We caught up with John Manuel of Baseball America earlier for a Q&A in regards to the top ten Phillies prospect rankings (click here) put out by BA on Monday. We thank John as always for his time.
Question: You had Brown atop the rankings last year. Obviously he had some competition for that top spot, but what did he do to maintain that ranking?
Answer: He very easily maintained that ranking. He hit, he ran the bases, he showed emerging power. He’s still raw and needs minor league time to improve his offensive consistency and his defensive skills, but his athleticism and big-time tools made this a fairly easy call, despite the quality of the other players in the system.
Q: Were people you talked to surprised at the way Kyle Drabek rebounded from his surgery?
A: Not really, because he flashed it last year in the Hawaii Winter Baseball stint, and he’s got such natural athleticism and competitiveness. He pitched well deep into the year, stayed healthy and threw strikes with quality stuff. Very encouraging year, and if he was your No. 1 prospect, you’d be satisfied.
Q: He was in Lo-A 18 months ago, but he’s 24 now and can obviously hit. How close is Michael Taylor to the big leagues (considering he’s got a tough OF to crack)?
A: Just talked to Michael yesterday and he knows his situation (it was my pleasure to speak to him, quality young man). He’s probably ready to help in 2010 if they need him; heck, he would have been able to help in ‘09 if needed. But the Phils right now do not need him, so he can spend 2010 in Triple-A. He’s definitely trade bait, but he’s also a 24-year-old outfielder. Those don’t often have a ton of value.
Q: Strength of the system compared to 12 months ago considering they traded away four of last year’s top ten?
A: Still strong, and so strong at the top (stronger than it was last year because Brown has done it at higher levels and Drabek is healthy) that I think the system will move up our org rankings from 12 last year. Lots of very young, high-upside talent.
Q: Obviously d’Arnaud didn’t have the best first half, but what impressed you about the way he rebounded in the second half?
A: He knows defense comes first at his position, and our scouting reports on his defense were better than they were a year ago, while he also didn’t let those offensive struggles affect his defense. Then he made adjustments offensively, always a good sign for a young player. Not a lot there that makes you worry when you’re ranking him. He’s got tools and he has performed to an extent as well.
Q: What stood out about Anthony Gose’s success at 18 in the SAL?
A: Tools, tools, tools. Obviously from a performance standpoint, he stayed healthy, grinded through a whole season and stole all those bases. But he has work to do with the bat.
Q: How much did Trevor May improve his stock? Was he the biggest mover in
the last year?
A: Biggest movers were May and Valle, who was 31 last year — we do a supplement for subscribers, 31st prospect for every org, and he was 31 for Philly last year, and he moved up 24 spots, same as May, from 28 to 4. May did improve his stock, doing it in a full-season league, finishing so strong, having his big body, delivery, stuff . . . lots of like.
Q: Quick comment on some guys we had in Lakewood this year that are outside the top ten (Justin De Fratus, BJ Rosenberg, Harold Garcia)
A: I like DeFratus, who has some stuff and some good control as well, would love to see him long toss pole to pole as I understand he does in the offseason. Rosenberg is a power arm, older guy, not quite sure what to make of him to be honest. Harold Garcia is the best prospect of the bunch, older for the level but has legit tools to hit and play an up-the-middle position, according to our reports.
Q: Jared Cosart is obviously well thought of to be ranked this high off only a few innings?
A: Probably has the best pure arm in the system, free, easy and powerful
Q: Did anyone stand out from the 2009 draft class?
A: Jonathan Singleton had a great debut and can really hit, he was a great draft pick potentially. Brody Colvin got the biggest signing bonus and is similar to Cosart in terms of his raw arm strength and upside, but may not quite be as athletic as Cosart.
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