It’s no secret that the Phillies are currently struggling with depth issues at the major league level and there’s little to no help waiting for them in the minor leagues. The Phillies 40-man roster is filled with pitchers, none of which really stand out as options to be called up to the major league level anytime soon with the exception of two or three.

Offensively, the Phillies are faced with similar depth issues. Looking at the minor league system, there are three prospects, and maybe one of them that would be ready to be called up to help the Phillies this season.

Cornelius Randolph, LF, Lehigh Valley (NR)

Cornelius Randolph has been somewhat of a late bloomer for the Philadelphia Phillies organization. The former first-round pick in 2015 entered this season as a forgotten man inside the Phillies farm system but now is playing like one of the best young talents in the entire minor leagues.

The left-handed hitting corner outfielder was selected 10th overall by the Phillies out of Griffin High School in Georgia. His main attraction is his bat, but has progressed slowly and ran into several struggles during his journey up the minor league ladder. Before this year, his best minor league season was at then High A Clearwater, where he hit .250 with 13 home runs and a .740 OPS.

This year is different. Randolph just won Triple A East Player of the Week and is red hot this season in Lehigh Valley. He’s slashing .344/.417/.609 with a 1.026 OPS. Randolph has 22 hits, four home runs, 14 RBI, and 16 runs scored in 64 at-bats this season.

The soon to be 24-year old is not on the Phillies 40-man roster and has been eligible and unclaimed in the last two Rule 5 drafts. That of course, can change rather quickly if the Phillies want to move Randolph to the major league level. Given the continued struggles of Andrew McCutchen in left field and just the overall injuries that have plagued the Phillies lineup as of late, that move could come sooner than we think.

Bryson Stott, SS, Jersey Shore (No. 5)

Already dubbed the Phillies’ shortstop of the future, Bryson Stott has gotten off to a hot start down the shore as a member of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. Stott was the Phillies’ first round pick in 2019 at number 14. The 23 year old is slashing .269/.443/.493 with a .936 OPS. He has 18 hits, four home runs, 8 RBI, and 16 runs scored in 67 at-bats this season.

While it’s unlikely that we will see Stott in a Phillies uniform this season, his play should have him moving up the minor league ladder very quickly. The Phillies signed Didi Gregorius to a two-year contract over the offseason.

They also have an emerging young talent in Nick Maton, who has been red hot for the Phillies this season. Maton is slashing .268/.311/.392 with a .702 OPS. He has 26 hits, six doubles, two home runs, and eight RBI in 97 at-bats this year. Point being, Stott has showed signs of promise but the Phillies can be patient in developing him over the next year or two before pulling the trigger on bringing him up to the major league level.

Luke Williams, 3B, Lehigh Valley (NR)

The Phillies third round draft pick in the 2015 draft has been off to a hot start in Lehigh Valley this season. The 24 year old Williams is slashing .352/.439/.465 with a .904 OPS. He has 25 hits, four doubles, and two triples with 8 RBI in 71 at-bats for the IronPigs this season. Williams is currently off the Lehigh Valley roster and with Team USA for the WBSC Olympic qualifier training camp.

Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm is having a terrible 2021 season. After slashing .338/.400/.481 with a .881 OPS in his rookie campaign of 2020, Bohm is batting just .213 in 183 at-bats this year. Everyone is hoping that Bohm is just battling through a sophomore slump and will be able to see his way back into the light, but knowing that there is someone like Luke Williams in Lehigh Valley definitely makes it easier if Bohm can’t find his spark sometime soon.

Up Next for the Phillies

The Phillies have a day off today before heading to play the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon. Wheeler, Eflin, and Velasquez will be on the mound for the Phillies, who currently sit a game below .500 at 25-26.