 11/30/2004 2:51 PM ET
Phillies organizational recap
|
By Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com |
|
Before the 2004 season began, MLB.com took an in-depth look at every big league team's minor league system. Now, it's time to recap all 30 organizations, from top prospects to the recent draft class.
2004 Organizational Record
League (Level) Team W L PCT
International (AAA) Scranton-WB 69 73 .486
Eastern (AA) Reading 64 77 .454
Florida St. (A) Clearwater 55 81 .404
S. Atlantic (A) Lakewood 70 67 .511
NY-Penn (SS) Batavia 28 46 .378
Gulf Coast (R) GCL Phillies 36 24 .600
Total 322 368 .467
2004 Organizational Leaders
Batting average: Lou Collier, .326
Home runs: Ryan Howard, 46
Runs batted in: Ryan Howard, 131
Stolen bases: Michael Bourn, 57
ERA: Nate Cabrera, 2.82
Wins: C.J. Woodrow, Dan Giese, 12
Strikeouts: Rob Tejada, 133
Saves: Jim Crowell, 16
Five Faves
At the start of the season, MLB.com identified five prospects to keep an eye on. Here's how they fared in 2004:
Cole Hamels, LHP
There's good news and bad news on the Cole Hamels front. The bad news is that he threw just 16 innings in 2004 because of elbow problems -- though he did strike out 24 and walk just four, allowing only two runs in that span. The good news is that the elbow malady didn't require surgery. He was reportedly throwing well in Instuctional League play and should be back in big league camp next spring. He hasn't turned 21 and if he can reach Double-A Reading next season, he's still way ahead of the curve.
Gavin Floyd, RHP
Floyd began the year with Double-A Reading, but earned a promotion after posting a league-leading 2.57 ERA in 119 innings. After five starts with Scranton, Floyd made his Major League debut on Sept. 3, and he was fairly impressive (3.49 ERA) in 28 1/3 innings despite an inflated walk rate. He was slated to compete in the Arizona Fall League, but after throwing a combined 178 innings, the organization opted to shut him down for the season. He should get a look for a back-of-the-rotation spot next spring unless the Phils sign a veteran to allow him some more Triple-A seasoning.
Ryan Howard, 1B
It's hard to find anyone who had a better minor league season than Howard did in 2004. He set a Reading Phillies home run record in 90 games. Howard would've shattered the Eastern League record, but he got promoted to Triple-A before he got the chance. After nine more homers in 29 games there, Howard got a September callup to Philly, where he kept on hitting (11 hits in 39 at-bats, 10 for extra bases). He didn't let up in the AFL, either, hitting .331 with 24 RBIs. Overall in his minor league season, Howard hit 46 homers and drove in 131 runs. He's ready for a big league job, but may not have a spot with Jim Thome blocking his path at first. He tried the outfield in the AFL, but that's still a work in progress.
Ryan Madson, RHP
Heading into the season, Madson earned a spot on the Phils' pitching staff. But the rotation was set, so he moved to the bullpen. He may have pitched so well in that role (77 IP, 2.34 ERA, .238 batting average against), he may end up back there in 2005. If the Phils don't sign a vet, Madson will get a look along with Floyd for a rotation spot, but the organization knows Madson can make a major contribution as a reliever.
Keith Bucktrot
After a tremendous second half of 2003, there were high expectations for Bucktrot, who has always had the stuff to be a frontline starter. After a strong start (2.51 ERA in April), Bucktrot missed all of June with a sore shoulder and never truly got back on track, finishing the year with a 4.87 ERA. He made up for some lost innings in the AFL and he's added a cutter to his arsenal. He'll probably move up a notch in 2005 with the hopes of being big-league ready in 2006.
Cinderella Story
Brian Hitchcox, INF
After impressing the big league staff last spring, Hitchcox struggled at the outset with Scranton, hitting .242 before being sent down to Reading in June. The Phillies' 25th-round pick in 1999 continued to be the consummate organizational player, moving to play third with Scranton, then back to his customary second base with Reading. Hitchcox is the kind of player who doesn't have outstanding tools but does a lot of the little things that a coaching staff appreciates. Despite that, Hitchcox is not on the Phillies' 40-man roster.
2004 draft recap
1. Greg Golson, OF
Golson was one of the best athletes in the draft and he showed a surprising ability to adjust to the pro game in his brief Gulf Coast League debut. He hit .295 in 47 games, using his tremendous speed to swipe 12 bases. He's also a terrific defender with the ability to cover a lot of ground in center field.
2. Jason Jaramillo, C
The Phils had drafted Jaramillo out of high school in the 39th round back in 2001, so they were happy to get him again out of Oklahoma St. this past June. After just three GCL at-bats, Jaramillo picked up 112 ABs with Batavia in the NY-Penn League, hitting .223. But he impressed with his abilities behind the plate and is already the organization's best catching prospect. Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
|
|
|
| MLB Headlines | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
News
print this page