The Philadelphia Phillies did not have the season they wanted. The major offseason signing of Bryce Harper and JT Realmuto did not produce the results that were expected. Aaron Nola had a decent season but did take a step back from the year before and the rest of the pitching staff did not produce desirable results.
With that said, the Phillies do have a few young names in the system that could help produce better results in 2020.
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Spencer Howard (SP)
He’s the top prospect in the Phillies organization and one of my favorite starting pitching prospects in the minors. In 2019 Howard started 15 games across three different levels and logged 71 innings 2.03 ERA 94 Ks and 16 BBs. Howard has touched triple digits with his fastball and sat 95-98 in the Arizona Fall League. His slider is a plus strikeout pitch with a changeup that has potential to be a plus pitch as well. He also throws a curveball that is not as exciting as the other three offerings.
With the Phillies rotation being mediocre at best, Howard could spend most of his time in the big-league rotation as the Phillies try to make it back to the playoffs. There is ace upside with Howard if he can stay healthy, he should provide strikeout upside with his plus fastball and slider.
Alec Bohm (3B)
He was drafted third overall in the 2018 MLB draft by the Phillies. I was lower on Bohm than most coming out of the draft, and continue to be, as I have not seen the in-game power that you would like to see from a player with his size.
However, the power potential is there and the numbers in the minors, to this point, have been good. In 2019, in 125 games, across three levels Bohm slashed .305/.378/.518. In 63 games at AA he slashed .269/.344/.500. His AA home park is very hitter-friendly and his numbers away from home are a bit concerning slashing .242/.329/.398 away from home. Bohm is already beginning to work at 1B and is a likely candidate to move their full time.
He will likely start the year with the AAA club, which is another hitter-friendly park and could be making his debut for the big club at some point in 2020. Bohm is one of the higher-rated guys that I am okay fading and or selling if you already own to someone who does like what they have seen from him so far.
Mikey Moniak (OF)
He was the first overall pick in the 2016 MLB draft but has not performed up to those expectations to this point. 2018 was a very poor year slashing .270/.304/.383 and striking out 109 times to only 29 walks. In 2019 there were some improvements as he slashed .252/.303/.439 but still struck out 111 times compared to 33 walks. He is still young, starting this year at only 21 years old, with some power-speed potential. Moniak needs to add strength and show more plate discipline. He would not be the first number one overall pick to bust but I would not write him off quite yet. There are reports that he is building strength so keep an eye early on to see if those offseason workouts are transferring to the field.
Francisco Morales (SP)
He’s an exciting young pitching prospect for the Phillies. Morales is 6’4” 185 pounds and athletic. Morales sits in the mid-90s and can 97 mph with a plus slider that is his out pitch. In 2019 at A ball he started 15 games 96.2 innings 3.82 ERA 129 Ks and 46 BBs. There is still plenty of work for Morales and is more potential than polished but is worth keeping an eye on for dynasty leagues. Even if Morales cannot stick in the rotation, he could be a very solid high-pressure late-inning pitcher with his plus fastball and a wipeout slider.
Additional Names to Watch In 2020
- Adonis Medina (SP) – He was once thought of as the top pitching prospect in the organization. After two mediocre years, things are pointing down for Medina. 2018 – 21 GS 111.1 IP 4.12 ERA 123 Ks and 36 BBs. 2019 – 21 GS 105.2 IP 4.94 ERA 82 Ks 41 BBs. The level up in competition got the best of Medina at AA. Look for Medina to regain his K per inning stuff and he could jump back up the ranks.
- Bryson Stott (SS) – He was selected with the fourteenth overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft. Stott can do not have a standout tool but is solid in all areas. 2019 – 182 PA .274/.370/.446 at rookie ball. Those numbers are very good, but the competition level is mediocre at best. Keep an eye to see if he can repeat these numbers as he moves up the organizational ladder.