10. Adonis Medina, RHP
Medina’s value has only gone up since being signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2014. He’s performed well at each step of his professional career, and this year at Single-A Lakewood has been no different. Medina has three solid offerings that he mixes well and can throw all for strikes. While he doesn’t blow hitters away, he has an excellent ability to work around them and induce ground balls. He has more polishing to do, especially his secondary pitches, but Medina is in a great place at 20 years old.
2017 stats: (Single-A Lakewood): 88.1 IP, 4-6, 3.16 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 102 K, 30 BB.
Medina has been impressive in his first full season of professional ball. His 3.16 ERA and 30:102 K:BB are no doubt positive signs, but it’s Medina’s improvement of his other pitches that put him ahead of the curve. The 20-year-old has struck out 27.1 percent of the batters he’s faced, a huge jump from the 12.8 mark he posted last season. He’s added a slider to his repertoire, a pitch that continues to get better. Medina’s last four starts with the Blue Claws have all been quality starts, and he’s struck out 26 batters and has walked just four across them.
9. Franklyn Kilome, RHP
The Phillies signed Kilome as an international free agent in 2013. Since then he’s started to fill into his 6-foot-6 frame and is making adjustments at the Single-A level. His fastball sits in the high 90s and is complemented by a great breaking ball that has improved immensely. He continues to trend upwards and is proving that he belongs in the conversation with the best pitching prospects in the system.
2017 stats: (High-A Clearwater): 91.1 IP, 5-4, 2.66 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 79 K, 37 BB.
Kilome’s numbers are good on the season, but he’s struggled a bit with his control recently. He’s given up more than three runs in just one start this season but has walked at least two batters in all but four. The walks have been one of the few causes for concern on an otherwise impressive season. His strikeout numbers are down from last year as well. Nonetheless, Kilome is limiting the long ball, inducing ground balls and pitching deep into games.
8. Nick Williams, OF
[the_ad id=”384″]The Phillies landed Williams as part of the Cole Hamels deal in 2015. After a disappointing 2016 in the Phillies organization, Williams bounced back in the first half of 2017 and found his way to the big leagues. He has plenty of raw tools to go around and has started to fine-tune them since making his debut.
2017 stats: (Triple-A Lehigh Valley): 78 games, .280/.328/.511, 15 HR, 44 RBI, 43 R, 5 SB, 16 BB, 90 K. (MLB Philadelphia): 26 games, .276/.318/.500, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 12 R, 5 BB, 27 K.
Williams’ first full month in the big leagues is in the books. He’s maintained a .276/.318/.500 slash-line while playing both corner outfield positions. He’s shown some pop as well with four homers and has knocked in 19 runs in 26 games. Williams has turned himself into a starter at the Major League level and is making a case that he’s there to stay.
7. Adam Haseley, OF
The Phillies made Haseley the No. 8 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. He stood out as both a pitcher and hitter in college but was ultimately taken as an outfielder by the Phillies. He’s started to grow into his power and has continued to make hard contact and use the whole field. The 21-year-old has above-average speed, as well, though he’s still learning to make full use of it on the basepaths.
2017 stats: (RK-GCL): 3 games, .583/.643/.833, 4 RBI, 3 R, 1 SB, 2 BB, 3 K. (Low-A Williamsport): 28 games, .280/.366/.402, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 16 R, 5 SB, 12 BB, 23 K.
The first-round pick started off hot at Williamsport but cooled off throughout the middle of July. He has since picked it back up and is red hot at the plate for the Crosscutters. In his last four games, Haseley is 8-for-16 with a double, homer, four RBI, and a stolen base.
6. Rhys Hoskins, 1B
MLB.com lists: Top 100 Prospects (#72), Top 1B Prospects (#4)
Hoskins has risen through the Phillies’ system since being drafted in the fifth-round of the 2014 Draft. He’s spent the whole season in Triple-A thanks in large part to his advanced approach at the plate and ability to hit the ball over the fence. Unlike most power hitters, Hoskins is able to maintain a decent batting average by working his walks and not striking out a ton.
2017 stats: (Triple-A Lehigh Valley): 108 games, .281/.381/.570, 26 HR, 82 RBI, 74 R, 59 BB, 71 K.
There’s a feeling in Philly that Hoskins is not far off from a Major League debut. He’s impressed at Triple-A and if not for a hot stretch from Tommy Joseph, could very well be in the big leagues by now. Over his last 11 games, Hoskins is batting .294 with five homers and 12 RBI and has walked more times than he’s struck out (10:8).
Hoskins will compete for the starting first base job in 2018, giving him plenty of value in dynasty leagues. As far as 2017 goes, Hoskins should be monitored just as much as Joseph should. If Joseph begins to falter, Hoskins may very well get a chance to get his feet wet before the season is over.
