The Low-A stop was the first stop for a lot of first-time pros in 2021, especially members of the 2020 Phillies draft class and UDFA class. Many eventually advanced to A+, but of those who didn't, or moved up to Low-A, here are the rankings.
Mick Abel
Jared Wetherbee
Fernando Lozano
Cristian Hernandez
Alex McKenney
Jordi Martinez
Rafael Marcano
Yhoswar Garcia
Ethan Wilson
Samuel Aldegheri
Christian McGowan
Matt Osterberg
Jamari Baylor
Starlyn Castillo
Freylin Minyety
I actually ranked 29 players, but these were the top 15. Abel is obviously #1, and could start at Lakewood this season. Wetherbee surprised me with where I put him, but the older UDFA was very impressive in his short pro debut in 2021, and as a product of a good Elon program where he started he could have real upside, despite his age. Lozano is a rare Phillies prospect who is a product of the Mexican League, and showed well as both a starter and reliever for Clearwater last season. Hernandez was almost dealt to Pittsburgh, but his medicals scared the Pirates off. On the mound, Cristian maintained a 11.2 K/9 during a strong workload in his first season stateside at just 20.
Beyond this group is a mix of other younger relievers, recent signings, and a few hitters. Garcia, Wilson, and Baylor appear somewhat low here, but their placements are not as much to do about doubts in them but rather them having been passed by the pitchers above them. Aldegheri is a name not very well covered by prospect evaluators, but his 13.7 K/9 in his stateside debut at 19 was very curious. Could the club's Euro scouting gang have finally found their stud? McGowan, at 11, is a player without much in the way of numbers to go on, but is loved by scouts and could rise rapidly in the system. Castillo, a recent highly-ranked international amateur signing, showed well at times last season in his stateside debut, but is now headed for Tommy John Surgery.
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