{"id":109083,"date":"2025-11-03T09:00:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T14:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=109083"},"modified":"2025-11-03T01:16:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T06:16:10","slug":"six-prospects-can-help-phillies-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/11\/03\/six-prospects-can-help-phillies-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Six Prospects Who Can Help the Phillies in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the Philadelphia Phillies juggle a veteran core and payroll realities, contributions from within the system will be key in 2026. These six Phillies prospects are favorable options as everyday pieces, depth, or rotation\/pen help. Maybe even valuable as trade bait? Let’s see.\u00a0 (<\/span>Otto Kemp will not be listed.<\/span><\/i>)<\/span><\/p>\n

Six Phillies Prospects That Could Impact the Club in 2026<\/h2>\n

Justin Crawford \u2014 CF<\/strong><\/h3>\n

With elite speed and polarizing contact skills, Justin Crawford<\/a> has big-game ability in his blood.\u00a0 He is the son of four-time All-Star Carl Crawford<\/a>, unmistakably sharing similar talents with his dad. Crawford<\/a> profiles as a table-setter for the top of the lineup with top-notch center field defense.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Feb 25, 2025; Port Charlotte, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Justin Crawford (80) runs home to score against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Phillies President Dave Dombrowski stated on October 16th, \u201cI\u2019m not going to declare that anybody has a job, but there will be some people that we\u2019re really open-minded to being with our big-league club next year coming out of spring training…Justin Crawford is one of them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The knock is his 63% ground-ball rate, but he makes up for it with a 40.7% hard-hit rate, which is above the MLB average. Crawford is projected to be in Citizens Bank Park as an everyday or high-leverage platoon outfielder in 2026, unless a nightmare scenario occurs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Andrew Painter \u2014 RHP<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Andrew Painter<\/a> remains the club\u2019s golden goose, but for how long? When healthy, Painter<\/a>\u2019s ceiling is that of a top pitcher in baseball. However, the 2025 season marked his first time pitching post\u2013Tommy John surgery. He finished 2025 with a 5\u20138 record across Double-A and Triple-A, spending most of his time at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Pair that with a 5.26 ERA and 129 hits allowed over 118 innings pitched \u2014 not ideal. Control and durability have not yet returned for the top prospect.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe used to have great command; it wasn\u2019t quite as good this year. Typical with Tommy John, that\u2019s the last thing to come back,\u201d said Dombrowski on October 16th.<\/span><\/p>\n

If Painter struggles, it will throw a massive wrench into the team\u2019s future plans. Even on a conservative timeline, he is among the few in the system who could become vital in 2026. The organization will be cautious; if he returns to regular form, he\u2019s a star. If not\u2014oh no.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aidan Miller \u2014 SS\/3B<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Aidan Miller<\/a> remains the top bat among Phillies prospects. The infielder has a rare combination of plate discipline and power that was on full display in Lehigh Valley. He spent 2025 climbing the ladder, finishing with encouraging on-base rates and stolen base numbers in Double-A and Triple-A action.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe stole over 50 bases. I never would have anticipated he had that type of speed,\u201d<\/span>\u00a0Dombrowski said after the 2025 season<\/span>. \u201cHe actually gained speed, which is unusual.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Some evaluators don\u2019t think Miller<\/a> can stay at shortstop at the MLB level, although the Phillies disagree for now. If he plays great baseball early, there\u2019s a possibility of platoon action with the Phillies at some point. The perfect scenario is as a full-time player. However, the lack of strong infield bats and everyday depth could speed up his timeline.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dave Dombrowski says when Aidan Miller comes up, he will be an everyday player pic.twitter.com\/si92QHZKa5<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 16, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n