2015 Phillies minor-league season review

A look at how the top players in the Phillies minor-league system performed this season, and where they could be next year.

SS, Reading (AA)

The Phillies' top prospect impressed in almost every facet of the game after being promoted to Reading in May. He plays shortstop with great range and a strong arm. He runs the bases with speed and hustle. He showed great plate discipline, earning a walk in more than half his games. He proved that he could reach the majors as soon as next summer. Crawford did all of this as the Eastern League's second-youngest player. He turns 21 in January and was limited to sparkling cider when Reading clinched a division title. He said he expects to win a World Series in Philadelphia. If so, Crawford will be of legal age by then.

2B, Lakewood (low A)

The Phillies selected Kingery out of the University of Arizona in the second round in June. The second baseman batted .250 with a .314 on-base percentage in 66 games. The Phillies were surprised to have a shot at Kingery in the second round. They project him to be an advanced hitter and an everyday second baseman. He will likely start next season by making the jump to high-A Clearwater.

1B, Clearwater (high A)

Hoskins earned a promotion to Clearwater after a torrid first half with Lakewood. He aced the new challenge. He batted .317 with a .510 slugging percentage in 67 games with Clearwater. He hit 17 homers this season, which ranked him behind only Ryan Howard for the lead in the entire organization. He will take his power bat to double-A Reading next.

1B, Lakewood (low-A)

Drafted in the fourth round in June, martin batted .279, hit five home runs, and drove in 37 runs in his first 65 professional games. He finished the season by batting .311 with a pair of home runs in his last 12 games. The 22-year-old projects as a power hitter. He hit 14 homers in his senior year at the University of South Carolina. If all goes well, he could play the first half of next season in Clearwater before jumping to Reading.

1B, Lehigh Valley (AAA)

Joseph missed most of the season after suffering a concussion in May. The injury ended his career as a catcher and led to his move to first base. The Phillies hope the position change causes Joseph to perform better at the plate. He batted .247 with three homers and 12 RBIs in his 25 games as a first baseman. Joseph will need to remain on the 40-man roster this offseason to avoid being available in the Rule 5 draft. A strong spring training could have him in competition for a major-league roster spot.

1B, Reading (AA)

Stassi ended the regular season with a .300 batting average, 15 home runs, and 90 RBIs in 131 games. He was named the Eastern League's MVP as Reading won a division title. The Phillies drafted him in the 33d round in 2011, and Stassi defied the odds to become a productive minor-leaguer. Stassi will likely open next season at triple A and will have a chance to prove his worth. He has never faced triple-A pitching, but a team could still take a chance on him in the Rule 5 draft if the Phillies leave him unprotected.

SS, Clearwater (high A)

Canelo's numbers were not as strong in the second half after he moved from Lakewood to Clearwater. The shortstop batted .250 in 63 games with the Threshers after batting .311 in the same amount of games at Lakewood. He is 21 years old and will likely start next season at Clearwater, which would give the team a strong middle infield when he is paired with Kingery.

2B, Williamsport (short-season A)

Tobias, drafted in the 10th round in June, excelled in his first professional season. He batted .321 with 26 extra-base hits in 61 regular-season games. Tobias played mostly third base at Florida but moved to second base after being drafted. He has the ability to play anywhere in the infield. He will likely start next season at Lakewood, with strong odds for a second-half promotion to Clearwater.

SS/2B, Gulf Coast League (rookie)

The Phillies signed Arauz out of Panama last summer for $600,000. He turned 17 in August and just completed his first professional season. Originally a shortstop, Arauz spent time this summer at both shortstop and second base. He batted .254 in the Gulf Coast League, where he was the league's youngest player.

Reading (AA)

Williams was acquired from Texas as part of the Cole Hamels trade. He has played exclusively in center field and batted leadoff. Williams missed the first week of September when he was sidelined with a concussion. He returned in time for the playoffs. Williams batted .320 in 22 games with Reading. He displayed a strong arm and good speed on the bases. He can play either corner outfield position.

Reading (AA)

Quinn has been sidelined since June with a tear in his hip flexor. He had a great first half as Reading's leadoff hitter and centerfielder. Quinn stole 29 bases in 58 games, averaging roughly a steal every two games. He showed great growth at the plate, too, batting .306. He joined Reading for its playoff series but will be a spectator. Quinn should start next season back with Reading.

Clearwater (high A)

Tocci began the season in Lakewood before moving to Clearwater for the second half. He batted .258 in 68 games, far below the numbers he put up with Lakewood. Tocci turned 20 in August and still has time to grow at the plate. He will likely begin next season at Clearwater.

Gulf Coast League (rookie)

Randolph displayed a strong bat during his first season as a professional. The Phillies drafted him in the first round in June and immediately moved him from shortstop to left field. The position switch suited him well, as Randolph is a good athlete with the speed to play the outfield. He batted .302 in 53 games. He likely will be tested with a full 2016 in Lakewood.

Lehigh Valley (AAA)

Dugan's season was delayed by a foot injury he suffered before spring training. He arrived in Reading in June and dominated double-A pitching. Dugan, who plays either right or left field, hit .315 in 44 games with Reading. He was promoted to triple A in August, but the results were mixed. Dugan batted .221 in 36 games with the IronPigs. He will be invited to major-league spring training and likely will start next season in Lehigh Valley.

