could mean another National League East title, but a first or second-round outage in the playoffs.

A return to the 14-10 season of 2008 is a start. Or the 15-5 season in 2007.

A 17-win season would be even better.

Will he be “Hollywood” or hollow hope?

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Philadelphia Phillies Fans Still Trying to Swallow the Cliff Lee Trade

Seattle Mariners‘ pitcher Cliff Lee popped up in the news this week when it was announced that he had minor foot surgery.  Although Lee surely has experienced some discomfort, the news may have struck a more painful nerve with Phillies fans. 

 

After the tandem blockbuster deals were announced in December that brought Roy Halladay to Philadelphia and sent Lee to Seattle, a large flurry of debate ensued throughout the world of Major League Baseball. It paled in comparison, though, to the torrent of polarizing opinions, contentious discussions, and deep lament that the Lee trade ignited within the Philadelphia media and fanbase.  

 

For many Phillies faithful, merely hearing and reading the words “Seattle Mariners'” attached to Lee’s name tends to inflame December’s stabbing pain that subsided into January’s throbbing discomfort that begot February’s dull ache. If not for the narcotic effect of landing Halladay, area hospitals may have been operating on a wait list. 

 

As I wrote in a post in mid-December (“Halladay is Great, But Really Sorry to See Lee Go “), Lee had become a quick fan favorite, recognized as a truly special talent with a personality that was seemingly custom made for Philadelphia. The city had embraced him, man crushes had proliferated, and nobody saw a near term divorce coming. 

 

And, certainly, the notion that the team could have had both pitchers in their rotation, but instead chose to re-stock their farm system and manage down their 2010 payroll, still remains a bitter pill to swallow. It seems the best that many Phillies fans have been able to do at this point is meekly acquiesce to the logic set forth by Ruben Amaro, some sports radio jockeys, and a handful of the media. 

 

But, despite almost two months passing, the nagging feeling still persists that it just did not have to turn out this way. As much of a coupe it was last July to land the 2008 American League Cy Young winner—Amaro erased it, and then some, in one knee-jerk decision.  

 

In fact, it would not be a stretch to say that the Cliff Lee deal with Seattle could go down as the worst trade in Phillies history, especially considering what is at stake. 

 

With a universally acknowledged and historically rare window of opportunity as a leading championship contender, dealing away one of the game’s best pitchers in his prime to stock for the future rings hollow at best. Only time will tell if the three prospects received from the Mariners pan out to be of collective commensurate value, but we will never know how 2010 would have played out for the Phillies with Lee.  

 

At this juncture, it is difficult to believe that those three less than elite minor leaguers are the best that Amaro could have garnered for a Cy Young pitcher who dazzled throughout the postseason just weeks earlier. One pitcher has had arm problems in his first two professional seasons, another had a 5.12 ERA, and the other projects as a fourth outfielder—and none are close to being major league ready. 

 

Besides foregoing being the favorite to win it all this season with Lee in tow, and the continuing possibility of resigning him, the Phillies essentially only netted one additional long range prospect once free agent compensatory picks are factored in.  

 

Doing the math, that amounts to trading the services of Lee for 2010 for one low level minor league prospect. Does that possibly make any sense?

 

Accordingly, this suggests that finances were the biggest part of the equation with the payroll projecting to be in the $140-150 million range. But, do you give away one of the best players in baseball to clear payroll when you are sitting on potentially the greatest team in the history of the franchise? 

Again, it is hard to believe that there were no other means to bring the payroll into the currently established range. The most visible solution would have involved moving Joe Blanton and his $8 million salary. The solid, inning eating Blanton surely could have fetched one prospect, couldn’t he?  

 

Perhaps negotiating a buyout with Jamie Moyer to save some dollars and free him to negotiate with another team willing to give him a shot at being a starter was a possibility? Perhaps, the team could have approached some of its higher paid veterans with the carrot of fielding a team for the ages and renegotiated to back load some salary? 

 

Did anyone contact Comcast or WPHL? Where’s Bill Giles when you need him? 

