Here are the Phillies' 2024 Top 30 prospects
Jonathan Mayo
@JonathanMayoThe Phillies' stable of prospects is still topped by the same two right-handed pitchers who were there a year ago at this time, but this go-round, the optimism surrounding the dynamic duo is just a touch more cautious.
That’s because top guy Andrew Painter, who looked like he was making a beeline to the big leagues at age 20 last spring, had Tommy John surgery last July and very likely won’t pitch until 2025.
Now for the good news.
He’ll only be 22 years old for that season and there’s a pretty good track record for returning from that injury. And in the meantime, he has Mick Abel ready to pick up the slack. Abel, the Phillies' first-rounder the year before Painter, touched Triple-A in 2023 and it’s clear his stuff will get big league hitters out, especially if he can iron out some command issues.
After taking the two prep pitchers with their first selection back-to-back, the Phillies stayed in the high school game for the next two years, this time targeting bats. Justin Crawford’s speed and Aidan Miller’s power are exciting enough tools on their own, but both have the chance to be excellent all-around players, a big reason why they’re firmly in the Top 100. And keep a very close eye on Starlyn Caba. He’s yet to play in the United States, but the organization’s top international get in the 2023 signing period is a serious pick to click as someone who will work their way onto that Top 100 soon.
Here’s a look at the Phillies' top prospects:
1. Andrew Painter, RHP (MLB No. 27)
2. Mick Abel, RHP (MLB No. 49)
3. Aidan Miller, 3B/SS (MLB No. 61)
4. Justin Crawford, OF (MLB No. 77)
5. Starlyn Caba, SS
Complete Top 30 list »
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2023 preseason list to the 2024 preseason list:
Jump: Starlyn Caba, SS (2023: NR | 2024: 5)
In retrospect, Caba probably belonged on the Phillies’ Top 30 right out of the chute, but it can be difficult to figure out where to place an international free agent right after they’ve signed and before they’ve played an inning of note. Caba hit .301 with a .423 OBP during his debut in the Dominican Summer League to serve notice that he’s a prospect worth tracking.
Fall: Rickardo Perez, C (2023: 15 | 2024: NR)
Perez got $1 million to sign in 2021 and seemed like he was on an upward trajectory with a big United States debut in the Florida Complex League in '22. That progress was derailed when he was suspended early in 2023 and didn’t play a professional inning, leaving his future in doubt.
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools – 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 55 -- Justin Crawford (Starlyn Caba, William Bergolla)
Power: 60 -- Aidan Miller
Run: 75 -- Justin Crawford
Arm: 60 -- Bryan Rincon (Aidan Miller, Eduardo Tait, Raylin Heredia)
Defense: 65 -- Starlyn Caba
Fastball: 70 -- Andrew Painter (Alex McFarlane, George Klassen)
Curveball: 55 -- Mick Abel (George Klassen)
Slider: 65 -- Orion Kerkering
Changeup: 55 -- Andrew Painter
Control: 65 -- Andrew Painter
How they were built
Draft: 17 | International: 10 | Trade: 2 | Free agent: 1
Breakdown by ETA
2024: 6 | 2025: 6 | 2026: 8 | 2027: 7 | 2028: 2 | 2029: 1
Breakdown by position
C: 3 | 2B: 2 | 3B: 1 | SS: 4 | OF: 10 | LHP: 1 | RHP: 9