Original Published Date: April 18, 2014

Updated: June 9, 2014

The Philadelphia Phillies are going for it one last time.  To accomplish, they’ve brought in aging veterans like Marlon Byrd and A.J. Burnett to try and push them over the finish line.  Will it work?  It’s doubtful and the rebuild could be just around the corner.  They do have a couple of impact players in Maikel Franco and Jesse Biddle who could contribute in 2014, or more importantly be part of the rebuilding process in the second half.

1. Next in Line Infield Prospects

• Ronny Cedeno (SS/2B, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Low
• Maikel Franco (3B, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Medium
• Tommy Joseph (C, Double-A) – Fantasy relevance: Low

Notes: Maikel Franco exploded for 31 home runs across High-A and Double-A and quickly rose to rarefied prospect air entering the season.  So far in 2014, it’s been tough going for the 21-year-old in Triple-A.  In 126 at-bats, he’s slugging .349 with three home runs.  While many Dynasty League owners are worried, his struggles show the difficulty of the game.  He’ll improve and should become a solid major league contributor, it’s just likely to be delayed.  Tommy Joseph looks like the future catcher for the Phillies and despite being in Double-A, could see a September call-up.

2. Next in Line Outfield Prospects

• Clete Thomas (OF, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Low
• Tyson Gillis (OF, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Low

Notes: Wow, the Phillies really don’t have any impact outfielders in the upper-minors.  In fact, you’ve got to go all the way to Low-A to find a potential solid regular major league outfielder.  It’s barren to say the least.

3. Next in Line Pitching Prospects

• Brad Lincoln (RHP, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Low
• Jesse Biddle (RHP, Double-A) – Fantasy relevance: High

Notes: Brad Lincoln is simply a place-holder for several pitchers on the Lehigh Valley IronPigs who profile as back-of-the-rotation starters or swing men.  The impact arm in the system is Jesse Biddle.  Biddle has a solid arsenal with a fastball that sits 90-92 MPH, a slow curve that sits anywhere from 70-74 MPH, and a pretty good change-up that he runs up to the plate at 77-78 MPH.  He’s pitching well in Double-A and could see Philadelphia in the second half.

4. Next in Line Relief Prospects

• Phillippe Aumont (RHP, Triple-A)  – Fantasy relevance: Low
• Kenny Giles (RHP, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Medium – PROMOTED: 6/7/14