Philly Sports Jabronis
By Todd Zolecki, mlb.com
New York – The Phillies have some players worth watching in the Arizona Fall League, particularly in the outfield.
The league announced its rosters Tuesday afternoon, and the seven players in the Phillies’ organization making the trip are outfielders Kelly Dugan and Aaron Altherr; catcher Cameron Rupp; right-handers Kyle Simon, Mike Nesseth and Ken Giles; and left-hander Austin Wright.
Dugan has hit a combined .292 with 23 doubles, four triples, 20 home runs, 57 RBIs and an .870 OPS with Class A Clearwater and Double-A Reading. Altherr has hit .276 with 36 doubles, six triples, 12 homers, 68 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and an .801 OPS in Clearwater.
“He’s playing very well this year,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said about Dugan. “He’s taken a lot of steps forward. He’s a pretty good hitter. He’s played both corner-outfield positions very well this year. He’s improved.
“Altherr is one of the best athletes we have in our organization. He can play all three outfield positions. He’s a very, very good center fielder. A very, very good defender. He’s a plus defender at all three outfield positions. He’s got speed. He’s got power. He’s going to get stronger. He’s got a lot of ability.”
Rupp entered the season behind Tommy Joseph and Sebastian Valle on the organizational depth chart, but he has surpassed them. He has hit .259 with 16 doubles, 14 home runs, 45 RBIs and a .764 OPS with Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
He is the closest catching prospect to the big leagues.
“He’s one of the guys who has advanced as well as any in our system,” Amaro said. “He’s advanced very quickly.”
The four pitchers are relievers, with Nesseth having the best season. He is 1-5 with a 2.58 ERA in 47 appearances with Clearwater, Reading and Lehigh Valley. Giles throws as hard as 100 mph, but has struggled with Clearwater. Simon has a 4.82 ERA in Reading and Wright has a 6.10 ERA.
