Prospect lists are typically more subjective than objective. That is what makes them fun to discuss, share and analyze. MLB Pipeline, an industry standard regarding ranking the future stars of the sport, released an updated list of its Top 100 Prospects in the game and the Phillies have four of their top farmhands not only still on the list, but also moving up. Most notably, Andrew Painter who is now considered a top five prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline. Here’s a look at all four Top-100 prospects for the Phillies.
Phillies top-100 prospect overview
Andrew Painter, RHP, #5 (previously #8)
The headliner of course is the Phillies’ young starlet, Andrew Painter. With his highly anticipated major league debut scheduled for some point this summer, the hard throwing star pitcher in the making is now inside the top-5 echelon across the sport.
He made his Triple-A debut last Thursday and proved his worthiness of being considered a top-five prospect in the game, whiffing the top overall prospect in baseball in Boston’s Romany Anthony on four pitches to open up his outing. Painted racked up five strikeouts, all with his curveball in three scoreless innings of work.
He did run into trouble in his final frame, walking Anthony which seemed to have frustrated Painter who then proceeded to walk the bases loaded before escaping the jam.
“I thought it was good,” Painter said on his thoughts on his Triple-A debut. ” I would have loved to have gone out for the fourth. Worked myself out of the jam and at the end of the day can’t complain about that.”
Painter threw 60 pitches, which was the pitch count the Phillies had him tabbed at. His next start is expected to be Thursday on the road at Syracuse. Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports reported that the plan is for Painter go five innings or throw 70-75 pitches in his next start.
So far this season between Low-A and Triple-A, Painter is 0-2 with a 3.14 ERA in five starts. he has racked up 17 strikeouts in 14.1 innings of work.
Aidan Miller, SS, #25 (previously #27)
The young shortstop has moved up two spots on the list of 100 despite a slow start to the season in Double-A. Miller is slashing just .213/.309/.324 with a .633 OPS in 28 games with Reading. The less than stellar start could be expected from the talented shortstop who played in just five games at the level to close out a strong 2024 campaign where he climbed three levels.
Last season, Miller started the year with Low-A Clearwater and slashed .275/.401/.483 in 39 games before earning a call to High-A Jersey Shore. he put up solid numbers with the BlueClaws hitting .258 while getting on base at a .353 clip belting six homers and driving in 32 runs before finishing the season in the Eastern League.
Miller, just 20, opened the season as the second-youngest player in the Eastern League and could well be a fixture of the Phillies for years to come.
Justin Crawford, OF, #56 (previously #64)
Perhaps the most notable and aggressive assignments for any prospect in the Phillies’ system was Crawford’s designation to Triple-A. The Phillies wanted to challenge their speedy outfielder and so far, the 21-year-old has held his own.
Starting the season as the fifth-youngest player in the International League, Crawford said last week he is still working on his approach at the plate despite hitting over .300 through his first 34 games.
“I’m still making adjustments. It’s not really easy. I have been trusting my routine and my approach and doing everything I have done to get here. Just trying to stay even keeled, taking it one at-bat at a time.”
Crawford is tied for ninth in the International League in batting average and at one point had a 15-game on-base streak where he getting aboard at a .462 clip while hitting .388 during that stretch. His overall season slash line is .319/.386/.411 to go along with 12 stolen bases.
Eduardo Tait, C, #77 (previously #93)
With a lot of attention on the Triple-A squad, deservedly so, Tait has been impressing in the lower minors with Low-A Clearwater. At 18-years-old and the second-youngest player in the league, he is putting together a very solid first full season with the Threshers. In 26 games he is slashing a respectable .280/.331/.523 with an .854 OPS.
His six home runs are tied for sixth-most in the Florida State League and one shy of his teammate Aroon Escobar. The backstop also ranks fourth in the league with his 21 RBIs. Over is last 15 games, the Panama native his hitting .313 with seven of his 20 hits going for extra bases with three doubles, a triple and three home runs during that stretch. If he keeps that pace up, he could expect a potential promotion to Jersey Shore to close out his first full season as a pro.
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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