
With the completion of the baseball season, it’s obvious the Phillies have some work to do both at the major league and minor league levels. The big league team missed the playoffs for the 10th straight year while the farm system affiliates ended up a combined 209-266. But, down in the minor leagues, there are some players who can potentially help your fantasy teams soon. This is the inaugural edition of the Phillies MiLB Awards so I hope you enjoy reading it. Who did I get right? Who did I get wrong? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter at @tonybps1. Each player’s highest level is listed next to their name and the stats are for the entire season unless noted otherwise.
MVP
Bryson Stott, 2B, AAA Notable Stats: .302/.393/.490, 16 HR, 10 SB (across three levels)
Stott started the year in A ball but was moved to AA after less than 100 at-bats. He played well during his time in Reading then was promoted to AAA and continued to hit. Stott isn’t known for one particular strength but is at least average in every category. If Didi Gregorius’s struggles continue next year, Stott has a great chance to be promoted early in the season. With his solid hit tool, if he can grow into a little more power, Stott could be a good prospect grab now, especially with how he’s been tearing it up in the Arizona Fall League.
Bryson Stott cranks his first Triple-A homer to extend the @IronPigs’ lead. pic.twitter.com/oR0GBKXqOW
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 24, 2021
Honorable Mentions:
Logan O’Hoppe, C, AAA Notable Stats: .272/.334/.463, 17 HR (across three levels)
Jhailyn Ortiz, OF, AA Notable Stats: .250/.346/.488, 23 HR, 113K in 340 AB (across two levels)
Cy Young
Adam Leverett, LHP, AA Notable Stats: 3.48 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 9.5 K/9 (across three levels)
Leverett was the team’s 2019 15th round pick out of Gordon State Junior College. He pitched well in 2019 and looked good in 2020 camp prior to this year. He dominated A ball in his 40.1 innings with 46 strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.92. Although he struggled somewhat in AA, Leverett did come out of nowhere to put himself squarely on the prospect map with this year’s performance. He’s definitely worth a flyer in dynasty leagues.
We’ve got another Baseballtown debut tonight with Adam Leverett getting the start!https://t.co/9DIn0NL6uT pic.twitter.com/XYDzZwKaSd
— Reading Fightin Phils (@ReadingFightins) June 26, 2021
Honorable Mentions:
Kyle Dohy, LHP, AAA Notable Stats: 2.95 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 13.7 K/9 (across two levels)
Fernando Lozano, RHP, A- Notable Stats: 2.57 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 3.5 BB/9 (across two levels)
Brian Marconi, LHP, AA Notable Stats: 2.42 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 11.4 K/9, 5.2 BB/9, 15 SV (across three levels)
Rookie of the Year
Griff McGarry, RHP, A+ Notable Stats: 2.96 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 15.9 K/9, 5.2 BB/9 (across two levels)
The Phillies picked McGarry in the 5th round of this year’s draft after a solid career at the University of Virginia. The righthander threw only 24.1 innings for the organization but he performed very well for A and A+ moving up the rankings quickly. He’s definitely one to keep an eye on as he grows and could be on the fast track to the majors.
Griff McGarry is absolutely disgusting.
Second best pick of the draft so far.
Elite FB and slider, control concerns.
Reminds me of Oswalt. pic.twitter.com/SWyvOP2QzZ
— Jack Fritz (@JackFritzWIP) July 12, 2021
Honorable Mentions:
Mick Abel, RHP, A+ Notable Stats: 4.43 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 11.3 K/9, 5.4 BB/9, 44.2 IP
Jordan Viars, OF Rookie Notable Stats: .255/.406/.468, 3 HR, 11 BB, 12K, 47 AB
Comeback Player of the Year
Mark Appel, RHP, AAA Notable Stats: 70 IP (across two levels)
If you aren’t familiar with Mark Appel’s story, be sure to read more into it here. He was the first overall pick in the 2013 draft but retired from baseball in February 2018 at 26 years old. Earlier this year, Mark announced he was making a comeback and started the season with AA before moving up to AAA. He recently joined Twitter @markappel26 and shares positive vibes daily. It’s hard not to root for this courageous and inspirational guy!!!
