The Call Up | An MLB Prospect Podcast · Just Baseball Media

474 | Philadelphia Phillies Top Prospects for 2026

·1 hr 12 min·5 clips

Why the Phillies' farm system is a top-heavy, middle-of-the-pack group that could define their World Series window.

This episode of The Call Up focuses on ranking and analyzing the Philadelphia Phillies' top prospects for the 2026 season. Hosts RM Layton and Jack McMullen, prospect analysts for Just Baseball, assess the organization's farm system. They aim to determine where the Phillies' system stacks up league-wide after examining its depth. The hosts categorize the system as a middle-of-the-pack, top-heavy group built to help the contending big-league team soon. They identify Justin Crawford, Andrew Painter, and Aidan Miller as the three best prospects positioned to impact the majors. The discussion covers over 15 prospects, beginning with lower-ranked names like reliever Starlyn Caba and recent acquisition Zach McCambley. Position players like infielder Raimel Espinosa and outfielder Keaton Anthony are noted for their offensive potential and defensive questions. Pitchers like Yoniel Curet and Cody Bowker are highlighted for their unique arm angles and stuff, though their ultimate roles are debated. The hosts express cautious optimism for outfielder Griffin Burkholder despite a rough, injury-shortened 2025 debut. They see right-hander Jonhoy Cabrera as a crucial depth arm who could log important innings for the Phillies in 2026. Pitching prospect Matthew Fisher, a two-sport athlete, is noted for his high bonus and projectable arsenal. A significant portion analyzes pitcher Moises Chávez, acquired from Baltimore, whose elite fastball metrics before Tommy John surgery create high upside. Outfielder Dante Nori is assessed as a plus runner and defender with questions about his current bat speed and hitting operation. The hosts repeatedly tie the system's value to the big-league team's competitive window, suggesting prospects must contribute before key veterans age out. One insight is the Phillies' apparent draft strategy of targeting shorter pitchers with unique deliveries to find market inefficiencies. The hosts find it notable that the front office may have planned the offseason around the imminent arrivals of Crawford, Painter, and Miller. They are surprised by the potential immediate importance of Jonhoy Cabrera to the 2026 pitching staff. The discussion reveals a system with a clear divide between a few high-impact talents and a lot of reliever or depth projections. The tone is analytical and conversational, blending statistical analysis with scouting observations. The style is educational, geared toward fans who want to understand the future of the organization. This episode is ideal for Phillies fans, fantasy baseball players, and anyone interested in prospect evaluation and team-building strategy. Listeners seeking breaking news or entertainment-focused baseball content might find it too niche.

As heard by us

A sharp Phillies board session that leans on projection, role, and system context over empty hype.

The Phillies prospect group is handled like a working board, with RM Layton and Jack McMullen sorting through risers, fresh names, and where the system sits before the top 100 update.

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Want a Phillies prospect board before the top 100 update?

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