MLB.com announced its newest list of top 100 prospects. For the Philadelphia Phillies, pitcher Sixto Sanchez takes over as number one.
Some Philadelphia Phillies fans may really want them to sign Yu Darvish or Jake Arrieta this winter. If they don’t, concerns about the starting rotation can soon be fixed once Sixto Sanchez is ready for the big leagues.
According to MLB.com’s preseason prospect rankings, Sanchez is the number one player in the Phillies’ system. He passes J.P. Crawford and Mickey Moniak to take the crown as the premier minor leaguer marching toward Philly.
Sanchez begins 2018 as the 26th best prospect in baseball, one spot ahead of recently traded outfielder Lewis Brinson. Although he is at least one year away from making any difference at the Big League level, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Phillies.
The Phillies apparently aren’t ready to compete in 2018. However, the winning ways could return as soon as 2019. The timing works out well with Sanchez. By that time he should be near MLB-ready. With a more stable roster around him for support, Sanchez can trot in as a star rookie ready to help lift Philadelphia back into contention.
Summing up Sixto Sanchez’s 2017
Sixto Sanchez spent the early part of 2017 with the Lakewood BlueClaws, dominating the South Atlantic League. In his 13 starts, he turned in a 5-3 record with a 2.41 ERA. Opposing batters hit just .191 against him. The performance was nice to see after all of the damage he did in 2016 in the Gulf Coast League. While there, Sanchez went 5-0 with a 0.50 ERA in 11 starts.
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The superiority didn’t continue for the entire 2017 campaign. Following a promotion to Clearwater Threshers in High-A, Sanchez’s success slowed. He made five starts there, finishing 0-4 with a 4.55 ERA. Clearly, a little more seasoning is required.
Five bad games shouldn’t take away from Sanchez can and should accomplish. The 19-year-old is one of the best pitching prospects. It’s only natural for a few hiccups along the way. Sanchez happened to run into his late in 2017.
Other Philadelphia Phillies in the Top 100
To nobody’s surprise, other Philadelphia Phillies made MLB.com’s top 100 list. Scott Kingery (35), J.P. Crawford (37), Adonis Medina (86), Mickey Moniak (88), and Adam Haseley (95) join Sanchez to make it a strong group of six. Only Medina is a fellow pitcher.
Next: Miami Marlins Trade Block: Some names tougher to deal than others
When the 2018 season opens, the Phillies will again open the season with one of the game’s best farm systems. This time around, Sixto Sanchez headlines the class.