Philadelphia Phillies: Minor Grades Show Minimal Improvement, Empty Cupboard

The good news first: What’s actually growing in the Phillies farm system is rich and healthy and improving. According to Keith Law‘s midseason Minor League Top 50, RHP Jarred Cosart and Jonathan Singleton have developed since May.

Cosart came in at No. 17, halving the field in front of him since the year began. Singleton measured at No .24, a marginal but notable three-spot jump.

Now for the bad news: That list has been hollowed since the beginning of the season, as players likely to expend their 2012 rookie eligibility (like Domonic Brown) were omitted. That undermines the seeming mass leapfrog that shot Cosart up 17 slots.

And for the obvious: That’s it for Philadelphia’s crop.

Other notable prospects like LHP Jesse Biddle, RHP Julio Rodriguez, C Sebastian Valle and OFs Aaron Altherr and Jiwan James, touted as the finest of the lower levels, did not make the cut.

Six teams had more farm system players on the list, with Toronto‘s four being the highest tally. The other five ahead of the Phils—Tampa, St. Louis, Minnesota, Kansas City and the Yankees—had three prospects apiece.

Division contenders weren’t among them, with the Braves having two, and Mets and Marlins one.

Milwaukee, Oakland and the Chicago’s have no Top 50 pipelining talent, according to Law.

That’s important to recognize: This is just one guy’s opinion.

Still, it is that of the most credible scout in baseball, and one who bases his opinions on copious amounts of film study and scout report reading/writing, and countless conversations with executives, coaches and scouts you haven’t access to.

In other words: Dude’s word matters.

As does this list.

Baseball men burn through stats and reports and opinions like Brian Wilson does patience. They’ll see this list, for sure.

The list doesn’t change much for the Phillies. They know the numbers. They’ve seen the talent. They have the plans.

But for the average, casual fan, this gleans a lot we didn’t know.

Listen: We’re more-than-versed in how thin the ranks are, and have been so long as Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt were brought in during deals that cleaned the farm system out. Save for the the other “Baby Aces” other suits, Brody Colvin and Trevor May, the team doesn’t have depth for reinforcement or dealing.

Singleton has been promising, but very Ryan Howard-esque, with a humble batting average (.280) and on-base percentage (.386) that you think his home runs (7) and RBIs (39) would compensate for.

Not sure they do. With 74, Singleton has already passed his 2010 total from Single-A Lakewood, and 35 games quicker. 

For those reaching for the “Clearwater presents tougher competition” card, note that the rest of his line is level. Almost the same average (-0.10), and OBP (-0.06), with slight dips from last year’s power numbers, 14 HR and 77 RBI.

For Singleton, the No. 1 first baseman, that’s fine—from a 19-year-old up-and-comer and possible Howard replacement, given that Singleton will crest at about the same time Howard’s deal finishes.

But for someone you might mull shopping in a Heath Bell and Ryan Ludwick deal, not so much. Not bad, just a little lacking.

As for Cosart, the No. 10 pitcher on the list (No. 9 righty), you can’t complain. He’s 7-7 with a 3.51 ERA and a 2-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 17 games. You’d like that WHIP down—1.211 is a little high—but it could be higher.

Other notes:

Many believed the “Year of the Pitcher” was bound to go generational already. Of the 50 on this list, 68 percent were pitchers (22 RHP, 5 LHP). That’s likely a self-perpetuating cycle, with the league’s recent emphasis on pitching changing Law’s valuation system.

Still, it reflects a transition from the Steroid to Slinger Eras. Hope you’re a fan of two-hour games with as many runs…

Infielders accounted for only 11 players, with base position players getting two nods each, and five short stops. Five outfielders and four catchers also made the cut.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com