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Writer's pictureSteve Potter

12/30/22 : 2022 Phillies Player Development Year

Updated: Dec 31, 2022


Steve Potter


All Phillies fans know how the season concluded with the big club appearing in the World Series for the first time since 2009.  The early season struggles that resulted in a managerial change turned into what many considered an improbable run to the National League Championship title - also made possible by two significant administrate changes - the introduction of a 6th playoff slot ( which the Phillies claimed ) and the incorporation of the DH ( which allowed Bryce Harper to be in the lineup ).  Change was indeed a good thing for the 2022 major league Phillies.


Albeit I watch just about every Phillies major league game I rarely write about them - my writing focus has and continues to be on Phillies minor league player development.  With that in mind here’s a few notes regarding the 2022 Phillies Player Development year.


It was Preston Mattingly’s first year as Player Development Director - he took over the reigns in September of 2021 just in time for Fall Instructs and during the course of his first year introduced, by my count, 19 new managers, coaches and trainers to the organization along with himself.  There were multiple work location and title changes amongst the returning staff as well.  A new “Phillies Way” philosophy of blending analytical, technological and old school baseball acumen developmental approaches within a defined communication structure materialized as the “Protect the Standard” mantra.  Staffing represented a diversity of backgrounds, knowledge and philosophies - all of which intended to be valued and accepted.  Energy, Respect, Accountability, Preparation, Focus and Commitment were and are the ongoing standards from a center of concentration outwards approach.  Multiple changes in player personnel also occurred - in particular at the higher levels.  Consistent communication has been a primary point of emphasis and continues to progress as well, it’s a hard task within such a large group.  A lot of team and trust building occurred in the new boss’s first full year.  Establishing a baseline was prioritized and now the focus turns to building upon it.  A very busy year of transition.


Twelve Phillies minor leaguers ( Mark Appel, Tyler Cyr, Nick Duron, Dalton Guthrie, Darick Hall, Michael Kelly, Francisco Morales, Simon Muzziotti, Michael Plassmeyer, Bubby Rossman, Donny Sands & Bryson Stott ) made their major league debuts in 2022 embedded within 22 total players who received major league call-ups during the season.  As of today 17 of the 40 roster spots on the protected major league roster are players signed and developed within the Phillies organization.  Key contributions to the 2022 National League championship season were made by home grown players signed during or since 2015 including Bailey Falter, Darick Hall, Connor Brogdon, Matt Vierling, Nick Maton, Dalton Guthrie, Alec Bohm & Bryson Stott.  Additionally Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Seranthony Dominguez & Rhys Hoskins were vital contributors in the championship run - all home grown players.  Phillies player development often takes a beating in public perception but there are only a handful of teams that can claim as many internally developed players who made contributions in like kind as this crew did during 2022 - one of them won the World Series - just sayin 🤓.


There were multiple standout statistical performances during the 2022 minor league season - RHP Andrew Painter put up silly numbers ( 1.56 ERA in 22 starts - 103 2/3 IP - 0.89 WHIP - 155 K’s, 25 BB - .181 batting average against ) as a 19 year old pitching at three levels ( Clearwater, Jersey Shore & Reading ) en-route to winning the Paul Owens pitching Award.  First Baseman Darick Hall posted a .330 OBP, .528 slugging percentage and a .858 OPS clubbing 24 doubles and 28 home runs while driving in 88 runs in 101 games ( 443 PA’s ) for AAA Lehigh Valley.  He hit another 9 home runs and drove in 16 more runs in 42 major league games ( 142 PA’s ) which when totaled gave him 33 home runs and 104 RBIs for the year - he won the Paul Owens hitting Award.  Utility Player Dalton Guthrie led the minor league organization in batting average ( .302 in 338 AB’s - 92 games ) as well as doubles ( 27 ) and posted a .363 OBP for AAA Lehigh Valley - he went 7 for 21 ( .333 ) with a .500 OBP in 28 major league PA’s after being called up in September.  Outfielder Johan Rojas stole an incredible 75 bases ( out of 80 attempts ) between Jersey Shore, Reading and the Arizona Fall League - he led the minor league organization in both hits ( 122 ) and runs scored ( 82 ).


While the big league club won the National League Championship there was also a league title won by the Phillies White team in the Dominican Summer League.  The Phillies last won the DSL championship in 1999 and last appeared in the championship series in 2001.  It was the first time since they opened the Dominican academy that they qualified and won the league championship.  Another congrats to Manny Amador - Dominican Academy Coordinator and Phillies White Manager Orlando Munoz who also serves as the Venezuelan Camp Coordinator and the entire staff -A big time congrats to the players!  It was quite an accomplishment.  The team posted a 40-19 regular season record and went 6-1 in the playoffs going 16-1 in their last seventeen games including winning 15 straight games at one point and posting a 25-5 record in their final 30 games 🔥.  Outfielder Raylin Heredia was the star hitter of the playoffs - he was 10 for 24 ( .417 ) with 4 doubles, a triple and 4 RBIs - an OBP of .481.


Pitchers Taylor Lehman, Andrew Schultz, Brett Schulze & Albertus Barber returned to game action after successful rehab efforts from prior year Tommy John surgery.  All reached the AA level in 2022 with Reading and put themselves back on the radar for ongoing promotional considerations.  Other pitchers such as Sam Jacobsak, Starlyn Castillo, Keylan Killgore  & Nicoly Pina made later in the season re-appearances in game action after their own extensive rehab efforts from injury.  As Fall Instructs concluded others such as Tommy McCollum, Tyler Phillips & Eduar Segovia appeared very close to returning to game action.  Don’t sleep on any of these fellas - I watched them all throw this past season - good things are to come.


Numbers don’t tell the whole story in player development - too often public perception is skewed by game day results, however those who watch daily and are enabled to measure progress in other ways have a significant edge.  As an observer I saw  progress made by many players over the course of the season - pitching is a particular strength of the organization - I recently profiled 237 minor league players over 33 articles I saw perform during the 2022 season - here’s a link to the last article of that series that lists links to them all - there are quite a few not so hidden gems - just have to look beyond the stats sometimes - just sayin - https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/12-20-22-who-will-reach-the-major-leagues-2023


All In all a fun and productive season to observe and write about - looking forward to 2023 and the progress it brings.


Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️




Note : I've partnered  with Fanatics on Phillies Merchandise - if you would like to help support my website and articles here's a link to order merchandise - I get a small commission on any sales - thanks for the support.





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