Kerkering Tops Phils Organizational All-Stars

Seven Philadelphia Phillies Top 30 prospects were among the organization’s All-Stars, as named by MLB.com.

The site put together an All-Star team for each organization, regardless of where they are in the Phillies’ system.

Of those seven prospects, one managed to make it to the Majors in 2023 — relief pitcher Orion Kerkering, who pitched into the postseason with the Phillies. Another All-Star, Weston Wilson, also reached the Majors. He was named the organization’s top shortstop.

Kerkering was 4-1 with a 1.51 ERA in the minors with 79 strikeouts and 12 walks in 53.2 innings. The Phillies called him up in late September, gave him a test drive and used him in the postseason. He is the Phillies’ No. 7 prospect, according to MLB.com.

As for Wilson, he is not a Top 30 prospect. But at age 29 he finally made his MLB debut and homered in his first game. At Triple-A Lehigh Valley he led all Phillies minor leaguers with 31 home runs, a career high.

The Phillies’ top-ranked position player on the All-Star team was No. 3 prospect and outfielder Justin Crawford, the son of former MLB star Carl Crawford. One of the game’s Top 100 prospects, he batted .332 with three home runs and 64 RBI at both of the Phillies’ full-season Class-A affiliates. He stole 47 bases.

The top-ranked pitcher was right-handed starter Mick Abel, who went 5-6 with a 4.13 ERA with 132 strikeouts in 113.1 innings. The former first-round pick got to Triple-A Lehigh Valley by the end of the season is a potential option for the Phillies in 2024.

First baseman Carlos De La Cruz is the Phillies No. 6 prospect, but the towering 6-foot-8 prospect can also play outfield. The Phillies left him unprotected for the Rule 5 Draft but no one selected him, even after he batted .259 with 24 home runs, 67 RBI and 54 walks at Double-A Reading.

The other Top 30 prospects on the Phillies’ All-Star team included outfielder Símon Muzziotti, their No. 8 prospect (.296, seven home runs, 61 RBI at Lehigh Valley); outfielder Emaarion Boyd, their No. 12 prospect (.262, one home run, 36 RBI, 56 stolen bases at Class-A Clearwater); and catcher Caleb Ricketts, their No. 15 prospect (.270, four home runs, 50 RBI at three different affiliates).

Three non-Top 30 prospects made the team — second baseman Oliver Dunn (.271, 21 home runs, 78 RBI at Reading); third baseman Matt Kroon (.326, 11 home runs, 58 RBI at three different affiliates); and left-handed starter Matt Osterberg (9-6, 3.52 ERA, 106 strikeouts in 122.2 innings at two different affiliates).