Mattingly dishes on development plans

PHILADELPHIA -- For the past few months, the Phillies have talked about getting everybody in their farm system on the same page.

For the past several years, most people weren’t.

It explains why the Phillies struggled to consistently develop talent despite prime positions in the Draft. It explains why they made major changes within their player development department, including the Sept. 29 hiring of farm director Preston Mattingly. Mattingly, 34, spent his first few weeks with the Phillies observing instructional league in Clearwater, Fla. He has since traveled to Arizona to watch prospects play in the Arizona Fall League.

Here are some highlights from Mattingly’s interview with reporters on Thursday:

Getting everybody on the same page
The Minor League system has been described as dysfunctional the past few years, with conventional and contemporary teachings often conflicting. Getting coordinators and coaches to work together will be Mattingly’s top priority.

“It has to be a blend,” Mattingly said. “I think there’s a lot of youth that has a lot of knowledge. I think there’s a lot of veteran baseball people that bring the same thing. The experience, the way they saw the game, the way they played the game. I want to blend those two together. In terms of butting heads within the organization, like, old school [versus] new school, I only believe in one school, and that’s the Phillies. That’s the way we’re going to do it moving forward. It’s going to be what the Phillies are about. It’s not going to be what the old-school people are about, or what the new school is about. It’s going to be the Phillies Way going forward."

The leadership team
Field coordinator Chris Truby, catching coordinator Ernie Whitt, Triple-A Lehigh Valley manager Gary Jones and GCL Phillies West manager Pat Borders will not return in 2022.

Mattingly said Anthony Contreras will be the Iron Pigs’ new manager. Contreras managed in San Diego’s farm system since 2014. Mattingly worked with the Padres from 2017-21, including this past season as the Major League advance scouting and game planning coordinator. Essentially, he worked with the Padres' pitching coaches and pitchers and the research and development department, putting together game information for pitchers.

Mattingly said hitting coordinator Jason Ochart and pitching coordinator Travis Hergert will return. He declined to say if the organization’s contract with Driveline Baseball will continue.

“I think we’re still working through that,” he said.

Getting this thing turned around
The Phillies’ farm system is generally ranked among the bottom five in baseball. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said he is confident things can improve quickly. It is no surprise that Mattingly feels the same way.

“You see what Bryson [Stott] and Logan [O’Hoppe] are doing in the Fall League,” Mattingly said. “They’re playing really well. I believe a lot of the arms we have in the system. I think it’s a system that’s deep with talented arms. I do think some of these guys could come fast, and it could change pretty quickly.”

Trying to beat dad
Mattingly’s father is Marlins manager Don Mattingly, so there is a budding family rivalry in the National League East.

“I’m a big trash talker,” Mattingly said. “I’m not going to tell you exactly what I told him.”

Stott and O’Hoppe
The shortstop and catcher have both impressed in the AFL. Stott is the 97th-best prospect in baseball and the No. 2 prospect in the organization, according to MLB Pipeline. Entering Friday, he is batting .339 with a .945 OPS in Arizona and could push for a big league promotion at some point next season. O’Hoppe, who ranks 11th in the system, is batting .320 with a .998 OPS.

“The at-bat quality has been tremendous,” Mattingly said. “The defense. Logan has really grown from the catching standpoint. He’s throwing the ball really well. Bryson is playing some short and also some third base. This guy is a complete player, from a defensive and an offensive standpoint.”

Mattingly believes Stott can be an everyday shortstop in the big leagues.

Mick Abel and Andrew Painter
Abel is the No. 64 prospect in baseball, and the No. 1 prospect in the system. Painter ranks third. The right-handers were the Phillies’ first-round Draft picks the past two years. Mattingly saw both of them pitch in the instructional league.

“These guys are two tremendous talents,” he said. “They’re very smart and they work very hard. In terms of their forecast going forward, I don’t know exactly where they’ll start [in 2022], but I think with this type of talent, these guys can come fast.”