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Aside from Maikel Franco's assault on National League pitching in his first month in the Majors, there hasn't been a whole lot to get excited about here in 2015.
However, aside from Franco, two things have gone right, and both those things will be getting their time in the spotlight next month at the All Star Game.
Congrats to #Phillies prospects @jp_crawford and @AaronNola10 on being named to the 2015 All-Star Futures Game! pic.twitter.com/xmFihZodA4
— Phillies (@Phillies) June 25, 2015
The two Phillies minor league players you figured would be featured in Major League Baseball's Futures Game are indeed going to be at the increasingly popular event in Cincinnati on July 12, two days before the MLB All Star Game.
Nola has had a terrific season this year, leading some to argue he should already have been promoted to the big leagues. In 12 starts at Double-A Reading, he went 7-3 with a 1.88 ERA, notching 59 strikeouts and just nine walks in 76 2/3 innings. He's only had two starts for Triple-A Lehigh, but he's given up just three earned runs in 12 2/3 innings there, with 14 strikeouts and two walks.
Crawford has been crazily effective for Reading, hitting .298/.402/.423 with eight doubles and an impressive 18 walks in 24 games, with just 11 strikeouts. If he continues on this pace, he'll be a Phillie by some time next year.
J.P. Crawford has reached base in 39 straight games, including all 24 at AA. .327 AVG and .420 OBP in that stretch
— Matt Breen (@matt_breen) June 25, 2015
J.P. Crawford draws a leadoff walk for Reading; he's now reached in each of his 23 Double-A games #phillies
— Mike Drago (@mldrago) June 23, 2015
Before he got hurt last week, outfielder Roman Quinn could have been the team's third participant in the game. In Reading, the 22-year-old center fielder was hitting .306/.356/.435 with six doubles, six triples, and 29 stolen bases in 58 games.
The Phils don't have a lot going for them at the Major League level just now, but there is help on the way.