Hamels named top Phils prospect by Baseball America

Despite another injury-plagued season, Cole Hamels regains Baseball America’s top spot as the best prospect in the Phillies minor league system.

Hamels, a likely bet to start 2006 in Reading, landed on the DL with back problems after a brief stint there last season.

If healthy, scouts are not ruling out a quick jump to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and eventually Philadelphia. Despite the setbacks, including a major gap in development time, the Phillies still envision Hamels as a top-of-the-rotation starter, Baseball America said. The left-hander was also named best prospect in the system in 2002.

Always an exciting moment to help get us through the winter, here is the threadbare list of the best 10 the Phils have to offer:

1. Cole Hamels, lhp
2. Greg Golson, of
3. Michael Bourn, of
4. Scott Mathieson, rhp
5. Welinson Baez, ss/3b
6. Mike Costanzo, 3b
7. Brad Harman, ss/2b
8. Tim Moss, 2b
9. Jason Jaramillo, c
10. Edgar Garcia, rhp

Noted omissions include Eastern League player of the year and Paul Owens winner Chris Roberson, along with catcher Carlos Ruiz, voted best defensive catcher in the International League.

Needless to say, two light-hitting, high-stikeout outfielders aren't what you want to round out a top three, to go along with a pitcher who can't stay healthy for an entire season.

This list, and the farm system, are as bad as advertised.

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Comments

[Tom G]

Do you think Ruiz should have been included? I don't mind them leaving out Roberson, he is too old to be a prospect.

[J. Weitzel]

Ruiz is a half-year older. BA doesn't go for guys after they reach about age 24-25. Chooch will turn 27 in Jan.

[J. Weitzel]

I forgot to mention another noted omission, Jake Blalock.

[Tom G]

Ooops, shows some flawed logic on my part. So do you think Ruiz should be on there? Roberson? Blalock?

[J. Weitzel]

I'd say yes to Ruiz, but no to Roberson and no to Blalock. Truthfully, I don't know much about picks 5-10, but if Victorino is not on there (he still qualifies to make the list), Roberson should not be on there. I don't like it when a player his age is still considered raw. Victorino is younger, has better skills in the field and has faced better pitching. I would have put Victorino on my list.

As for Ruiz, he could challenge for a backup catcher position this spring, so I'd say that was good enough for mention on the list somewhere near the bottom, but I'm OK with the omission.

Will Kimmey said in his chat today that Victorino and Roberson were right outside the top 10.

Incidently, I do agree with Hamels at No. 1, even though I said earlier that his history no longer makes him a prospect. In truth, he's the most dynamic of the bunch by a longshot, with Bourn next if he can bring down his Ks and continue to work at getting on base.

If he stays healthy, Hamels could be a nice mid-season addition like Zack Duke was in Pittsburgh.

Floyd was not on the list because he exceeded the number of innings pitched limit (50).

[MPN]

JW: Any insights/knowledge about Timothy Kennely of the GCL Phillies? An 18 year old 3B with an .835 OPS. Including 21BBs to 18Ks.

[J. Weitzel]

Nope. Nothing to add on Kennely, MPN.