Let’s launch into it quick and dirty, the rating system is intuitive after all. One thing to note, everything after Singleton is really up to interpretation. These guys are all talented, young, and toolsy, but they also all have to learn a couple things to ever taste the bigs.

5 Star

1. Dom Brown, age 22 (.225/.227/.350 in 41 PA at MLB level) – So the former top prospect in the minors has had a rough first bounce with the big club. That’s forgivable in itself, he started the year in AA and he has only had the 41 PA. By now we’ve all had a chance to see why I was saying Brown is more like a 4.5 Star prospect than a true 5 star. In the OF he has a cannon and his range is good when he takes a clean route. He moves about the field like BJ Upton in large, loping strides. If he could learn to judge the ball a little better, he could play CF about as well as Werth can. At the plate we haven’t learned much about him and that is where he’ll need to show us something to break camp as a starter next year. Everything looks fine to me despite some general disappointment from the fanbase.

I suspect Dom’s slow start will convince Ruben to grab somebody to platoon with Francisco if Brown has a rough Spring. Hopefully he doesn’t think that’s Gload.

4 Star

2. Jarred Cosart, age 20 (3.79 ERA, 71 IP, 77K, 16BB) – Bad news with Cosart. An elbow injury has ended his season, although Chuck Lamar is hopeful he’ll be recovered for the fall league. This is something to keep an eye on, hopefully it’s something that won’t linger or recur.

3 Star

3. Jonathan Singleton, Age 18 (.296/.392/.487, 13 HR, 57K, 48 BB, 362 PA) – Last update I was mulling moving Singleton all the way up to 4 Star. Now I feel vindicated in keeping him in 3 Star territory (unfortunately). While it’s a great line for an 18 year old in the Sally League, it’s carried by his earlier unworldly mashing. He cooled off of late and in the last 10 games he has a meager .227/.239/.364 line. The plate discipline’s even flown out the door with 9 k’s and 1 BB. The power has cooled considerably as well. He remains a very good 1b prospect, but this serves as a nice reminder that we probably shouldn’t be making plans for the 18 year old with Howard locked up long term. Unless he picks things up now or has himself a nice Fall Season (I assume he’s heading there), he may open 2011 with a repeat at Lakewood.

Of course, there’s a decent chance that all we’re seeing is an 18 year old wearing down from his first full season in pro ball. Despite not playing with a team early in the season, extended Spring Training is just as tiring on a young athlete.

4. Trevor May, Age 20 (2.44 ERA, 48 IP, 67K, 18 BB since demotion): May experienced some serious issues with the walk in Clearwater, handing out 61 free passes in 70 IP. The 90 K demonstrate just how talented he is. Since he was shipped to Lakewood, he’s shown much better control, walking only 18 while still dominating the opposition. Perhaps May could benefit from spending some time under Halladay’s wing because he seems to have adopted the Justin Verlander method of pitching. May will get another shot at Clearwater next season in his age 21 season.

5. Sebastian Valle , Age 19 (.253/.297/.434, 25 2b, 15HR, 92K, 24BB, 423 PA): It’s been a nice full season for Valle who’s continued to demonstrate plus power for a young catcher along with iffy plate discipline. Scouts continue to show some concern about his true defensive position with the consensus being something along the lines of “I think he’ll stick behind the plate.” While it’s a positive comment, it leaves open the possibility that he won’t stick which would be devastating to Sebastian’s prospect status. He’ll move along to Clearwater next season where the Phillies will hope he begins to show some discipline.

6. Jiwan James, Age 21 (.280/.329/.372, 3 HR, 30SB, 17 CS, 111K, 30 BB, 516 PA): The first thing to remember with this ultra toolsy prospect is that he spent the first two season’s of his pro career as a pitcher. He converted back to the OF late last season making this his first full year as a pro position player. The tools are all there, although the power projects the least. He has a powerful arm and the range and speed of a potential plus defender in CF. His plate discipline has improved as the season continued, although he has considerable ground to make up yet. He has a similar ceiling to Dom Brown, except there’s years of distance between the two.

7. Tyson Gillies, Age 21 (Disabled): The good part of the Lee trade seems to have vanished from baseball, ostensibly due to an injured hamstring. I’ve yet to uncover anything, I think I’ll try to get in touch with the guys over at Phuture Phillies and see what they’ve heard.

8. Jesse Biddle, Age 18 (3.06 ERA, 32.1 IP, 39K, 9BB): Not a bad introduction to professional baseball. The Phillies local, first round pick has done well since joining the GCL and is angling for a full season assignment in 2011. There’s not much more to say right now, he’s good but he’s young. We’ll see how things go.

9. Brody Colvin, Age 19 (3.17, 122IP, 108K, 39BB): Colvin was expected to be a project, but he’s settled in nicely in the Sally League. There’s not much to update, he’s having a nice season and  should get a crack at continuing things in Clearwater next season.

10. Domingo Santana, Age 17 (.249/.342/.385, 5HR, 64K, 21BB, 190 PA for Short-Season Williamsport): We’ve covered Domingo’s earlier struggles as the Sally League’s youngest player. While he failed that particular challenge, he has gotten a taste of playing a full season’s worth of games. He remains young, even in the New York-Penn League, but not unheard of young. The power output is a bit disappointing but not unforgivable from one so young. He’s still striking out way too often, but his 33% rate is an improvement. Otherwise, his plate discipline has remained as he’s still drawing plenty of walks.

Bonus!

11. Kelly Dugan , Age 19, (.541/.630/.730 in limited action)/Others: Another ultra toolsy type, Dugan has butchered Rookie League pitchers in seven games. Of course, that doesn’t mean jack, but it’s encouraged me enough about him accessing his tools that I’ve listed him as #11.

Truly, the Phillies have a number of players worth consideration here. Austin Hyatt probably heads the pack of candidates for #11. He’s had himself a strong season despite lukewarm reviews from scouts. There’s still something to Phillippe Aumont and fellow former Mariner J.C. Ramirez has been solid but unspectacular this season (better than Aumont at least). Vance Worley looks like the next spot starter of the system, I’m not sure how he fits onto a Major League roster, but he will (just as Kyle Kendrick does). Relievers Scott Mathieson, Antonio Bastardo, and Michael Schwimer should be helping out at the ML level next season and could all be considered our 11th best. One thing to notice, of the 8 players I named as a potential #11, only Dugan is a position player.

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