While the 2026 Phillies could be working it again with loads of acquainted and veteran expertise, there will likely be a minimum of one thing of a youth motion this upcoming season. Two prospects are in line to play important roles as rookies in Philadelphia this yr, and extra could possibly be on the way in which quickly.
Ahead of the beginning of the common season, Phillies Nation has put collectively its newest rankings of the highest prospects within the Phillies group.
As acknowledged in earlier variations of this prospect list, assessments of those prospects are primarily based on the play the Phillies Nation employees has seen protecting these gamers in particular person, evaluation of movie, conversations with scouts, coaches and different player-development personnel and data from retailers akin to Baseball America, FanGraphs and MLB Pipeline.
1. Andrew Painter, RHP
That July-ish arrival to the massive leagues by no means materialized final season for Painter, but it surely looks like he’ll lastly make his method to Philadelphia to begin 2026. His debut must be thrilling, because the 6-foot-7 right-hander has ace-level upside if all of it comes collectively.
Still, this will likely be a pivotal yr for the 22-year-old. It’s been almost three years since he underwent Tommy John surgical procedure. He stayed wholesome for nearly a full season within the minor leagues final yr, however he struggled with consistency and management. The stuff actually had flashes, but it surely didn’t at all times pop the way in which it did earlier than his elbow damage. While Painter doesn’t need to be good as a rookie, it will likely be vital for him to make strides up within the majors and present greater than he did final season.
2. Aidan Miller, SS
The former first-round decide Miller struggled to begin final yr at Double-A, however he caught fireplace within the final two months and earned a promotion to Triple-A. The 21-year-old’s right-handed bat is superior for age with a disciplined strategy, and he ought to develop into extra energy as nicely. Miller was anticipated to be extra of a 3rd baseman when he was drafted, and that also could be his eventual dwelling with Alec Bohm within the closing yr of his deal and Trea Turner signed for the long run. But Miller has been in a position to stick at shortstop, additionally making himself a risk on the bases with 59 steals in 2025.
The infielder has been coping with some again points, and that’s positively a situation to observe. It doesn’t appear to be too severe in the meanwhile, however these sorts of accidents can stick round and affect careers. As lengthy as he stays wholesome, Miller must be up within the majors by 2027, if not sooner.
3. Justin Crawford, OF
Crawford has confirmed himself as a lot as he may within the minor leagues. Even with an unorthodox model that features a heavy dose of grounders, he batted .334 with 46 steals in Triple-A final yr. It’s time for him to see if he can proceed that success within the majors.
The outfielder has performed nothing however produce in his first three full seasons within the minors. But the way in which wherein he’s performed it has some questioning whether or not he can replicate it in opposition to higher pitching and defenses. Nonetheless, he’ll have loads of alternatives in 2026, as he’s set to begin in middle discipline for the Phillies as a rookie. They may use his quickness and make contact with of their lineup, so long as he could make the required changes, and the left-handed hitter works exceptionally powerful at-bats regardless of missing energy.
Crawford largely performed middle discipline in Triple-A but in addition hung out in left, and he could also be higher within the nook defensively. But he’ll be an everyday in middle for Philadelphia with an opportunity to indicate he made enhancements to his jumps to mix along with his elite velocity.
4. Gage Wood, RHP
The Phillies’ first-round decide final summer season, Wood is a hard-throwing righty starter who threw a no-hitter on the College World Series for Arkansas. He has a plus fastball and carries an edge with him on the mound. Since Wood started his school profession as a reliever and missed time final spring with an damage, the Phillies should watch out about rising his workload. But the 22-year-old may nonetheless transfer up the system rapidly if the Phillies are in want of younger assist in the following couple seasons.
5. Aroon Escobar, 2B
The 21-year-old Escobar hit 15 dwelling runs in 120 video games in 2025, shifting from Low-A to High-A to Double-A through the season. He’s primarily a second baseman and can even play third, and he will get on base at a excessive clip whereas flashing a little bit of energy. His righty bat impressed within the decrease minors, and the 2026 season will likely be about displaying he can proceed to hit with pop as he climbs the ranks.
