MLB Power Rankings: Spring Training Edition

In Philadelphia, the only way to go is up

After years of toying with other veteran players around Ryan Howard, the Phillies have finally entered full tank mode. Philly is the 10th youngest team in terms of average position player age (28), with a large portion of rising due to Howard and Carlos Ruiz.

The trade of Cole Hamels has gathered viable prospects to rank the Phillies eighth in Baseball America’s talent rankings, joining the likes of Odubel Herrera and Maikel Franco who are under 25-years-old. In the pipeline, J.P. Crawford is a name to watch this spring, a future all-star shortstop with plus athleticism and improving power. Although expected to begin the year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, it’s only a matter of time before Crawford replaces Freddy Galvis in the big leagues.

In a span of two months, Philadelphia added three starting pitchers – two placeholders in Charlie Morton and Jeremy Hellickson who carry one year deals, plus Brett Oberholtzer who came over in the Ken Giles trade. The Phillies have Oberholtzer under contract for years to come, along with top pitching prospect Jake Thompson, who was electric at Double-A Reading (5-1, 1.80 ERA). But the centerpiece of the pitching staff is Aaron Nola, the team’s first-rounder in 2014, who made 13 starts last season following a rapid rise through Triple-A.

The wins and attendance figures will be low by season’s end, but the Phillies, like three of the four National League teams listed below, are slowly building for the future.

Stay calm, Philly faithful. For 2016 is the final year of the absurd Howard contract.

Next: 25-21: Carrying the load