Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from the world champion Philadelphia Phillies. Carlos Carrasco, SP: Carrasco could be a major player in deciding who takes the National League East crown in 2009. He won't be in the big leagues before the All-Star break, most likely, but if any of the Phillies starters get hurt or falter he'll be ready to step in during the second half. Carrasco has several good pitches, led by a changeup, but no great ones. He pitched well in a six-start Triple-A cameo at the end of 2008, including 46 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings. He did give up eight unearned runs, an illustration of his propensity for letting innings get away from him when things go badly, but a half-season of polish should have Carrasco ready for the Show.
J.A. Happ, SP/RP: Happ is still a prospect, but he's a prospect with a World Series ring. Happ appeared in eight regular season games, four of them starts, and tossed three innings in the NLCS to earn his hardware. He doesn't have a very high ceiling, back-of-the-rotation starter, but he's there already and should contribute as a long reliever and spot starter for the team from Day 1. Happ succeeds by changing speeds and location to keep hitters guessing. In other words, he's a lefty.
Lou Marson, C: A 2004 fourth-rounder, Marson caught for the Olympic team last summer when he wasn't posting an impressive .433 on-base percentage at Double-A Reading. He even made a brief appearance in the big leagues, going 2-for-4 with a home run on the last day of the season. The Phillies still have Carlos Ruiz and Chris Coste, and they picked up Ronny Paulino over the winter, so Marson will have time to work on his deficiencies at Triple-A. Most of those are defensive, although he'll need to prove he can keep up his outstanding walk rate against better pitching as well.
For comprehensive coverage of the minor leagues, visit John Sickels at Minor League Ball and Baseball America. For minor league statistics, visit Baseball-Reference and Minor League Splits.
