Phillies Arizona Fall League Rundown

The Arizona Fall League wrapped up play last week, with the team that Phillies’ players were assigned to, the Scottsdale Scorpions, finishing with a league-worst 12-20 record. The team was also made up of representatives from the Yankees, Pirates, Mets and Giants.

Seven Phillies players took part and spent time battling against other organizations’ best young prospects. Below is a rundown of each of those Phils competitors’ AFL efforts with details on what to expect from each individual going forward.

Centerfielder Roman Quinn posted a .250 batting average with two triples, two home runs, nine RBI and a league leading 14 stolen bases in 24 games. His .720 OPS was just a bit higher than the .713 mark he posted in 88 games with Class A Advanced Clearwater this year. The 21-year-old was the Phillies’ 2nd round draft choice in 2011. He underwent surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon last off-season but returned to action this year without any negative impact to his highly regarded speed. Expect Quinn to continue to rise through the developmental ranks at a steady pace. Already proving that he can compete with AFL competition, which includes loads of Double-A level (and beyond) talent, the five-foot-ten 170-pounder should see action with Reading next season.

Lefty pitcher Adam Morgan posted a 1-2 record along with a 6.61 ERA in six games (five starts). In 16 1/3 innings with the Scorpions, the 24-year-old struck out 11 and walked three. Morgan spent the 2014 regular season recovering from shoulder surgery he underwent last winter. He was rising quickly through the minors before he was sidelined, posting a 4.04 ERA in 16 starts for Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2013 just two years after being the Phils’ 3rd round draft pick. The six-foot-one 195-pounder should return to the IronPigs’ rotation to start next season.

Righty reliever Nefi Ogando had a 1-0 record with three saves and a 3.07 ERA in 12 AFL appearances. Ogando, who was acquired from Boston in a trade for John McDonald last year, struck out 15 and walked four in 14 2/3 innings with the Scorpions. The 25-year-old put together a 5-1 record with seven saves, a 6.27 ERA and a 9.16 K/9 mark in 48 games with Reading this year. Ogando has the potential to see some big league time next year, as his fastball can reach triple-digits and misses plenty of bats. His coaches like the flashes of dominance he was able to show in the Eastern League last year.

Right-handed reliever Colton Murray was 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA while striking out 13 and walking two in 14 2/3 innings in 11 games. The six-foot 195-pounder struck out more than a batter per inning and tallied a 2.29 ERA in 47 combined outings with Clearwater and Reading this year. The 24-year-old was the Phils’ 13th round draft selection in 2011. With a fastball that steadily sits in the mid-90’s, two breaking pitches and a terminator attitude, Murray could be a big league contributor out of the bullpen. At worst, I can see him as an “AAAA” void filler for when injuries arise with the big club…think B.J. Rosenberg with better upside.

Left-hander Ethan Stewart sported a 7.56 ERA with no decisions while striking out 12 and walking 10 in 8 1/3 innings pitched for Scottsdale. The six-foot-seven 235-pounder went 5-7 with a 4.82 ERA in 28 games (16 starts) this year with Clearwater. The 23-year-old Canadian was a 47th round pick in 2010. Stewart is not held in high regard among minor league hurlers at this stage and I would expect him to get roughed up quite a bit when he moves beyond A ball. He’s a smart pitcher, though, that could thrive similarly to another lefty, Mario Hollands, if he can add velocity.

Backstop Logan Moore tallied a .146 average with a double and three RBI in 12 contests. The 24-year-old batted .227 with four homers and 28 RBI in 91 combined games with Clearwater and Double-A Reading this year. Moore, who is often praised for his excellent work behind the dish, was the Phillies’ 9th round pick in 2011. Moore’s ceiling is not as a big league catcher, due to his lack of offense, but perhaps could be in the coaching ranks.

Right-hander Ryan O’Sullivan posted a 1-2 record along with a troubling 9.39 ERA in 10 games, striking out seven and walking five in 14 2/3 innings of work. The 24-year-old sported a 7-8 record with a 3.91 ERA in 37 games (12 starts) for Reading this year. O’Sullivan, who was acquired in the 2012 Joe Blanton trade, presents himself as minor league depth, plain and simple.

Keep it locked here for more off-season league updates from around the globe throughout the autumn and winter months.