Grapefruiting 2017: Players to watch at Carpenter Complex
The facility includes four baseball fields aligned right against each other. You can walk around all four fields to watch some of your favorite big-league players or get a glimpse of the lower-level prospects.
For fans, spring training baseball is known for its intimacy. Players and coaches aren’t walled-off in a 45,000 seat stadium. Even the big leaguers don’t look like the stars they really are. From the big leaguers all the way down to the rookie teams, everyone works on the fundamentals. As a fan, you’re able to see that at the Carpenter Complex.
It’s no secret the Phillies have one of the best farm systems in the game. Mashers such as Dylan Cozens, Jorge Alfaro and Rhys Hoskins will all be in attendance. Watching their batting practice at the complex should be a sight to see.
But what about some of the under-the-radar guys the Phillies have in their lower levels? There’s always a diamond in the rough out there. Here’s a list of some guys to look out for while strolling around the fields:
Randolph was the Phillies’ 10th overall pick in the 2015 June draft, so you might ask how a first-round pick could be a diamond in the rough. But Randolph, a lefty hitter, has been lost in all the hype surrounding both the top-level players and the latest first-round pick, Mickey Moniak. The 19-year old Randolph was limited to just 63 games because of a right shoulder strain. He hit .274/.355/.357 for single-A Lakewood.
Coppola was drafted in the 13th round by the Phillies back in 2015. The 22-year old outfielder had an impressive 2016, hitting .315/.397/.357 and adding 17 stolen bases for both class-A Lakewood and class-A+ Clearwater.
Teammates with Moniak on the Gulf Coast team, Brito compares well with the No. 1 overall pick, at least statistically. The 19-year-old middle infielder, who was signed out of Venezuela, hit .284/.355/.421 with 25 RBI in 47 games.
Leftwich was drafted by the Phillies in the seventh round of the 2015 June draft. The 22-year old put up staggering numbers for single-A Lakewood, pitching to a 2.00 ERA in seven starts, striking out 88 batters in 67.2 innings. Leftwich struggled in class-A+ upon his promotion, posting an ERA of 5.07 and striking out less than a batter per inning. Jay Floyd wrote about his baseball bloodlines earlier in 2016. Let’s see if Leftwich can make the adjustments to turn his fortunes around.
Hibbs was selected by the Phillies in the 19th round of the 2016 June draft from Lamar University. Already 22, Hibbs spent the rest of 2016 with the Williamsport Crosscutters, the Phils short-season affiliate. The 6’7”, 245 pounder lead the Crosscutters with 19 appearances. Hibbs recorded four saves, posted a WHIP of 0.86, and a 1.44 ERA. He projects as a power reliever thanks to his size.
A 2016 third-round pick, Stobbe also played in the Gulf Coast League with Moniak, hit .270/.337/.405. Stobbe is a 200 pound, 19-year-old third baseman and shortstop who was second on the team in home runs, slugging four. He can hit and his power is starting to show.
The player that led the Gulf Coast team in home runs? This guy … by a mile. Ortiz, who just turned 18 in November, is 6’3” and 215 pounds. He hit eight homers and just under half his hits went for extra bases. Ortiz is a classic power hitter: hits for a low average, strikes out a ton, but can launch quite a few. Look out for this kid.
