Format = Position Player | Age on 4/1/2025 | Highest Level Played | Estimated Time of Arrival
1. OF Justin Crawford | 21 | AA | 2025
A right-handed thrower and left-handed hitter at 6’2” 188 lbs, Justin Crawford evokes his father at a glance and on the field, prompting the Phillies to take him 17th overall in 2022. The game moved in his direction over that off-season, opening up the base paths to speedsters with the aggression to run. In 110 games across two levels this year, Crawford swiped 42 bases in 51 attempts while slashing .313/.360/.444 with nine home runs and 93 strikeouts.
2. RHP Andrew Painter | 21 | AA | 2025
At 6’7” 215 lbs with upper nineties heat and superb balance throughout his delivery, Painter is the platonic ideal of a power pitcher, featuring plus command of a plus slider and changeup along with the big fastball and developing curve. When he was last on the mound in 2022, Painter threw 103.2 innings across three levels and recorded a 0.887 WHIP, which solidified him as the best pitching prospect in baseball at the time. He could reclaim that oft-dubious throne (or share it with Jackson Jobe) if he comes back healthy in 2025. No qualms with anyone who wants to rank him over Crawford.
3. SS Aidan Miller | 20 | AA | 2026
The 27th overall in 2023, Miller slashed .414/.528/.483 in ten games at the complex and then stole four bases with a .341 on base percentage in ten games at Low-A.In 2024, the 6’1” 205 pound Miller played 102 games across three levels and slashed .261/.366/.446 with 11 home runs and 23 steals. He was 2.1 years younger than his competition in High-A, so his numbers should be graded on a forgiving age-to-level curve. That said, I feel much lower on Miller than the segment of prospect world pushing way up the lists.
4. C Eduardo Tait | 18 | A | 2027
A left-handed hitter at 6’0” 175 lbs, Tait has superb feel for the barrel that helped him slash .302/.356/.486 in 76 games across two levels with 11 home runs, 64 strikeouts and 21 walks. He’s also a good enough athlete and thrower behind the plate that he projects to stay there. He’ll be younger than his leaguemates throughout his minor league career and should make a beeline for the top of the rankings lists as he climbs the system.
5. OF Gabriel Rincones Jr. | 24 | AA | 2025
He’s kind of a proximity play on this list, but the 6’3” 215 lb lefty has plenty of upside in his own right. In 68 games across two levels, Rincones Jr. slashed .252/.347/.453 with 11 home runs and 23 steals. I’ll be kind of surprised if he carves out a role on a roster like Philadelphia’s, but he’s a good enough hitter that a second-tier team might take a chance on him as an everyday option rotating between corner outfield spots, designated hitter, and perhaps first base.
6. OF Griffin Burkholder | 19 | A | 2028
A plus-plus athlete at 6’2” 195 lbs from the right side, Burkholder was the 63rd overall pick in 2024 but signed for an over-slot $2.5 million. His double-plus speed gives him a good chance to start in center field, and his overall skill set gives him a chance to be a five-category rotisserie contributor. He’s a 2nd round target for me in first-year-player drafts this winter.
7. SS Starlyn Caba | 19 | A | 2027
A smooth-defending switch hitter who signed for $3 million, Caba posted a .423 on base percentage with 16 steals, 16 strikeouts and 28 walks in his first 38 games last year. 2024 was less impressive. He got on base a lot on the complex (.427) but slugged just .335 in 52 games there and then got the bat knocked out of his hand for a month in Low-A, slashing just .179/.309/.189 in 26 games. On the positive side, Caba stole 50 total bases in those 78 games, and his great defensive hands give him long-term topside and runway as a hitter.
8. 2B Aroon Escobar | 20 | CPX | 2028
A compact hitter with a quick swing, Escobar has walked more than he’s struck out throughout his career and saw his outcomes make a leap on the complex league this season, where he slashed .338/.495/.481 with three home runs and nine stolen bases. He drew 21 walks and struck out just 10 times. If the 5’10” 180 lb righty can replicate anything like that line in full-season ball, he’ll be a nice find for any dynasty teams who add him.
9. OF Dante Nori | 20 | A | 2028
The 24th overall pick in 2024, Nori’s a center field prospect at 5’10” 190 lbs from the left side. He’s been traveling the wastelands of middle earth with Gandalf this fall but should be good to go in Low-A to open 2025. He closed out the season with 14 games at the level this year, slashing .240/.424/.280 with four steals and 16 walks against 14 strikeouts. It’s been interesting to see Philadelphia lean into having plus defenders in the major league outfield and throughout the organization these past few years.
10. RHP Mick Abel | 23 | AAA | 2024
The 15th overall pick in 2020, Abel was a 6’5” 190 lb high schooler with impressive stuff but spotty command. Four years later, his stuff remains great but the command hasn’t come along like the team might’ve hoped. In 108.2 Triple-A innings this year, he walked 78 batters (6.46 walks per nine innings or 15.1%) and allowed 1.81 WHIP and 6.46 ERA. Another few months of that and Abel might find himself in the bullpen. I already kind of regret putting him here over RHP Moises Chace.
Thanks for reading!
