The Phillies Have a Prospect Problem
On October 22, the Philadelphia Phillies made a hiring decision. No, it wasn’t for a manager (though that announcement should come by the end of the month).
Instead, it was for the position of amateur scouting director, and the move could be just as impactful as whoever is chosen to lead the helm next season.
Brian Barber will come over to the Phillies after spending the past 18 seasons with the New York Yankees. It’s the hope that he can help the Phillies do a better job of, well, scouting.
The Phillies have not had much success with their home-grown talent in recent memory. While we wait for the first-round picks of Adam Haseley, Alec Bohm, and Bryson Stott to develop and learn if they’re going to make an impact in the Major Leagues or not, there are too many names to count of guys who have more or less been a bust.
Cody Asche. Joe Savery. Dominic Brown. Darin Ruf. Jesse Biddle. Mickey Moniak. J.P. Crawford. Cornelius Randolph. Maikel Franco.
This list is full of guys the Phillies were banking on to be key figures on their team for years. Some have yet to make the Big Leagues, while others played so poorly they were released. Remember when Brown was the top prospect in all of baseball? The Phillies could have gotten almost anyone they wanted for him in a trade. Instead, he had one good half-season and is out of Major League Baseball.
This inability to either scout, draft, or develop correctly has been a problematic trend for the Phillies.
Just look at the two teams playing in the World Series, the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals. There’s a ton of home-grown talent on both clubs.
The Nationals have Stephen Strasburg, Juan Soto, Anthony Rendon, Ryan Zimmerman. The Astros developed the likes of Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, George Springer, and Alex Bregman. With players of that caliber, is it any wonder both of these teams are playing in the Fall Classic this year?
When was the last time the Phillies had a true hit with one of their prospects? Over ten years ago, with the likes of Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Ryan Howard? Sure, Aaron Nola will more than likely pan out, but it’s still early in his career to say that with any certainty.
With failure after failure in draft picks and prospects, it’s not that surprising that the Phillies haven’t made the postseason since 2011.
Barber will have a tall task ahead of him to change the Phillies drafting luck. If he’s successful, the Phillies could have a slew of home-grown talent, just like this year’s World Series contenders.
Photo: via @JClarkNBCS
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