By Matt Forman
December 17, 2012


Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.

    

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TOP TEN PROSPECTS

1. Jesse Biddle, lhp 2. Roman Quinn, ss 3. Tommy Joseph, c 4. Jon Pettibone, rhp 5. Adam Morgan, lhp 6. Ethan Martin, rhp 7. Cody Asche, 3b 8. Maikel Franco, 3b 9. Darin Ruf, 1b/of 10. Carlos Tocci, of

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Cody Asche Best Power Hitter Darin Ruf Best Strike Zone Discipline Darin Ruf Fastest Baserunner Roman Quinn Best Athlete Roman Quinn Best Fastball Kenny Giles Best Curveball Jesse Biddle Best Slider Adam Morgan Best Changeup Jon Pettibone Best Control Jon Pettibone Best Defensive Catcher Sebastian Valle Best Defensive Infielder Cesar Hernandez Best Infield Arm Maikel Franco Best Defensive OF Tyson Gillies Best Outfield Arm Kyrell Hudson

PROJECTED 2016 LINEUP

Catcher Tommy Joseph First Base Ryan Howard Second Base Chase Utley Third Base Cody Asche Shortstop Roman Quinn Left Field Darin Ruf Center Field Ben Revere Right Field Domonic Brown No. 1 Starter Cole Hamels No. 2 Starter Cliff Lee No. 3 Starter Roy Halladay No. 4 Starter Jesse Biddle No. 5 Starter Jonathan Pettibone Closer Jonathan Papelbon

TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Pos 2012 Org 2003 Gavin Floyd, rhp White Sox 2004 Cole Hamels, lhp Phillies 2005 Ryan Howard, 1b Phillies 2006 Cole Hamels, lhp Phillies 2007 Carlos Carrasco, rhp Indians 2008 Carlos Carrasco, rhp Indians 2009 Domonic Brown, of Phillies 2010 Domonic Brown, of Phillies 2011 Domonic Brown, of Phillies 2012 Trevor May, rhp Phillies

TOP DRAFT PICKS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Pos 2012 Org 2003 Tim Moss, 2B (3rd round) Out of baseball 2004 Greg Golson, OF Yankees 2005 Mike Costanzo, 3B (2nd round) Reds 2006 Kyle Drabek, RHP/SS Blue Jays 2007 Joe Savery, LHP Phillies 2008 Anthony Hewitt, SS Phillies 2009 Kelly Dugan, OF Phillies 2010 Jesse Biddle, LHP Phillies 2011 Larry Greene, OF Phillies 2012 Shane Watson, RHP Phillies

LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORY

Gavin Floyd, 2001 $4,200,000 Pat Burrell, 1998 $3,150,000 Brett Myers, 1999 $2,050,000 Cole Hamels, 2002 $2,000,000 Chase Utley, 2000 $1,780,000

PHILLIES LINKS

Phillies Team Page Phillies Top 10 Scouting Reports  Last Year's Phillies Top 10 Prospects 2012 Draft: Phillies 2012 Draft Report Cards: Philadelphia Phillies  Complete Index of Top 10 Prospects Pre-Order the 2013 Prospect Handbook

For different reasons, the Phillies' last two seasons have ended in disappointment. In 2011, the playoff run that had become an annual expectation in Philadelphia ended too early. In 2012, there was no postseason baseball in Philadelphia at all, for the first time in six years.

The Phillies expected their season to start slowly because of lingering injuries to Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, but it never really got on its projected course, at least until it was too late. The Phillies finished 81-81, their worst record since 2002, and needed a late-season blitz just to break even after falling 14 games under .500 at one point. Philadelphia lost several more players for significant time to injuries, including Jose Contreras, Freddy Galvis, Roy Halladay, Placido Polanco, Mike Stutes and Vance Worley.

As a result, the Phillies were sellers on the trade market for the first time since 2006. One year after acquiring Hunter Pence, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. shipped him to the Giants for Nate Schierholtz and a pair of prospects (catcher Tommy Joseph and righthander Seth Rosin). Amaro also sent Joe Blanton and Shane Victorino to the Dodgers in separate deals for Josh Lindblom and righthanders Ethan Martin and Ryan O'Sullivan.

The big league struggles gave Philadelphia a chance to evaluate its system, as eight rookies debuted in the majors, the most since it had 15 in 1996. Along with the unexpected development of a few prospects, that ensured the last two months of the season weren't completely irrelevant.

Once considered an organization player, first baseman/outfielder Darin Ruf blasted 20 homers in Double-A in August to tie Sammy Sosa's pro record for a single month, then hit three more during a September callup. Tyler Cloyd, a soft-tossing righty who's short on stuff but strong on pitching sense, made his major league debut in August and won two of his six starts. Longtime minor league veteran Eric Kratz showed some pop, while Phillippe Aumont flashed his plus stuff out of the bullpen. In varying capacities, they all figure to contribute in 2013.

Meanwhile, the Phillies' .500 finish secured them a higher first-round pick than any in recent memory, as long as they don't sign a free agent who requires compensation. They're slated to select 16th, their highest selection since they took Gavin Floyd fourth overall in 2001.

Philadelphia has stuck with its philosophy of drafting high-upside athletes, with scouting director Marti Wolever preferring lefthanded pitching and speed. That's reflected on this list, which begins with a southpaw (Jesse Biddle) and a fleet-footed shortstop (Roman Quinn). Quinn is one of several members of a talented 2011 draft class who took a big step forward in their first full pro seasons, a group that also included lefthander Adam Morgan, third baseman Cody Asche and flamethrowing reliever Kenny Giles.

Most of the Phillies' best prospects are at least a year or two away from being ready for Citizens Bank Park, so Amaro swung two trades for veteran offensive help in December. He acquired Ben Revere from the Twins for Vance Worley and enigmatic righthander Trevor May, then dispatched Lindblom and righty Lisalverto Bonilla to get Michael Young from the Rangers.

It's not all doom and gloom for the Phillies, who will return several significant players from their 2007-11 National League East championship clubs in 2013. If they can stay healthy—certainly not a guarantee given the age of many of the players—their season could have a happier ending.

Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects  (How to subscribe)

Pre-Order the 2013 Prospect Handbook 30 scouting reports on every team