10 Names You Need To Know – Philadelphia Phillies

Even though baseball games are due to start this week, this is an uncertain time where we are seeing teams add their recent draft picks to the player pool. While many of these players probably won’t see major league time this year, some are getting the opportunity to train and learn from other big-league players and coaches, which can help them in their development. For today, we’re going to take a look at the top 10 names you should know in the Phillies organization.


Please note that these aren’t the team’s top 10 prospects but, rather, a list of the ten players who any baseball fan should be aware of and to see if they can contribute to the team this year. For more information about these and other prospects, check out my Phillies Top 50 Preseason List.

Alec Bohm, 3B (2020 Preseason Rank: 1)
Opening Day Age: 23, DOB: 08/03/1996
2019 Highest Level: Reading AA
2019 Stats: 125 G, 540 PA, .305/.378/.518, 76 R, 21 HR, 80 RBI, 6 SB, 13.5 K%, 10.5 BB% (across three levels)
Bohm is well-known to prospect fans and much has been written about his potential in the big leagues. He’s on this list for the opportunity that he has in front of him with the DH being implemented in the National League this year for the first time. Bohm would have been an early-season call-up this year but with the DH slot, his pathway to playing time could arrive as soon as August, if not on Opening Day.

Spencer Howard, RHP (2020 Preseason Rank: 2)
Opening Day Age: 23, DOB: 07/28/1996
2019 Highest Level: Reading AA
Stats: 15 G, 15 GS, 2.03 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 71 IP, 94 K, 16 BB. 11.9 K/9, 5.88 K/BB (across four levels)
Howard is the best pitching prospect the team has had since Cole Hamels. For a team with playoff aspirations, the Phillies should have no problems giving the right-hander a shot at the rotation if any of their starting five go down at all this year, for one reason or another. Expect some growing pains at first but Howard has the potential to develop into a solid 2 perhaps as soon as this year.

Johan Rojas, OF (2020 Preseason Rank: 12)
Opening Day Age: 19, DOB: 08/14/2000 (2020 Preseason Rank: 12)
2019 Highest Level: Williamsport A-
2019 Stats: 60 G, 256 PA, .265/.313/.429, 30 R, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 14 SB, 16.0 K%, 5.4 BB% (across two levels)
Signed by the team in June 2018, Rojas is slowly gaining attention in prospect circles. He’s fast, has a solid hit tool and good power. As he matures and gains more experience, the power numbers will increase. Rojas is a good center fielder and plays with great enthusiasm and should continue moving up rankings.

Kendall Simmons, SS (2020 Preseason Rank: 5)
Opening Day Age: 19, DOB: 04/11/2000
2019 Highest Level: Williamsport A+
2019 Stats: .51 G, 205 PA, 234/.333/.520, 31 R, 12 HR, 34 RBI, 5 SB, 26.3 K%, 9.8 BB%
Simmons is one of my favorite middle-infield targets in dynasty leagues. His overall numbers don’t look that great but if you check out his 2nd half, he hit 7 home runs to go along with a .278/.398/.646 slash line in 2019. Simmons has great power and some speed and if he can work on controlling the strike zone slightly better, could be a very solid infielder in the majors.

Damon Jones, LHP (2020 Preseason Rank: 18)
Opening Day Age: 25, DOB: 09/30/1994
2019 Highest Level: Lehigh Valley AAA
2019 Stats: 23 G, 23 GS, 2.91 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 114.1 IP, 152 K, 59 BB, 12 K/9, 2.58 K/BB (across three levels)
Jones was dominant in A+ and AA least year which led some to believe a call-up to the majors was inevitable but he stumbled once he hit AAA. Even though he’s been a starter for most of his career, the team may need him in a relief role, where he could be a dominant reliever. Look for him to make his debut this year and keep an eye on him if you speculate on closers.

Addison Russ, RHP (2020 Preseason Rank: 33)
Opening Day Age: 25, DOB: 10/29/1994
2019 Highest Level: Reading AA
2019 Stats: 55 G, 0 GS, 2.54 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 56.2 IP, 81 K, 20 BB, 12.8 K/9, 4.05 K/BB
Addison has posted strong strikeout numbers during his time with the team and looked sharp in Spring Training Version 1. With teams having to rely more this year on their bullpen, Russ could make the team and provide holds, strikeouts and maybe even saves if given the opportunity.

Ramon Rosso, RHP (2020 Preseason Rank: 39)
Opening Day Age: 23, DOB: 06/09/1996
2019 Highest Level: Lehigh Valley AAA
2019 Stats: 24 G, 24 GS, 4.46 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 123 IP, 116 K, 46 BB, 8.5 K/9, 2.52 K/BB (across two levels)
Rosso struggled in his first taste of Triple-A after a solid run at Reading. He struggles with command and doesn’t have an overpowering fastball but he looked pretty sharp during Spring Training V1 earlier this year. Rosso has a good chance at contributing this year if given the opportunity.

Mick Abel, RHP (2020 Preseason Rank: Unranked)
Opening Day Age: 18, DOB: 08/18/2001
2019 Highest Level: Jesuit High School, Oregon
2019 Stats: 9-0, 1.34 ERA, .907 WHIP, 57.1 IP, 14.2 K/9, 4.74 K/BB
Abel was the team’s 1st round pick this past MLB Draft, selected 15th overall. He has a mid-90’s fastball with solid off-speed stuff. Abel projects confidence on the mound and has potential to be a strong 2 starter in the majors. He turns 19 next month so he’s still young but he’s very poised and mature for his age and could move quickly up the ladder. This season cancellation doesn’t do him any favors but it could give an owner a buy-low opportunity as there were other bigger names that went before him in the draft.

Casey Martin, SS (2020 Preseason Rank: Unranked)
Opening Day Age: 21, DOB: 04/07/1999
2019 Highest Level: Arkansas College, NCAA
Stats: 15 G, 71 PA, .271/.386/.458, 7 R, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 6 SB, 37.2 K%, 16.9 BB%
The Phillies selected Martin in the 3rd round this year after he slipped because of questions about his defense and increase in strikeouts. Martin was a first round talent prior to this year but small sample size applies, as he only had 59 at bats. Prior to 2020, he hit 28 home runs in 535 at bats with 18 steals. Martin’s defense along with the presence of Bryson Stott and Scott Kingery, may force a move to the outfield, but his speed and power combo will play if he can develop his hit tool.

Mauricio Llovera, RHP (2020 Midseason Rank: 37)
Opening Day Age: 23, DOB: 04/17/1996
2019 Highest Level: Reading AA
2019 Stats: 14 G, 12 GS, 4.55 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 65.1 IP, 72 K, 28 BB, 9.9 K/9, 2.57 K/BB
Llovera is on the 40-man roster so he may be higher on the depth chart than other players more talented than him already in camp. If given the chance, Llovera could be a 4th starter in the majors or perhaps a long-man for the team this year. He’s healthy again after a forearm injury shortened his season in 2019.

Tony Bps Spina is a lifelong baseball fan hailing from the City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia! Tony has loved baseball since 1980 and has followed the Phillies through good and bad times. Tony is married with 3 kids and works for a financial institution but has enough free time to play in 20 fantasy baseball leagues with 75% of them being Dynasty Leagues. He lives a few blocks away from Citizens Bank Park and attends many Phillies games per year in addition to their minor league teams in Lehigh Valley and Reading. He can be reached on Twitter at @TonyBps1.




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