6. Francisco Renteria, OF
Signed as a world free agent this offseason, Renteria is a possible five-tool prospect at solely 17 years outdated. He’s a methods away from the massive leagues, however he’s a promising right-handed hitter with loads of potential. Renteria has spectacular energy, an enormous arm on protection and may hit for energy. He’ll be intriguing to observe as he begins his skilled profession.
7. Dante Nori, OF
Currently within the midst of a powerful displaying for Team Italy within the World Baseball Classic, Nori has been a productive contact-first left-handed hitter. He’s one other enormous stolen-base risk, taking 52 bases within the minors final yr. He’s performed largely middle discipline within the Phillies group, however he’s enjoying left within the WBC. His upside could be considerably restricted with no ton of energy, however Nori has the makings of a strong common outfielder.
8. Matthew Fisher, RHP
The Phillies landed a higher-round expertise within the seventh spherical of final yr’s draft in Fisher. He has a formidable fastball and is a bit older and extra mature than a normal highschool prospect at almost 20 years outdated. Fisher ought to make his skilled debut this season and start to construct his workload.
9. Alex McFarlane, RHP
McFarlane has been transformed to a full-time reliever, and he could possibly be one of many subsequent younger pitchers despatched on the quick monitor to Philadelphia. The right-hander missed the 2024 season attributable to Tommy John surgical procedure, however returned to throw 80 innings within the minors as a swingman final yr. Back on the mound along with his beginning days behind him, McFarlane has a high-powered arsenal that’s match for the bullpen. He may function a key depth piece if the Phillies want reduction assist in 2026.
10. Gabriel Rincones Jr., OF
Rincones, who’s at present coping with a knee damage, is a 25-year-old nook outfielder with jaw-dropping uncooked energy. While he could be vulnerable to putting out, the left-hander hitter has severe pop that he can faucet into in opposition to right-handed pitching. The huge weak point is that he can not hit lefties in any way. He can nonetheless be a really helpful strong-side platoon bat sooner or later, however by no means a full-time common. Regardless, his form of energy will at all times catch your eye.
11. Jean Cabrera, RHP
An undersized, 6-foot-tall beginning pitcher, Cabrera is a former Paul Owens Award winner who held his personal in Double-A final yr with a 3.81 ERA in 26 begins. The 24-year-old is just not going to overpower hitters, however he is aware of find out how to pitch and has dealt with a good workload. Cabrera may come into play for the Phillies this yr if the membership wants rotation depth through the season.
12. Moisés Chace, RHP
Chace was acquired by the Phillies in 2024 in a commerce that despatched Gregory Soto to Baltimore, and he had a very good run within the group after the deadline. But the right-hander’s 2025 season lasted solely six begins as he underwent Tommy John surgical procedure. He has an influence repertoire and remains to be solely 22, however this season will likely be about getting wholesome and totally recovering for Chace.
13. Cade Obermueller, LHP
A left-hander with kind of a cool supply, Obermueller was the staff’s second-round decide final yr out of Iowa. He had a 3.02 ERA in 15 begins as a junior in school, however he may find yourself both a starter or a reliever. Obermueller could possibly be one other fast riser at 22 years outdated with a extra polished arsenal.
14. Griffin Burkholder, OF
Burkholder was restricted to only 34 minor-league video games final season attributable to damage and didn’t carry out in that quick span when he was on the sector. But he was a second-round decide in 2024 and stays an athletic 20-year-old outfielder with velocity and energy. He’ll want to remain wholesome and enhance his strikeout numbers shifting ahead.
15. Carson DeMartini, 3B
DeMartini had a scorching begin to final season in High-A, however hit a wall after he was bumped as much as Double-A. The lefty batter will doubtless repeat that degree, and making the adjustment in opposition to higher pitching will likely be key for the 23-year-old in 2026. While he’s vulnerable to putting out, DeMartini does have some energy. He additionally stole 45 bases in 2025. He’s performed a little bit of shortstop within the minors, however he’s higher fitted to third base.
