Prospect rankings for the Philadelphia Phillies system are now out, granting insight into the club’s plans for next season and beyond.
Phillies Top 10 Prospects for 2024 Revealed
According to Baseball America, the top 10 of the Phillies’ latest prospect power rankings are:
- Andrew Painter, 20 Years Old, RHP
- Justin Crawford, 19 Years Old, Outfield
- Mick Abel, 22 Years Old, RHP
- Aidan Miller, 19 Years Old, Third Base
- Starlyn Caba, 18 Years Old, Shortstop
- Orion Kerkering, 22 Years Old, RHP
- Bryan Rincon, 19 Years Old, Shortstop
- William Bergolla, 19 Years Old, Shortstop
- Eduardo Tait, 17 Years Old, Catcher
- Gabriel Rincones, 22 Years Old, Outfield
And with the prospect rankings beginning to take shape, speculation about when and where we might see the future of the Phillies take the diamond has intensified. After MLB announced a new “Spring Breakout” event for 2024, which will serve as a four-day showcase for every franchise’s minor league stars, we could have some answers sooner than expected.
Which Philadelphia Prospects Can Star in Spring Breakout?
The Phillies will field 20 to 25 prospects for Spring Breakout and fans are guaranteed to see most of the stars from the farm system. But Crawford, Miller, and Tait might be the most likely to enjoy star moments.
Let’s check in on the Phillies #2 Prospect, Justin Crawford.
2023 stats between Class A Clearwater and A+ Jersey Shore:
349 AB | 116 H | 22 2B | 8 3B | 3 HR | 64 RBI | 47 SB | .332/.392/.467pic.twitter.com/Brbp2IL1hy
— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) December 15, 2023
Crawford is a top-100 prospect in all of baseball, and the son of former MLB outfielder Carl Crawford. The Phillies selected him in the first round of the 2022 draft and his breakout speed was on display during a pro debut as he stole eight bases in 11 games. Even though the Phillies are relatively stacked at center field, with both Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas demonstrating excellent defense there last season, Crawford projects to be a valuable addition.
Miller is also in the top 100 for all MLB prospects, with a ton of plate power at a premium position. As he continues to bulk up, he may move from third to first, but the Phillies won’t complain if he can build on the slugging ability he showed as the winner of the All-American Game Home Run Derby in 2022.
And Tait should catch attention if he ends up in the Spring Breakout as a 17-year-old catcher, with the chance to grab headlines if his full potential is on display. His power and growing feel for the catcher position has already caught the attention of front offices.
“President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has mentioned him multiple times wherever he talks about prospects that other teams covet,” Todd Zolecki reported for MLB.com.
Which Phillies Prospect Could Have a Major League Breakout in 2024?
Ranked down at number six on the latest prospect power rankings, Orion Kerkering enjoyed a major league breakout last season. And fans might be wondering who has the chance to do the same in 2024.
You never know, but Rincon, who has been one of the best defensive shortstops in the minor leagues, seems the most likely to have his own Cinderella story play out with the big league club next season.
“Rincon, who will turn 20 in February, is a switch-hitting shortstop with good plate discipline and strong defense,” explained Matt Gelb for The Athletic. “He has a chance to really hit as his body matures, and that is why rival evaluators like him.”
Photo Credit: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