5. Jorge Alfaro, C
MLB.com lists: Top 100 Prospects (#71), Top 10 C Prospects (#4)
Alfaro was another piece in the Cole Hamels deal in 2015. At 24 years old, Alfaro has dealt with some injuries that have slowed his development. However, his tools are still impressive, most notably his power. The catcher has above average power from the right side but is striking out far too much to be considered MLB-ready.
2017 stats: (Triple-A Lehigh Valley): 83 games, .244/.295/.363, 7 HR, 43 RBI, 34 R, 16 BB, 110 K.
It hasn’t been a great season for Alfaro, who’s batting just .244 in 83 games. What’s most concerning is his walk-to-strikeout ratio, which sits at 16:110. Often times a poor BB:K can be overlooked if the power is there to back it up, but Alfaro has hit just seven homers in 2017. With Cameron Rupp and Andrew Knapp ahead of him, there’s no sense in rushing Alfaro’s development. It’s worth noting that his upside is the highest of the three.
4. J.P. Crawford, SS
MLB.com lists: Top 100 Prospects (#62)
Crawford was a first round (No. 16 overall) Draft pick in 2013. He has since worked his way all the way up to Triple-A at just 22 years old. He’s a natural hitter that makes consistent hard contact and is beginning to grow into his power. While his speed is just average, Crawford has excellent instincts that make up for it on both the basepaths and at short.
2017 stats: (Triple-A Lehigh Valley): 95 games, .226/.338/.374, 10 HR, 45 RBI, 56 R, 59 BB, 72 K.
A .226 batting average isn’t something to be encouraged about by any means. However, Crawford has shown plenty of other signs of encouragement throughout his 2017 campaign. He’s working his walks and limiting his strikeouts, showing development in his approach. Most impressive is his 10 homers on the season, a sign that he’s starting to grow into his power.
3. Scott Kingery, 2B
MLB.com lists: Top 100 Prospects (#56), Top 10 2B Prospects (#3)
Kingery has developed into an all-around great player since being drafted in the second-round of the 2015 Draft. While he had always hit for contact, he’s hitting for much more power and is using his speed more than he ever has.
2017 stats: (Double-A Reading): 69 games, .313/.379/.608, 18 HR, 44 RBI, 62 R, 19 SB, 28 BB, 51 K. (Triple-A Lehigh Valley): 31 games, .295/.326/.465, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 19 R, 8 SB, 6 BB, 32 K.
2017 has gone better than anyone expected for Kingery. The 23-year-old is hitting .307 with 23 homers and 27 stolen bases in 100 games between the two levels. He just recently saw a 16-game hitting streak come to an end, a streak in which he batted .314 with four extra-base hits. Kingery’s plate discipline could use some work, but aside from that, he appears ready for a shot at the Majors.
We might see Kingery make his MLB debut in 2017, and he could be competing for a starting job as early as next year. He’s quickly making a name for himself in dynasty leagues and should be picked up before it’s too late.
2. Sixto Sanchez, RHP
MLB.com lists: Top 100 Prospects (#52)
Sanchez has quickly made a name for himself over the past season and a half. He wasn’t a highly touted international prospect when he signed in 2015, but now he ranks as the No. 2 overall prospect in the Phillies’ system. He has outstanding command with his fastball and is showing improvement on his other pitches. The Phillies are being careful with 19-year-old, who has shown signs that he could be a future ace in the big leagues.
2017 stats: (Single-A Lakewood): 67.1 IP, 5-3, 2.41 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 9 BB, 64 K.
Sanchez’s opponents are hitting just .191 against him on the season and haven’t even reached second base in his last four starts. He’s been lights out for Lakewood, most recently pitching his second straight scoreless outing. It’ll take some time before Sanchez works his way up the ladder, as he’s being held to a strict innings limit. He likely won’t surpass 100 innings this year, as there’s no reason to push the 19-year-old.
1. Mickey Moniak, OF
MLB.com lists: Top 100 Prospects (#33)
Moniak was taken with the No. 1 overall Draft pick in 2016. He makes consistent hard contact and has started to show more power since making his professional debut. Moniak has a baseball IQ far beyond his years, as well, showing more patience at the plate than the typical 19-year-old. He’s also an above average runner, which has already translated on the basepaths at the Single-A level.
2017 stats: (Single-A Lakewood): 99 games, .258/.309/.371, 4 HR, 39 RBI, 49 R, 9 SB, 25 BB, 87 K.
It’s been a less-than-impressive first full season for Moniak. He’s batting just .258 in 99 games and has been slumping immensely at the plate. In his last 15 games, he’s batting .196 with just three extra-base hits and 18 strikeouts. There’s still plenty of time for Moniak to perfect his craft and live up to being a No. 1 overall pick.