 

Heck, Phillies fans probably would have been willing to “pass the hat” at every game to go toward the “Save Cliff” fund. Seriously. 

 

The bottom line is simple. When you have a special player, particularly one who marvelously adds to the team’s chemistry—you find a way to keep him. 

 

Regrettably, turning back the clock is not an option. The deal is done—but to hear Lee’s name associated with another team still pings raw nerves of Phillies fans—because it still just makes so little sense.  

 

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Philadelphia Phillies’ Top Ten Prospects 2010: Numbers Ten to Six

This is the first in a two-part series on the Philadelphia Phillies‘ top ten prospects heading into 2010.

In baseball, a lot can change in a short period of time.

Last year at this time, the Phillies‘ prospect list included names such as Carlos Carrasco, Lou Marson, Jason Donald, Jason Knapp, Kyle Drabek, Michael Taylor, and Travis D’Arnaud.

Due to two shrewd trades by General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr., for Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay respectively, the Phillies’ minor league system may have had the greatest shake-up of any team’s in the last year.

The Phillies traded Carrasco, Marson, Donald, and Knapp to the Cleveland Indians for Lee and Ben Francisco days before the 2009 trade deadline, which already had many buzzing about what the Phillies’ new prospect list would look like come this spring.

Months later, enter Roy Halladay; exit Drabek, Taylor, and D’Arnaud.

Sure, the Phillies do not have the same quality or quantity of prospects as they did a year ago at this time, but it is the price a team pays to upgrade for the opportunity to win now.

However, with the trading of Lee to the Seattle Mariners, it brought the Phillies three new prospects, all appearing on the new top ten list.

Yes, it would have been nice to have Lee, Halladay, and Cole Hamels anchor the Phillies’ staff in 2010.

Had Amaro not made the trade, however, the Phillies’ minor league system would have been depleted for years to come.

With players like Raul Ibanez and Chase Utley getting older, and players such as Jayson Werth potentially looking for mammoth contracts this off-season, the trade was a necessary evil to re-stock the Phillies’ farm system.

Without further ado, the Philadelphia Phillies’ 2010 top ten prospects:

 

10. Antonio Bastardo

A potential bullpen pitcher in 2010, Antonio Bastardo cracks the edge of the list based on the fact that he still has prospect status.

He made his Major League debut last year on June 2 in a start against San Diego, and was brilliant in the process, pitching six innings and allowing just one run in his victorious first game.

Amaro announced a few weeks ago that Bastardo will now be a full-time bullpen pitcher, and he has an opportunity to grab one of the open spots in spring training. 

The Phillies originally signed Bastardo as an amateur free agent in 2007. 

He rose quickly through the Phillies’ system, starting 14 games in Double-A Reading in 2008 and posting a 3.76 ERA in 67 innings.

Bastardo threw his fastball almost exclusively last year, which sits in the 90-92 MPH range, touching the mid 90’s at times. 

There have been concerns about his ability to hit those numbers consistently, but if the Phillies don’t overwork him, he can be used effectively.

He has put on about 30 pounds since the Phillies signed him as a lanky kid in the Dominican Republic, giving him increased durability and stamina this year.

He will work on developing a slider, along with a change-up, in 2010.

He will have to do that to survive as a bullpen pitcher, as hitters quickly picked up on his propensity for the fastball in 2009.

9. Jarred Cosart

There were a number of people who believed Jarred Cosart was unsignable when the Phillies selected him in the 38th round of the 2008 draft.

He was committed to Missouri, and it was rumored that he wanted a lot of money to sign.

He did sign (for $550,000) and the Phillies’ system is more fruitful today because of it.

Cosart was scouted as an outfielder and as a pitcher out of Clear Creek High (TX) with supreme athletic ability.

The Phillies have converted him to pitching full-time, and Cosart, who will turn 20 in May, performed very well in rookie ball last season.

The 6’3″, 180-pound right-hander pitched in seven games (five starts) for Clearwater in the Gulf Coast League, and allowed just 12 hits in 24.1 innings.

Cosart also struck out 25 batters en route to posting a 2.22 ERA in his first experience in the minors.