RHP, Reading (AA)

The 21-year-old has been lights-out since being acquired from Texas as part of the Cole Hamels trade. Thompson had a 1.80 ERA in seven starts with Reading. He struck out 34 batters and walked just 12 in 45 innings. Thompson flashes a major-league slider with a low-90s fastball. He will likely start next season at triple-A Lehigh Valley. If all goes well, expect to see him in the majors next season.

RHP, Reading (AA)

Eflin, 21, has been the best return in the Jimmy Rollins trade. He spent a month this summer with Team USA at the Pan Am Games. Eflin's best trait is his command and composure. He has walked just 23 batters in 1312/3 innings. He added a slider in the first half of the season and crafted a curveball in his last few starts. He started the season as the youngest pitcher at double A. He will likely go to Lehigh Valley next season, but he could start at Reading for a few months. He should reach the majors next season.

RHP, Clearwater (high A)

Pinto excelled in Clearwater after being promoted in June from Lakewood. He had a 2.87 ERA in 781/3 regular-season innings. The 21-year-old ended the season with just six walks in his final 30 innings. Pinto started Clearwater's playoff game on Tuesday night, allowing three runs in six innings. He is the favorite to win the Paul Owens Award, given each year to the Phillies' top minor-league pitcher and position player. He is ticketed to begin next season at Reading, which will provide another good test.

RHP, Williamsport (short-season A)

Kilome is one of the organization's most intriguing prospects. He matches his mid-90s fastball with a curveball and change-up. The Phillies signed him when he was 17, and this was his first season above rookie league. Kilome, 20, ended the regular season by pitching six innings in two of his final three starts as the Phillies started to stretch him out. He had a 3.28 ERA in 491/3 innings. He should be headed to Lakewood next year for his first full professional season.

LHP, Reading (AA)

Windle was moved to the bullpen after 14 starts after being acquired as part of the Jimmy Rollins trade. As a reliever, Windle can focus on throwing his slider and fastball and not forcing his still-developing change-up. He thrived in the bullpen, compiling a 1.69 ERA in 20 appearances. He did not allow an earned run in all but five of his outings. The move should get him to the majors as early as opening day next season, since the Phillies lack lefthanded relief pitching.

RHP, Reading (AA)

Lively was acquired in December from Cincinnati for Marlon Byrd. He was inconsistent in his first season with the Phillies organization. Lively allowed four or more runs in eight of his 25 starts and finished the regular season with a 4.13 ERA. Lively struggled to command his fastball and he missed two weeks in August with a shoulder strain. The 23-year-old should start next season in triple A simply because of his age.

RHP, Reading (AA)

Pivetta struggled after being acquired from Washington for Jonathan Papelbon. He was left off Reading's postseason roster. He had a 7.31 ERA in six starts with the Fightin Phils. He allowed six runs in two innings in his final start of the season. The 22-year-old will likely start next season back at Reading.

LHP, Lehigh Valley (AAA)

Next season will be vital for Biddle's future with the Phillies. The former first-round pick reached triple A in July but was inconsistent. He finished the season on the disabled list with a shoulder strain. He had a 6.25 ERA in nine starts with the IronPigs and walked 27 batters in 442/3 innings. His performance in major-league spring training will determine the starting point of his seventh season with the organization.

Gulf Coast League (rookie) 

Alfaro was the centerpiece of the package the Phillies received from Texas for Cole Hamels. He was expected to miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury he suffered in June, but he was able to play three rehab games in the Gulf Coast League. He batted .253 with five homers, 21 RBIs, and a .314 on-base percentage this season with Texas' double-A affiliate. The 22-year-old has a strong arm and great bat speed. He is one of the best catching prospects in baseball and would have played for double-A Reading had he not been injured. He will likely start next season with Reading.

Reading (AA)

Knapp caught fire after being promoted to Reading in late June. He batted .360 in 55 regular-season games with the Fightin Phils with 11 homers, 56 RBIs, and a .419 on-base percentage. The 23-year-old was drafted out of the University of California in 2013. He will play in the Arizona Fall League and should start next season at triple A. Because of Alfaro, a position change is possible.

Lakewood (low A)

The 19-year-old spent his first full season with the BlueClaws after joining them at the end of 2014. He batted .221 in 106 games, but in his final 32 games he batted .288 with a .358 on-base percentage. He's a strong defender with a good arm. Grullon turns 20 in February and his age could allow him to spend another season with Lakewood.

Lehigh Valley (AAA)

In 14 months, Lino went from single-A Lakewood to triple A. The 22-year-old is a solid defensive catcher, but his bat needs to catch up. He hit .215 in 53 games with the IronPigs and .266 in 32 games earlier this season at double A. He was acquired from Baltimore in 2012 for Jim Thome and has proved to be a strong return for a veteran player.

Clearwater (high A)

Astudillo batted .314 to capture the Florida State League's batting title. The 23-year-old split his time this season between catcher and third base. He struck out in a playoff game Tuesday after going 93 at-bats without one. He batted .324 between Lakewood and Clearwater. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to double A.