.@Phillies‘ Mark Appel struck out four in his first official outing since 2017.https://t.co/KjuMht82GB pic.twitter.com/lUryJhx1MP
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 8, 2021
Honorable Mentions:
Luis Garcia, SS, A+ Notable Stats: .243/.353/.414, 13 HR, 15 SB (across two levels)
Daniel Brito, 2B, AAA Notable Stats: .295/.364/.473, 8 HR (across two levels)
Down Seasons
Rodolfo Duran, C, AAA Notable Stats: .202/.237/.403, 6 HR (across two levels)
Francisco Morales, RHP, AAA Notable Stats: 4-14, 6.28 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 11.5 K/9, 6.6 BB/9 (across two levels)
Casey Martin, 2B, A+ Notable Stats: .198/.221/.310, 7 HR, 17 SB, 120 K, 374 AB (across two levels)
Promotions
Matt Vierling, OF Notable Stats: Majors – .338/.378/.500, 2 HR, 68 AB – AAA & AA – .276/.358/.444, 11 HR, 10 SB
Vierling was a surprise call-up this season but performed very well when he was in the lineup. He should contend for an outfield spot next year and I see a .300 hitter with good on-base skills and a potential 20/20 type of player.
Trending: Upward
Matt Vierling’s first career home run!!#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/sa1CQGXCni
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 25, 2021
Mauricio Llovera, RHP Notable Stats: 9.45 ERA, 2.10 WHIP
Llovera hasn’t performed well since 2018 and has probably thrown his final pitch for the organization.
Trending: Downward
Ramon Rosso, RHP Notable Stats: 5.63 ERA, 1.62 WHIP
Rosso has struggled since being promoted from AA and is likely a candidate to be non-tendered this off-season.
Trending: Downward
J.D. Hammer, RHP Notable Stats: 4.95 ERA, 1.60 WHIP
Hammer struggled this year especially with his command and home runs given up. Notice a trend with the middle relievers?
Trending: Downward
Bailey Falter, LHP Notable Stats: 5.61 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, 1.4 BB/9, 3.73 FIP
Playing with numbers here but if we remove his start on the final day, Falter gave up more than 1 run in only 4 of the 21 games he appeared in. If we take those games out, his ERA is under 3.00. He showed good command and poise, in addition to an uptick in velocity, despite adjusting to a new role in the bullpen after exclusively starting in the minors since 2016. If he gets stretched out during Spring Training, he could surprise next year.
Trending: Upward
Mickey Moniak, OF Notable Stats: Majors – .091/.167/.182, HR / AAA – .238/.299/.447. 15 HR. 5 SB
Moniak struggled during his time in the majors and in AAA but had the most home runs of his career hitting 15 for Lehigh Valley. He will have an opportunity to open next year on the big league team in a 4th outfielder role.
Trending: Upward.
Damon Jones, LHP Notable Stats: AAA – 5.54 ERA, 1.87 WHIP, 12 K/9, 8.3 BB/9
Despite all the issues with the rotation and bullpen, Jones pitched for only 1/3 inning in the major leagues. He struggled badly in AAA pitching out of the bullpen after previously starting for AA and A. He’s still getting his strikeouts but the command has gotten worse.
Trending: Downward
Nick Maton, SS Notable Stats: Majors – .256/.323/.385 2 HR, 2 SB / AAA – .201/.332/.348, 5 HR, 3 SB
Maton was a surprise call-up and performed very well his first month, batting over .300 with two home runs despite inconsistent playing time. He was sent back to the minors to get more bats but for some reason, the team never gave him a real chance to get his feet wet. He lacks power but has some speed and can provide a good average when he gets back to the majors.
Trending: Upward
Luke Williams, OF Notable Stats: .245/.315/.316, HR, 2 SB
Williams hit a game-winning home run in his 2nd game in the majors and continued to do well his first few weeks after being called up. He ended the year struggling and spent time on the COVID IL. He projects as a possible utility player in the majors, if he sticks.
Trending: Downward
Rafael Marchan, C Notable Stats: Majors – .231/.286/.346, HR – AAA & AA – .202/.281/.236
Marchan performed well for his age during his time in the majors and if you combine that, with the lack of offense that Andrew Knapp provides, it should lead to a backup role on the team next year.
Trending: Upward
Adonis Medina, RHP Notable Stats: 4.05 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 5.4 BB/9
Medina’s prospect luster lost some of its shine recently but the team promoted him this year and he held his own. He’s been inconsistent and needs to work on his control but his stuff is probably more suited to the bullpen.
Trending: Holding steady.
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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