Phillies Nation Top 15 Phillies Prospects: August 2022

Mick Abel is one of the top prospects in the Phillies system. (Cheryl Pursell)

With the draft and trade deadline behind us and the baseball season heading toward its stretch run, Phillies Nation has assembled its most recent Philadelphia Phillies prospect rankings. The updated top-15 prospect list was compiled by Tim Kelly, Destiny Lugardo, Nathan Ackerman and myself, Ty Daubert.

As stated in previous versions of this prospect list, assessments of these prospects are based on the play the Phillies Nation staff has seen covering these players in-person, analysis of film, conversations with scouts, coaches and other player development personnel and information from outlets such as Baseball America, FanGraphs, Prospects Live and MLB Pipeline.

The Phillies system is in a unique spot at this point in time as players like infielder Bryson Stott and Matt Vierling have graduated to the big leagues and prospects such as catcher Logan O’Hoppe and right-hander Ben Brown were dealt at the deadline. But, while the depth of the team’s prospect pool is lacking, there are still a few top-tier players in the farm that bring promise to the future of the organization.

1. Andrew Painter, RHP

One of the breakout prospects of the 2022 season, Painter has dominated in his first full season, starting the season in Low-A Clearwater, stopping at High-A Jersey Shore and now heading to Double-A Reading. The 2021 first rounder has shown elite power stuff at only 19 years old, posting a 1.19 ERA in 17 starts while striking out 14.1 batters per nine. It’s still very early, but the 6-foot-7 righty has flashed the makings of an impact starting pitcher who could move through the system more quickly than some of his peers.

2. Mick Abel, RHP

Abel, celebrating his 21st birthday at the release of this list, was a first-round pick in 2020, and will also be making his way to Double-A. So far this season in Jersey Shore, he has a 4.01 ERA in 18 starts. The pure stuff doesn’t blow batters away on the same level as Painter, but his advanced feel for the fastball and slider make Abel another high-level pitching prospect with some additional room to grow.

3. Griff McGarry, RHP

A fifth-round pick out of Virginia in 2021, McGarry has risen through the ranks rather quickly as he reached Double-A earlier this summer. In 17 starts, he has a 3.26 ERA and is striking out 14.0 per nine. McGarry may not be as polished as Painter or Abel, but his power repertoire gives the Phillies a third legitimate starting-pitching prospect while having the potential to help the team in the big leagues in the near future.

4. Justin Crawford, OF

The 18-year-old son of former Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Carl Crawford was taken in the first round of this year’s draft in July. Crawford’s speed is an impact tool, making him a high-level defensive center fielder and a good baserunner. The power is where he will have to develop, making the young left-handed hitter one of the more intriguing players to follow.

5. Hao Yu Lee, INF

The 19-year-old Lee, who signed with the Phillies last summer out of Taiwan, has put together quite a nice season at the plate in Low-A Clearwater. With an .818 OPS, the second baseman has flashed his ability to make contact, hit with pop, take walks and limit his strikeouts. If he continues on this path, Lee could become a very solid all-around right-handed hitter in the majors.

6. Johan Rojas, OF

Rojas, 22, has caught people’s attention with his speed this season in Jersey Shore and Reading, stealing 49 bases while only being caught twice. That same quickness helps him in the outfield, where he plays a good center field. The big question mark for Rojas is his on-base ability and pitch selection; he has only a .290 OBP in 2022.

7. Francisco Morales, RHP

After an inconsistent 2021 season as a starter, the Phillies moved Morales to the bullpen for this season. With a high-velocity combination of his fastball and slider, the stuff has played up out of the bullpen. The control, on the other hand, has not always been there for Morales as he’s bounced around between Reading, Triple-A Lehigh Valley and the majors. Still, the promise of a big-time reliever is certainly there for the 22-year-old.

8. Erik Miller, LHP

Recently promoted to Lehigh Valley, the 24-year-old lefty has had a solid season after an injury-riddled 2021. At 6-foot-5, his fastball and slider seem to play, but a move to the bullpen could make the most sense as he’s been used mostly as a starter without going deep into games.

9. Simón Muzziotti, OF

Despite a great deal of unluckiness over the past two seasons, Muzziotti has displayed his potential as a center-field option with impressive defense and solid hit tool. After missing most of last season due to a visa issue, the 23-year-old has hit the injured list twice this year, including this week after suffering a season-ending injury. But when Muzziotti was on the field, he produced, posting a .744 OPS as he spent time in both Reading and Lehigh Valley after a brief stint in the majors.

10. Ethan Wilson, OF

Known for his hit tool and potential for power, the 2021 second rounder has had a bit of a disappointing season in Jersey Shore, but the ability he showed in college at South Alabama is enough to keep anyone from giving up on him yet. Wilson, 22, is strictly a corner outfielder, so the bat will need to carry him throughout his career.

11. Gabriel Rincones Jr., OF

Rincones, drafted in the third round this year out of Florida Atlantic, had an interesting path to pro ball. Raised in Scotland, he moved to the United States for high school and became a premier power hitter along the way. The 21-year-old had elite exit-velocity numbers in college, leading to his selection early in Day 2 as a left-handed bat with upside.

12. Jordan Viars, OF

Viars, last year’s third rounder, has dealt with injury problems this season and has struggled in rookie ball. Still, he’s only 19 years old with some of the best raw power in the Phillies organization.

13. William Bergolla Jr., INF

One of the top international prospects this year, Bergolla signed with the Phillies in January out of Venezuela. The 17-year-old is a plus defender at shortstop, and he’s impressed as a contact hitter in the Dominican Summer League.

14. Andrew Baker, RHP

Baker, 22, is a hard-throwing relief prospect in Jersey Shore. He hasn’t been effective in games this season, posting a 5.50 ERA, but the 100-mph velocity is still tantalizing. While there’s no guarantee he figures it out, the stuff is there for Baker.

15. Alex McFarlane, RHP

A fourth-round pick out of Miami this year, McFarlane is another pitcher with a high-level fastball and slider combo. He’s started in college, but some control issues could force the 21-year-old to the bullpen.