Phillies Minor League Rosters Announced!

Lehigh Valley IronPigs (http://www.milb.com/roster/index.jsp?sid=t1410)

Guys to watch: Tommy Joseph (C), Maikel Franco (1B/3B), Adam Morgan (SP), Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez (SP/RP), Adam Loewen (SP), Severino Gonzalez (SP), Joely Rodriguez (SP).

Takeaway: This team will certainly contend. It boasts strong pitching depth both in the rotation and bullpen. The offense will revolve around Joseph and Franco. Joseph is finally healthy and looking to stay on the field to prove his bat (and head) can handle the rigors of a full baseball season. Franco is nearly MLB ready, but could use this time in AAA to refine his approach at the plate before his inevitable call-up. This group is certainly missing an injured Kelly Dugan.

Reading Fightin Phils (http://www.milb.com/roster/index.jsp?sid=t522)

Guys to watch: Aaron Nola (SP), Ben Lively (SP), Zach Eflin (SP), Tom Windle (SP), Jesse Biddle (SP), Nefi Ogando (RP), Aaron Altherr (CF), Cam Perkins (LF), Brian Pointer (RF), Roman Quinn (CF).

Takeaway: Talk about a murderers row of top notch starting rotation full of prospects, two of which could see the big leagues this season. All have projected ceilings ranging between #2 and #3 starters. Not that its going to happen, but the Phillies haven't had this kind of SP stockpile since...Cosart, May, Colvin and Pettibone? I'd also be willing to say that this current group might be a bit better regarded. Aside from that, the infield isn't much of anything to note, but the outfield is curiously crowded. Altherr doesn't make the jump to AAA (despite seeing the big leagues last season), Perkins moves back down to AA after a less than stellar 2014 AAA debut and promotions for Pointer and Quinn. Pointer will likely see the Reading boost to his counting stats, but will need refine his plate discipline this season. Quinn will see his first full season at CF and continued improvements at the plate. I'm positive Quinn starts every day in CF, so I'm not exactly sure who here is the 4th outfielder (likely Pointer).

Clearwater Threshers (http://www.milb.com/roster/index.jsp?sid=t566)

Guys to watch: Victor Arano (SP), Matt Imhof (SP), Brandon Leibrandt (SP), Miguel Nunez (SP), Andrew Knapp (C), Zach Green (1B), J.P. Crawford (SS), Jesmuel Valentin (2B), Aaron Brown (CF), Dylan Cozens (RF), Andrew Pullin (LF)

Takeaways: You have to like this rotation as well right? Arano is the youngest players on the team and could be primed for a bit of a breakout. Imhof is an exciting 2014 2nd round draft pick that could move rather quickly up the ladder. Our personal savior, Crawford, will begin the season on the DL, but upon his return should provide ample drool-worthy play. We see the promotion of most of the 2014 Lakewood talent. The Phillies also announced that former 2B Andrew Pullin will be moving to LF this season. I know Pullin had his troubles fielding the position, but I would have liked to see another season from him there. He doesn't project nearly as high of a prospect as a corner outfielder (or perhaps not a prospect at all).

Lakewood BlueClaws (http://www.milb.com/roster/index.jsp?sid=t427)

Guys to watch: Drew Anderson (SP), Elneiry Garcia (SP), Chris Oliver (SP), Ricardo Pinto (SP), Shane Watson (SP), Jason Zgardowski (SP), Deivi Grullon (C), Malquin Canelo (SS), Grenny Cumana (SS), Rhys Hoskins (1B), Cord Sandberg (RF), Carlos Tocci (CF), Jiandido Tromp (LF)

Takeaways: Cross your fingers that Drew Anderson can finally stay healthy. He has some promise as a back of the rotation starter in the future. Elneiry Garcia could see a breakout and has been featured high on many prospect sites top prospect lists. Shane Watson is still recovering from shoulder surgery and serving his 50 game suspension (which coincidentally, kind of works out). Somethings we can hope for is Tocci finally hitting consistently, Sandberg not tailing off of another hot start and Lakewood not sapping all of Hoskins and Tromp's power.