The Phillies season is well underway and so are all the club's minor league affiliates. This week we will be focusing on specific players throughout the Phillies' farm system. We will highlight some of the top future stars for the Phillies. Some of these guys you will see in the big leagues as early as this year, and some guys give us a look into the future of Phillies baseball.
Jordan Luplow RF (AAA)
The MLB journeyman has found a new home with the Phillies in 2024 after spending 2023 with the Twins organization. Now with the Phillies and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Luplow is off to a hot start. In 44 at bats this season, Luplow has 17 hits, 10 RBIs, and 3 home runs. Luplow has been the best hitter for the IronPigs this season. The Pigs' 1-9 in the lineup have all had MLB experience over the years. He currently leads the team in hits, runs, homeruns, and RBI's. He has played in 13 games this season which are also a team high. He could potentially be the first name called up if someone on the MLB outfield heads to the IL.
Griff McGarry RP (AAA)
The big debate for McGarry headed into this season is would he remain a starter or would he transition over to the bullpen. He has pitched in 4 games this season and has been called into relief in each one of them. In 6.1 innings pitched he has given up 7 hits and 4 earned runs. He has not pitched great this season and there was an expectation that he could be called up to the MLB at some point this season. If the Phillies get hit with the injury bug he may find his way to the show, but for now McGarry still needs to continue to work down in AAA.
Mick Abel SP (AAA)
The Phillies 2nd rated prospect has started two games for the IronPigs this season. Between both starts he has 6.1 innings pitched while giving up 8 hits, 7 unearned runs, and 5 earned runs. I have been a huge fan of Abel heading into the season. There was hope he would get called up at some point in 2024, but from the looks of things, we won't see him until 2025.
Kody Clemens UTL (AAA)
If the Phillies had one more open spot on their roster, it would have gone to Clemens. He has been hitting the ball so well this season. He has 13 hits, 10 RBI's, and 3 home runs so far in 2024. Defensively he has seen action all over the field. If the Phillies want a left-handed bat off the bench who can also fill in multiple holes in the field, Clemens is your guy.
Gabriel Rincones Jr RF/DH (AA)
I had a feeling Rincones Jr could find his way to the active roster by mid-2025. The way he is swinging his bat, he could be a late season call-up for the Phillies. If you are unfamiliar with his game, he is exactly what you would expect from your DH. He has incredible power but struggles with strikeouts. He still has some work to do, but if he continues to make good contact, he could be a sleeper call-up this September.
Matt Osterberg SP (AA)
Reading has struggled in the early parts of 2024. The only exception has been Matt Osterberg who has been lights out. In his two starts this season, Osterberg has given up 8 hits, 1 earned run, while striking out 9. Lehigh Valley has struggled pitching this season. Osterberg could be a potential promotion to AAA this season. I do not forsee him getting called up to the Phillies, but he is a name to monitor.
Justin Crawford CF (A+)
Crawford is the Phillies 4th rated prospect and the son of former MLB All-star Carl Crawford. He is hitting an even .300 to start the season while collecting 9 hits, 2 homeruns, and 5 RBI's. Even when Crawford gets on base, he is a menace to the opposing team. He has 6 stolen bases while only being caught once so far in 2024. I have been a huge fan of Crawford since he was drafted. The more I watch him play, the more he looks like his father. His arrival in Philly is still a few years away, but keep an eye on him for the future.
Jean Cabrera SP (A+)
The BlueClaws have a pair of starters that have been lights out so far this season. Cabrera is up first. He has pitched in 10 innings across 2 starts and has given up 4 hits,1 earned run, while striking out 14 batters. He has been unhittable, and it makes sense when his opponents' batting average is .121. Cabrera has turned some heads early this season. He was not on my radar too much to start the season, but he most definitely is now.
Sam Aldegheri SP (A+)
Aldegheri was the one pitcher for Jersey Shore that was on my radar, and he has proven why so far in 2024. Similar to Jean Cabrera, he has been lights out. He has pitched in 10.1 innings across 2 starts giving up 4 hits, 0 earned runs, while striking out 11. Aldegheri was my pick for a big jump in the minors this season, and it is a matter of time until he gets promoted to AA.
Aidan Miiller 3B (A)
I really try not to get myself overly hyped on a player in the minors since there is a giant difference between the minor leagues and the major leagues. There is an even bigger difference between Single-A and the MLB. That plan has all been thrown out the door for the Phillies 2023 1st round pick and 3rd rated prospect Aidan Miller. In his 39 at bats this season, he is hitting .359 with 14 hits, 2 home runs, and 9 RBI's. It is only a matter of time until he goes to High-A. His arrival in Philly is not until 2027. Keep an eye on Miller, because there may be a future star in Clearwater.
George Klasssen SP (A)
There have been a lot of bright spots for the Phillies minor league players this season and a lot of players have played brilliantly. However, none of them have played as good as Klassen has. For Klassen it is better to break down his 2 starts. In his 1st start he went 5 innings, giving up 1 hit, 0 walks, 0 runs, while striking out 9. Six days later he pitched 5 scoreless innings while he gave up 2 hits, walked 2, and struck out 8. If he continues to pitch like this, he could fly through the minor leagues similar to Orion Kerkering did last season.
-Adam Mack (@adammackMLB)
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