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The Rankings: (last year's ranks in parenthesis)
- Rhys Hoskins (2)
- Luis Encarnacion (1)
- Kyle Martin
- Jhailyn Ortiz
- Brendon Hayden
- Brock Stassi (5)
- Jesus Posso
- Zach Green
- Tommy Joseph
- Art Charles (4)
This list was surprisingly hard to rank aside from the clear-cut #1. Rhys Hoskins, a 2014 5th round pick out of Sacramento, broke out in a huge way this season. He hit a combined .319/.395/.518 with 17 HR as a 22 year old across Lakewood and Clearwater. Hoskins absolutely destroyed lefties this season with a .966 OPS. He is an above-average defensive first baseman who won't hurt you in the field and also significantly improved both his BB% and K% over 2014. He has excellent plate discipline and probably has some more power to show. I don't like to get my hopes up, but Hoskins bat reminds me of Jonathan Singleton a bit. He has a big-league starter profile with potentially an All-Star season or two. First-basemen are really difficult to gauge as the profile in the big leagues is a pretty specific one. Hoskins will need to continue to absolutely rake in Reading and Lehigh Valley. We are entering what is certain to be Ryan Howard's last season with the Phillies. Hoskins could be that guy in the starting lineup Opening Day in 2017.
Luis Encarnacion and Rhys Hoskins flip-flop from last season. Encarnacion has massive raw power and is still only 18 years old. His hit tool took a big step up over 2014, but the in-game power took a step back. Encarnacion probably showed enough to be placed in Lakewood to begin 2016, but could be sent to Williamsport if he struggles. Kyle Martin was drafted in the 4th round of the 2015 Draft and was immediately placed in Lakewood. The lefty struggled with LHP, but absolutely mashed the right-handed competition. He slumped pretty hard in August with a unsightly .165/.219/.278 (105 PA) triple slash. Otherwise, he finished the season overall with a .279/.325/.446 and will likely be ticketed for Clearwater.
Jhailyn Ortiz was considered one of the top IFA prospects available and the Phillies made their interest known by signing him to a 4 million dollar bonus. He is just 16 years old and is officially listed at 6'2 260 pounds. He has near-elite raw power and is a surprisingly good athlete. Ortiz could potentially add more inches to his frame and is a very, very long term project. Brendon Hayden, a 16th round 2015 pick, spent the season in Williamsport and hit .291/.376/.385 while battling some injuries. In a small sample size, Hayden actually had excellent reverse splits for a left-handed hitter. Look for Hayden in Lakewood to begin the 2016 campaign.
The rest of this list is littered with future journeymen or guys on their way out. Brock Stassi was the backbone of a phenomenal 2015 Reading season. He led the league in RBIs, mashed 15 HR and batted .300/.394/.470. Why are we not more excited for this guy? He was a 26 year old guy doing it against kids and other journeymen. He could eventually make the big leagues as a pinch-hitter/backup 1B/LF. Tommy Joseph was moved from catcher to 1B because of concussion issues, but his bat doesn't profile well at the position. Stranger things have happened, but he could very well be in his last season as a player. Zach Green spent most of the season on the DL and could be released this offseason. Art Charles is a platoon AAA guy at best, but he does have a cool name. Jesus Posso was also moved off catcher this season and has some decent power. He is a guy that could climb given more playing time.
Luis Encarnacion and Rhys Hoskins flip-flop from last season. Encarnacion has massive raw power and is still only 18 years old. His hit tool took a big step up over 2014, but the in-game power took a step back. Encarnacion probably showed enough to be placed in Lakewood to begin 2016, but could be sent to Williamsport if he struggles. Kyle Martin was drafted in the 4th round of the 2015 Draft and was immediately placed in Lakewood. The lefty struggled with LHP, but absolutely mashed the right-handed competition. He slumped pretty hard in August with a unsightly .165/.219/.278 (105 PA) triple slash. Otherwise, he finished the season overall with a .279/.325/.446 and will likely be ticketed for Clearwater.
Jhailyn Ortiz was considered one of the top IFA prospects available and the Phillies made their interest known by signing him to a 4 million dollar bonus. He is just 16 years old and is officially listed at 6'2 260 pounds. He has near-elite raw power and is a surprisingly good athlete. Ortiz could potentially add more inches to his frame and is a very, very long term project. Brendon Hayden, a 16th round 2015 pick, spent the season in Williamsport and hit .291/.376/.385 while battling some injuries. In a small sample size, Hayden actually had excellent reverse splits for a left-handed hitter. Look for Hayden in Lakewood to begin the 2016 campaign.
The rest of this list is littered with future journeymen or guys on their way out. Brock Stassi was the backbone of a phenomenal 2015 Reading season. He led the league in RBIs, mashed 15 HR and batted .300/.394/.470. Why are we not more excited for this guy? He was a 26 year old guy doing it against kids and other journeymen. He could eventually make the big leagues as a pinch-hitter/backup 1B/LF. Tommy Joseph was moved from catcher to 1B because of concussion issues, but his bat doesn't profile well at the position. Stranger things have happened, but he could very well be in his last season as a player. Zach Green spent most of the season on the DL and could be released this offseason. Art Charles is a platoon AAA guy at best, but he does have a cool name. Jesus Posso was also moved off catcher this season and has some decent power. He is a guy that could climb given more playing time.