2024 Phillies Prospect Rankings - AAA and MLB

We're back at it again with raking the Phillies prospects, starting with the top 2 levels this year. The Phillies have only 3 prospects with MLB action from last year:

Orion Kerkering
Wes Wilson
Cal Stevenson

Orion Kerkering and Wes Wilson should both have an impact on the MLB roster this season, particularly the precocious Kerkering. Cal Stevenson was a waiver claim last year that stuck around at AAA from the end of last year. He could perhaps see action with a hot start at AAA, which he's done as recently as 2022.

At the AAA level, there are many new names joining guys with past experience in the system, continuing to show the changing environment of the system.

Mick Abel
Christian McGowan
Simón Muzziotti
Matt Kroon
Brett Schulze
Griff McGarry
Nicklaus Snyder
Michael Mercado
Zac Houston
Tyler McKay
Taylor Lehman
Nick Podkul

Mick Abel is naturally the #1 here, and may already have the inside track on being the next man up in the rotation for the Phillies after a strong Spring. Should his control continue to be improved, he could be an impact player for the Phillies this season. Christian McGowan is one of the sneakier names that could have a big impact on the team this year after a strong run last season coming back from Tommy John Surgery. Matt Kroon could be the 2024 version of 2022 Dalton Guthrie and 2023 Wes Wilson following another strong season in the high Minors. He can move around and could end up being a useful bench piece down the stretch. Schulze, Snyder, Mercado, and Houston are lottery ticket high-leverage arms that could use some tweaks, and could be risers in the system this year. Griff McGarry is a wildcard after changing his mechanics in the offseason. Finally, keep an eye on Nick Podkul, who had a breakout in an abridged 2023.

2023 Phillies Prospect Rankings - MLB and AAA

I've neglected the last of my Phillies prospect postings for some time now. Here are the last two lists retroactive to Opening Day:

 

MLB:

Noah Song#

Simón Muzziotti

Michael Plassmeyer^

Dalton Guthrie^

Esteban Quiroz#

Francisco Morales

Jesús Cruz#

Luis Ortiz#

Damon Jones

AAA:

Griff McGarry^

Noah Skirrow^

Hans Crouse

Cody Roberts#

Jakob Hernandez

Matt Seelinger^

Will Toffey

Vito Friscia^

Dustin Peterson

Jeremy Walker#

Oliver Dunn#

Nick Allgeyer#

Cameron Cannon#

Trey Cobb#

Garrett Whitley#

Weston Wilson#

Freddy Francisco

Herbert Iser

2022 Phillies Prospect Rankings - AAA

As isn't exactly surprising in regards to my approach, I have a lot of players who topped out at AAA listed simply due to proximity to the Major Leagues. Now that the Minors seasons have started, some movement has occurred, but I will evaluate these prospects as I would have if I had evaluated them before the season. There are a lot of names I put on this list, so let's break them up.

The big three:

1. Bryson Stott
2. Logan O'Hoppe
3. Simon Muzziotti

Stott clearly stands out as the best prospect of this group, and I would put him 1st overall in the organization for his well-rounded hitting ability and talents on the infield. O'Hoppe does not have a clear path to playing time with J.T. Realmuto entrenched in Philadelphia, but a breakout 2021 certainly boosted his stock. Muzziotti, meanwhile, has already been pressed into service in the Majors, but hopefully will get consistent ABs when he comes back (he's likely slated for AA to start off, like O'Hoppe).

The pitchers:

4. Colton Eastman
6. Josh Hendrickson
7. Brian Marconi
8. Braden Zarbnisky - two-way player who hit AAA in pro debut season. SB talent, played LF as recently as 2020.
9. Scott Moss

Eastman is a likely candidate to step into the rotation should the Phillies need to turn to a non-roster type, though he needs to tone down on the walks. Hendrickson starts out in AA, but after a breakout first full professional campaign he could be knocking on the door in no time. The same could be said for the trio of Marconi, Zarbnisky, and Moss, all likely relievers. The former two were breakout arms last season and start in AA, while Moss is a former (and perhaps also current) starter who struggled in 2021 after a dominant 2019. His big strikeout rates could make him a decent bullpen arm when he is healthy.

The best of the rest:

5. Daniel Brito
10. Donny Sands - trade acquisition from NYY. Converted C with power; defensive ratings mixed (cut down passed balls by 80% since 2017, over half since 2019.)
11. James Marvel
12. Francisco Morales
13. Darick Hall
14. Kyle Glogoski 

Brito is naturally a tough player to rank coming back from his stroke last season, but the 2021 breakout case is still one to watch thanks to his versatility and growing power. Sands, brought over from the Yankees, is a converted infielder who has improved rapidly as a catcher though his Minors climb and offers impressive power potential. Outside of the top 10 there is a bit off a drop off. Marvel is a former top performer in the Pirates system who is a darkhorse candidate to aid in Philadelphia this season. The rest are formerly well-lauded prospects who are in make-or-break seasons.