Phillies farm system middle of the pack according to Bleacher Report
The Philadelphia Phillies have a lot of veteran players on their roster but might need to turn to their farm system to help get their team over the top.
After losing in the 2022 World Series and 2023 National League Championship Series, the Phillies need to find the missing piece to finish their roster and haven't spent any money in free agency to do so - but is that help coming from their farm system?
According to the latest farm system ranking published by Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report, the Phillies ranked as the No. 18 organization overall in terms of top prospect talent in MLB.
The Phillies will need some of their younger talent to help out. With big contracts being paid out to Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, Aaron Nola, J.T. Realmuto, the team needs to find some lower-priced talent that can help out the roster.
Here are the Phillies Top 10 Prospects from Bleacher Report
1. RHP Andrew Painter (Tier 1)
2. RHP Mick Abel (Tier 1)
3. OF Justin Crawford (Tier 1)
4. 3B Aidan Miller (Tier 1)
5. RHP Griff McGarry (Tier 2)
6. RHP Orion Kerkering (Tier 3)
7. OF Gabriel Rincones Jr. (Tier 3)
8. OF Carlos De La Cruz (Tier 3)
9. SS William Bergolla (Tier 3)
10. OF Ethan Wilson (Tier 3)
The publication singled out two players, Andrew Painter, who was a Tier 1 prospect, which is described as a prospect that has 'elite skill sets and All-Star potential. This is the cream of the prospect crop'.
Still only 20 years old, Andrew Painter might have broken camp with a spot in the starting rotation last spring if not for an elbow injury that eventually led to Tommy John surgery in July. The 6'7" right-hander has electric stuff and front-of-the-rotation upside, it's just a matter of getting healthy.
The other prospect they highlighted, Phillies fans got a chance to see in 2023, pitcher Orion Kerkering. Kerkering was on the Phillies postseason roster, making seven playoff appearances during the team's October run.
It's not often relief pitchers appear on organizational top 10 prospect lists, but Orion Kerkering is a worthy exception to that rule. After posting a 1.51 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 13.2 K/9 over 41 appearances in the minors, he made three scoreless appearances as a September call-up and then seven more appearances in the postseason during Philadelphia's run to the NLCS.
He was a dominant arm in the minors and showed dominating stuff at every level. He could figure into the Phillies backend of the bullpen plans in 2024.
Mick Abel and Griff McGarry have been following each other through the minor leagues, but will either of them be ready to take that next step to the bug leagues?
19-year old Justin Crawford is the teams top offensive prospect, but is probably two seasons away from helping at the big league level.
Aiden Miller, a 19-year old, is probably three seasons away from MLB consideration.