Perfect Game USA described Cosart as such: “unbelievable arm strength, quick clean arm action on the mound nice extension, sharp 11 to 5 curveball, curveball is an out pitch, nice sink and run on change-up, feel for three above average pitches.”

Cosart possesses a clean, downhill delivery which allows for maximum velocity on his fastball, which can reach the mid 90’s. 

Add that in with a body that is still growing, and Cosart could become a dominant power pitcher down the road.

While likely being at least three years from the Major Leagues, he is one to keep an eye on.

8. Domingo Santana

Although the Phillies just signed Domingo Santana as an amateur free agent last March, and though he is just 17 years of age, what he has done thus far warrants his spot on this list.

Scouted heavily by the Yankees along with the Phillies, the Phightin’s snatched him up for $300,000 in a hotly contested bidding war for the right fielder.

The Dominican-born Santana is a young 6’5″, 200-pounder.

While the Phillies have always been tepid regarding the international market, they felt they could not pass up a player of Santana’s potential.

He played 37 games in the Gulf Coast League for Clearwater, and posted an impressive slash line of .288/.388/.508 while hitting six homers and driving in 28 runs. 

If there is one negative against Santana, it could be his ability to put the ball in play, as he struck out 44 times in 118 at-bats.

However, many have raved about Santana’s throwing arm, along with his ability to run the bases, which could rank him much higher on next year’s list.

Sometimes, there just isn’t a whole lot of information to go off of when ranking these players, and Santana is a perfect example.

7. Sebastian Valle

With Marson and D’Arnaud no longer in the Phillies’ system, all eyes are on Sebastian Valle as the catcher of the future.

Sometimes it can be unfair to just assume that he will be just that because the catching depth in the Phillies’ system is razor-thin. Nonetheless, Valle’s name shoots to the top of the list. 

Valle certainly has the tools and the potential to turn into a decent player.

For the Phillies, the Mexican-born Valle is one of three players on this list to be signed as an amateur free agent.

At 19 years of age, he has only been catching for a couple of years, but the Phillies are hoping he will develop into a good game-caller.

He was signed for his bat, and has shown good power to the gaps, with 42 doubles in the past two years in the minors.

He spent the first part of 2009 in the New York-Penn League with Williamsport (Low-A), and posted an impressive .307/.335/.531 slash line, earning him a promotion to Lakewood (High-A).

The results there weren’t as sparkling, as he hit just .213 in 157 at-bats.

In the past couple of years, the Phillies have seen the maturation process of catcher Carlos Ruiz, who has done a brilliant job handling the pitching staff.

Valle will have to prove that he can do the same if he hopes to have a chance at becoming a Major Leaguer.

6. Anthony Gose

For years, there has been a stigma throughout baseball that the Phillies front office has a love of “toolsy” players with great athletic ability.

Seeing that they have drafted Zach Collier, Anthony Hewitt, Domonic Brown, Tim Moss, and Reggie Taylor over the years, you could say it’s true.

Anthony Gose is another player in that mold, and is making inroads in the organization.

With the departure of Taylor to Oakland, Gose becomes the third-highest ranked outfielder in the system.

In terms of speed, Gose is a once-in-a-lifetime talent. The question remains as to whether or not he can become a well-rounded baseball player.

A second-round pick in the 2008 draft, the Phillies had high hopes for Gose going into last season. At 6’1″, 190-pounds, Gose is projected as a center fielder.

He hit .259 last year, with a .323 on-base percentage and .353 slugging percentage. You can almost hear the Juan Pierre comparisons already.

However, one thing he has going for him is his arm, as he had 13 outfield assists in 2009, something Pierre can only dream about doing in his sleep.

Amazingly, Gose stole 76 bases last year, leading all of the minors in that category. It’s an impressive feat for a guy who only got on base 32.3% of the time.

He’ll have to work on his plate discipline and his contact skills, as he struck out 110 times last year, walking just 35 times.

However, Gose could some day be patrolling the center field area at Citizens Bank Park, but is likely at least two years away from making an impact.

 

 

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