John Sickles - Top 20 Prospects - Philadelphia Phillies

1) Maikel Franco, 3B, Grade A-: Posted .926 OPS in Double-A at age 20 with a low strikeout rate, 31 homers on the season, 36 doubles with just 70 whiffs in 581 PA. Despite impeccable performance at young age, some observers still critique his swing and overall approach. Usually serious swing problems show up with an elevated strikeout rate and/or serious production slippage in the high minors, but so far that hasn’t occurred. We’ll see what happens in Triple-A, but overall I can’t see how Franco is anything but an elite prospect.

2) J.P. Crawford, SS, Grade B+: Very impressed with his pro debut, looks like he’ll stick at shortstop and his bat looks more advanced than expected, should hit for average and get on base. I suspect he may surprise us with some power eventually.

3) Jesse Biddle, LHP, Grade B+: Borderline B. Needs to get the walks down and sharpen command. If that happens I still see a mid-rotation arm. Pitched through whooping cough last year, which likely had a negative effect of some kind. That can leave you weakened for months.

4) Roman Quinn, SS, Grade B-: Blazing speed, ’13 season cut short by broken wrist. Crawford likely moves him to another position, will need to improve OBP abilities to project as a genuine leadoff type.

5) Carlos Tocci, OF, Grade B-: The good: all tools solid or better, very good fielder, sweet swing. The bad: his actual production was dismal: .209/.261/.249 in 421 at-bats. The mitigating factor: he was the second-youngest player in the Sally League and really had no business at that level. The questions: will this Social Darwinist player development approach help or hinder Tocci’s progress? It didn’t seem to hurt his confidence. He has the upside of an All-Star outfielder but that assumes he adds strength to his frame, and that said strength translates into production. Long-term project.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/