Phillies Nation Top 15 Phillies Prospects: Spring 2025

The Phillies are returning a veteran roster in 2025 that’ll look awfully similar to the club it fielded the season prior, likely leaving room for only one top prospect to play a significant role this year. Some additional young players could factor in on the margins, while the rest of the prospect pool will be geared toward the future.

With spring training underway and the regular season only a month out, Phillies Nation has put together its latest rankings of the top prospects in Philadelphia’s system.

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 and MLB Pipeline.

1. Andrew Painter, RHP

Painter, the best prospect in the organization and one of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball, has the potential of a future ace and is finally expected to make his major-league debut this summer. He probably would’ve been up two years ago if not for an elbow injury and subsequent Tommy John surgery, but the right-handed starter still only turns 22 in April. The 6-foot-7 power pitcher should be able to make an impact as soon as he steps foot on a big-league mound — even as he faces a limited workload in his return —with the room to grow into a true frontline starter down the road.

2. Aidan Miller, INF

A first-round pick out of high school in 2023, the 20-year-old Miller has only impressed in his young professional career. He reached Double-A at the end of last season, has displayed an advanced approach from the right side and has power potential to tap into as well. Miller has — perhaps unexpectedly — been able to stick at shortstop so far as opposed to sliding over to third base, another positive for his stock. He may still be a year away from cracking the majors, but Miller has a ton of promise.

3. Eduardo Tait, C

Tait is a bat-first, power-hitting catcher with a lot of upside from the left side of the plate. At 18 years old, he’s far, far away from the majors, but the potential for an impact bat is exciting. He reached Single-A last season and hit 11 home runs in 80 minor-league games.

4. Justin Crawford, OF

Crawford, 21, is a former first-round pick and the son of former All-Star Carl Crawford. He excelled as he reached Double-A last year, putting on a display with his left-handed bat and on the bases. Crawford can make solid contact consistently, but he runs into issues with hitting the ball on the ground very often; many of his hits in the minors could turn into outs against major-league infielders. But the makings of a future regular are certainly present for Crawford, the Phillies’ 2024 Paul Owens Award winner.

5. Moisés Chace, RHP

The 21-year-old Chace came to the Phillies organization last summer in a trade that sent reliever Gregory Soto to the Orioles, and the right-hander posted electric strikeout numbers with his new team. He earned a Double-A promotion and showed a power arsenal that can overpower hitters. For now, Chace is a starter, but he has the type of stuff that could be lethal out of the bullpen.

6. Dante Nori, OF

Nori, 20, was a first rounder in 2024 and is a bit old for a recent high school graduate, but he still has some intriguing tools. The left-handed hitter has a prototypical leadoff mold, and his speed is a major part of his game. His contact ability and center-field defense are strong suits, but Nori will need to add power to reach his full potential.

7. Griffin Burkholder, OF

The Phillies selected Burkholder in the second round last year, and he’s another young outfielder in the system. The 19-year-old is also a good runner and has a strong swing from the right side. He should have some power to develop into his offensive profile.

8. Jean Cabrera, RHP

Cabrera, a lanky 6-foot-tall right-hander, won the 2021 Paul Owens Award after a strong Dominican Summer League debut. He’s continued to develop since then. He reached Double-A last season while throwing a career-high 106 2/3 innings, and the 23-year-old should have the chance to continue working as a starter with plus command in the upper minors.

9. Gabriel Rincones Jr., OF

Rincones is a hard-hitting outfielder with even more power potential in his left-handed bat. He’s missed time with injuries so far in his career, but he’s taken advantage of the stretches when he’s been available. The outfielder hit for extra bases and showed some speed at Double-A in 2024, and some additional homers should come as well. This year, the soon-to-be 24-year-old will need to show that he can keep putting up numbers while staying on the field. If so, he could be in the mix in Philadelphia if the club needs outfield help later in the season.

10. Aroon Escobar, INF

Escobar played only 24 games in the Florida Complex League last season, but he was incredible in the small showing. The 20-year-old has reached base at a high clip and possesses advanced bat-to-ball skills, also doing damage when he puts it in play. The right-handed hitter has to be able to do it over the course of a full season against better competition, but Escobar has the right tools at this point in his career.

11. Bryan Rincon, INF

Rincon struggled in an injury-ridden 2024 season, but the switch-hitting shortstop is a sure-handed defender with contact ability. The 21-year-old reached High-A last year and has a big season ahead of him. The potential to be a contributor up the middle is there, but he’ll need to prove that he can stay healthy and produce in 2025.

12. Mick Abel, RHP

The right-hander Abel has been a disappointment since he was drafted in the first round in 2020, not executing or developing the way the Phillies had hoped he would. He hasn’t thrown enough quality strikes throughout his years in the minors, and it’s hurt his numbers and status as a prospect. Still, Abel is only 23, has a quality arsenal and has proven he can handle a starter’s workload as he’s reached Triple-A. But this season is pivotal, and it’s essential that Abel improves his command in a tangible way to get more outs.

13. Michael Mercado, RHP

Mercado, who came to the Phillies before last season in a trade with the Rays, spent some time in the majors as a swingman and did not pitch well as a starter or a reliever. However, he was stellar in Triple-A and could benefit from a full-time focus on relieving. The Phillies could still use the 25-year-old in both roles, but a move to the bullpen could help him carve out a spot in the majors with some extra upside.

14. Seth Johnson, RHP

Johnson, also acquired in the Soto trade with the Orioles, is an older prospect and got shelled in his brief cameo with the Phillies last year. But he was pitching in his first full season after Tommy John surgery in 2024 and had a solid season in the minor leagues. Johnson should serve as good depth in Triple-A to start the year; it’s tough to see the 26-year-old cracking Philadelphia’s strong rotation, but he could be effective as a starter or even a reliever if healthy.

15. Otto Kemp, INF

Kemp is 25 years old, doesn’t have a clear defensive position and probably doesn’t offer a ton of upside. But he can hit the ball. The right-handed hitter hit 16 home runs in 123 minor-league games across four levels with an .881 OPS. He raked in the Arizona Fall League after the regular season. It doesn’t make for the flashiest prospect profile, but if he can hit the ball, he can help a team in some way.