Categories: Minor Leagues

One outlet says the Phillies now have a top-10 farm system

Andrew Painter (left) and Mick Abel (right) are the two of the top prospects in the Phillies organization. (Cheryl Pursell)

For the first time in, well, a long time, the Philadelphia Phillies have one of the top 10 farm systems in baseball. At least that’s what one major outlet says.

According to Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report, the Phillies’ farm system is now the 10th-best in baseball.

What’s more, Reuter believes that the Phillies have five prospects that Reuter believes fall into the “Tier 1” category — RHP Andrew Painter, shortstop/third baseman Aidan Miller, RHP Mick Abel, outfielder Justin Crawford and shortstop Starlyn Caba. Here’s how he defines a Tier 1 prospect.

“Prospects who have elite skill sets and All-Star potential. This is the cream of the prospect crop. These players make up B/R’s Top 100 prospect list.”

Painter is recovering from Tommy John surgery, but should make an impact for the Phillies at some point in 2025. Miller, just 20, has skyrocketed in most prospect rankings since being selected in the first round of last year’s MLB Draft.

It’s hard to imagine the Phillies parting with either one of them, particularly Painter. You never know what would happen if the opportunity to trade for someone like Kyle Tucker presented itself, but the most likely scenario is that both Painter and Miller make their MLB debuts with the Phillies.

That’s not to say that Abel, Crawford and Caba won’t, but the Phillies are in a clear World Series window, and if they hope to acquire an impact outfielder and/or add to the bullpen, you have to give up quality prospects to get them. Some of the shine might be off Abel, who is 1-7 with a 6.93 ERA at Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season. But Crawford has stolen 24 bases at High-A Jersey Shore this season, and Caba is an elite defensive shortstop that’s entered a slew of top-100 prospects lists.

The point is, the Phillies have some pieces that would be of interest to sellers before the July 30 trade deadline.

In addition to the five prospects mentioned, right-handed reliever George Klassen has a tremendous arsenal of pitches was promoted to High-A recently. Johan Rojas probably isn’t going to headline a trade, but his elite potential as a defender and baserunner could make him an interesting piece for a rebuilding team that’s willing to be patient with his bat.

Quietly, Dombrowski, general manager Sam Fuld, scouting director Brian Barber and director of player development Preston Mattingly have built a farm system that features multiple prospects who will be impact players in future years, and some who will help them acquire veterans as they pursue a World Series title in 2024.