Parting with prospects: who will stay and who will go?

The trade deadline is rapidly approaching, and, regardless of whether or not you believe in the current iteration of this Phillies team — they will be buyers this July.

At this juncture, it becomes imperative that the team begins shopping for controllable pieces, as they’ll look to retain, and build upon, their current foundation through the 2020 season.

However, as is custom in the baseball world, the more control attached to a player, the more of a price said player commands. Thus, we as fans are going to have to learn to say goodbye to some promising talent, as we did with Sixto Sanchez this summer, when the team shipped him for JT Realmuto.

The Untouchables:

It’s no secret that the Phillies aren’t ready to go to “all in” this year, especially after losing Andrew McCutchen, An unnamed center fielder, and 70% of their bullpen.

This being the case, it becomes more and more probable that the Phillies will hold on to their top-tier talent.

Alec Bohm, 3B, Double-A:

Bohm is considered by many to be the Phillies’ top prospect, and he hasn’t stopped hitting throughout his swift rise through the minors.

Alec also seems to have found his power stroke in Double-A Reading, which makes him an even more enticing bat to watch.

There’s not much more to be said — the kid is a stud.

Season Stats (Single-A, High-A, Double-A): .317/.383/.534, 14 HR, .917 OPS, 53 R, 58 RBI

Spencer Howard, RHP, Double-A:

Howard, like Bohm, is oft considered to be a top prospect in the system.

Spencer hit the Injured List a little while ago, but was off to a torrid start to the season, and maintained that pace after he returned from the IL a few weeks ago.

It was also recently rumored that Howard is due to be promoted to Double-A Reading in the coming days.

He’s got insane stuff, and has seemingly refined his command. He will surely be off limits this deadline season.

Season Stats (High-A): 40.1 IP, 1.79 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, 12.5 K/9, 1.3 BB/9

We’d Prefer to Keep ‘em:

Luis Garcia, SS, Single-A:

For whatever reason, many seem to think, because the Phillies drafted shortstop, Bryson Stott, in the first round of the 2019 draft, that Garcia somehow becomes expendable. The trouble there is, said people don’t truly understand how valuable Luis Garcia is.

His stats in Lakewood may not impress you, but it’s important to note that Garcia is just 19 years-old — 3.5 years UNDER the Single-A league average. It’s also likely that his coaches are tinkering with Garcia’s swing in order to induce a more power-prone approach at the plate, thus effecting his numbers.

We’re talking about a future blue-chip talent here; natural contact ability, raw, yet superb defensive capabilities, and superior plate patience. Just because the team has drafted new talent at the same position doesn’t mean you have to get rid of your premiere talent at that same position.

Season Stats (Single-A): .189/.269/.272, 4 HR, .542 OPS, 25 R, 27 RBI, 8 SB

Mickey Moniak, OF, Double-A:

As the first overall pick of the 2016 MLB Draft, Moniak was expected to be the saving grace of a struggling Phillies ball club.

While, it took some time for him to develop, Mickey is finally beginning to look like the player we’d all expected him to be a few years ago.

Moniak, like Luis Garcia, is supremely young for where he is in his development. At 21 years-old, he’s 3.1 years younger than the average age of his fellow Double-A players.

Over the course of his year in Reading, Moniak has showed flashes of excellence. He began the year dreadfully slow, but turned in a stellar month of May (.290/.315/.439,) and an absolutely brilliant June (.294/.392/.480.)

What is perhaps most encouraging about Moniak is his impressive ability to adapt. He’s playing at a very competitive level of baseball, and is consistently making adjustments to better his game — as exemplified in his rise in On Base % from May to June.

While I would love to place Mickey in the untouchables, I do think there are eventualities in which he is dealt. That said, I don’t think any team will truly recognize his value, therefore making him exceptionally unlikely to be dealt.

Season Stats (Double-A): .266/.328/.437, 5 HR, .765 OPS, 48 R, 44 RBI, 13 SB, 10 3B (!)

Francisco Morales, RHP, Single-A:

Morales has been a very exciting prospect to watch over the course of his Lakewood season. His fastball/slider combination is absolutely ridiculous, and the changeup is progressing, which is welcome news.

The biggest concern surrounding Morales is his slightly erratic control, which, though still a work in progress, is much improved from last year.

Oh, he’s also just 19 years-old.

Overall, Morales is looking to be a supremely promising arm. There’s some work to be done, but the Phillies aren’t keen to deal him.

Season Stats (Single-A): 65.1 IP, 3.99 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 12.4 K/9, 4.1 BB/9

Adam Haseley, OF, MLB:

Based upon their current depth predicament, the Phillies are unlikely to deal from their Major League ready outfielders — especially when it comes to someone as talented as Adam Haseley.

He doesn’t even need a writeup — by now, the entirety of the Phillie fanbase knows how good this kid is.

Season Stats (Double-A, Triple-A): .275/.360/.481, 10 HR, .840 OPS, 38 R, 30 RBI

On The Block:

The Phillies are obviously expecting to shed some talent from the system at the deadline, and these particular players are likely the most valuable pieces that they’re looking to part with.

Adonis Medina, RHP, Double-A:

Medina is a high-profile pitching prospect with three plus-pitches at his disposal. That said, he’s having a less-than-great season in Reading, dampening his value slightly.

While it would be nice to say that Adonis has clear-cut starter potential, many believe he profiles more as a reliever long-term. However, that’s not to say that opposing scouts won’t be enticed by his current progression out of the rotation.

Medina is easily the heftiest asset the Phillies are willing to deal. He’ll likely head up any package in the Phillies’ pursuit for a starting pitcher.

Season Stats (Double-A): 76.2 IP, 4.34 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 3.1 BB/9

Simon Muzziotti, OF, High-A:

After signing in 2015, Muzzy quickly made a name for himself with his impressive contact ability and plus speed.

This year, Simon is stringing all of his tools together, and has become the starting center fielder in Clearwater. He’s rarely striking out, and is hitting for solid average, while swiping bags regularly.

He’s surely catching the eye of many-a-scout, and will appeal to any trade partners the Phillies see fit.

Season Stats (High-A): .275/.330/.361, 2 HR, .691 OPS, 41 R, 25 RBI, 16 SB

Mauricio Llovera, RHP, Double-A:

While his control has taken a step back from where it was in 2018, Mauricio Llovera still sports a vast arsenal of effective pitches, and throws them all for strikes. His fastball touches 97 with a sharp bite, and he mixes in a plus slider, as well as a solid changeup.

Llovera is loved by many scouts — primarily because he boasts such natural ability.

That said Mauricio can be relatively inconsistent, and has battled injuries all year (he currently resides on the Injured List.) This could worry some teams, as well as entice others, should they see an opportunity to acquire him for a lesser price as part of a package.

Season Stats (Double-A): 65.1 IP, 4.55 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 9.9 K/9, 3.9 BB/9

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This trade deadline will shape the remainder of the Phillies’ 2019 season.

If they want to make a last-ditch effort to win the division, they can do that.

If they want to shift minimal talent and attempt to hang onto a Wild Card spot, they can do that.

If they want to stand pat and address their apparent needs in the offseason, they can do that, too.

Yet, if there’s one thing we can all agree on;

It’s going to be a very exciting six days.