Phillies pitchers offer glimpse of future
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The Phillies showcased three of their top pitching prospects, all acquired in trades over the last two years, on Wednesday in a 4-2 win over the Twins.
Phillies No. 13 prospectZach Eflin, the club's prized return from the Dodgers in the December 2014 Jimmy Rollins trade, started and threw three innings of one-run ball, allowing four hits. The 6-foot-6 right-hander struck out a pair and induced four groundball outs in the outing.
Jake Thompson, MLBPipeline.com's No. 55 overall prospect and Philadelphia's top-ranked pitching prospect, entered in the fourth inning and promptly fired three scoreless innings en route to picking up the win. The 22-year-old right-hander, acquired from Texas in the Cole Hamels deal last July, scattered five hits and struck out one batter. He now hasn't allowed an earned run in two appearances this spring.
Next to take the mound was No. 4 prospectMark Appel, whom the Phillies acquired from Houston in the Ken Giles trade, and he fared much better after a shaky spring debut last week (2 IP, ER, 4 BB). Ranked as MLBPipeline's No. 70 overall prospect, Appel allowed one unearned run and struck out three batters in two innings.
No. 99 overall prospectRoman Quinn added to his strong showing this spring with another multihit performance out of the leadoff spot. The speedy center fielder -- a second-round Draft pick in 2011 -- went 2-for-4 with a triple, walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in the win.
More notable performances by top prospects
• Astros No. 13 prospectTyler White was one of two Astros to collect multiple hits in a 9-5 win over the Braves, going 2-for-3 with a go-ahead RBI double in the bottom of the fourth inning.
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• Third baseman Patrick Wisdom, the Cardinals' No. 22 prospect, showed off his power with a booming two-run home run against the Marlins.
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• Rays No. 22 prospectTaylor Motter, who is trying to make the Opening Day roster this spring as a superutility player after a breakout 2015 campaign, was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate and scored a run in a loss to Toronto.
• In his second appearance this spring, MLBPipeline No. 3 overall prospectLucas Giolito struck out the side but also yielded two hits, including a solo home run to outfielder Tyler Collins, in Washington's loss to the Tigers.
• Pirates No. 6 prospectHarold Ramirez continued his hot hitting by going 2-for-2 in a loss to Boston, giving him nine hits in his first 14 at-bats (.643 average) this spring.
• A's No. 8 prospectChad Pinder, playing shortstop and batting second, went 1-for-3 with a double and two runs scored against the White Sox, while second baseman Joey Wendle (No. 13) doubled, walked and scored a pair of runs. No. 6 prospectMatt Chapman cracked a two-run homer off White Sox prospect Robinson Leyer in the ninth inning, his second home run this spring.
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• Dodgers No. 12 prospectAustin Barnes went 3-for-4 and socked a solo home run, his first of the spring, against Angels starter Jered Weaver. No. 6 prospectCody Bellinger went 3-for-3, lifting his average to .667 this spring.
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• Cubs No. 7 prospectJeimer Candelario went 2-for-3 with a solo home run against the Indians.
• Diamondbacks No. 3 prospectBrandon Drury launched his second spring home run, a two-run shot, against San Diego right-hander Johnny Hellweg. Padres No. 6 prospectColin Rea started and fired three scoreless frames, allowing two hits and one walk.
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• Angels No. 11 prospect Roberto Baldoquin took advantage of his two plate appearances against the Dodgers, hitting a sacrifice fly and then following with a bases-clearing double in the ninth that tied the game at 13. He finished 1-for-1 with four RBIs.
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