🛑 Must-Read Alert: Phillies’ Untouchables Revealed! 4 Top Prospects They Absolutely Won’t Trade! 🌟⚾ Discover the Game-Changing List That Will Shape the Team’s Future! 🔒 #PhilliesProspectsUntouchable #TradeBlockSecrets

As the Philadelphia Phillies gear up for the upcoming 2024 MLB season, they are actively strategizing for the offseason to fortify their roster with the goal of contending for a World Series championship, a feat that has eluded them for the past two seasons.

A major move has already been executed with the re-signing of team ace Aaron Nola on an impactful seven-year deal valued at $172 million. In addition to this significant signing, the Phillies have also made a couple of minor league deals to enhance the depth of their system.

However, the Phillies are not content to rest, demonstrating a determined effort to reshape their lineup for improved performance in the upcoming season. Should free agency not yield the desired solutions, the team is open to exploring the trade market to address their needs. In the event of pursuing trades, the Phillies will likely consider leveraging some of their top prospects as trade assets. Nevertheless, they are cautious about not depleting their system excessively, aiming to safeguard their future success. Which prospects should be considered off-limits in trade discussions this offseason?

Here are four standout prospects in the Phillies’ system that they should shield from trade talks at all costs.

One notable talent is Orion Kerkering, a reliever ranked as the No. 4 prospect.

Orion Kerkering, who recently made his MLB debut at the conclusion of the season, is a remarkable talent despite being a fifth-round pick from the 2022 MLB Draft. Over the past two years, Kerkering has experienced significant growth, making an impressive ascent through four minor league levels in the 2023 season, culminating in a stint with the major league club and even participating in the playoffs.

Kerkering’s success can be attributed to his devastating sweeping slider and a deceptive delivery. In the 2023 minor league season, he boasted a remarkable 1.51 ERA with a 0.89 WHIP, conceding only nine earned runs while striking out 79 batters in 53 2/3 innings pitched. Despite a brief stumble in the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kerkering showcased promise and aims to contribute to the big league bullpen in the upcoming 2024 season.

Orion Kerkering, Disgusting 88mph Sweeper. 🤮 pic.twitter.com/scbeyokKHD

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 5, 2023

With the potential to assume a significant role, possibly as the Phillies’ closer in the near future, Kerkering exudes confidence and composure. With the departure of the 2023 closer to free agency, the Phillies may have a ready-made solution in Kerkering. The pivotal task now is to safeguard him from potential trades that could see him flourish as an All-Star reliever elsewhere.

Justin Crawford, Outfielder, Ranked as the No. 3 prospect

Justin Crawford, positioned in the top three of the Phillies’ MLB prospects, exhibits the potential to evolve into a formidable five-tool player, drawing comparisons to his four-time All-Star father, Carl.

Despite having played only up to the High-A level, Crawford currently holds the distinction of being the organization’s top-rated positional prospect. This is a testament to his exceptional abilities, with notable strengths in lightning speed, graded at 70, outstanding defense and arm with a grade of 60, and proficient contact-hitting skills.

While power may be considered a relative weakness at present, many anticipate that it will develop over time as Crawford’s physique matures, and he refines his swing throughout his growth and development in the game.

The top ranked prospect in Nevada, Bishop Gorman OF Justin Crawford.The 6'3"/175 pound @LSUbaseball commit has blazing speed w/ 6.11 60 at National. Line drive stroke w/ pop to the pull side.Big time upside.@PG_Scouting @PG_FourCorners @B_Sakowski_PG @VCervinoPG @CBABaseballUSA pic.twitter.com/iG0cOqiN3T

— Steve Fiorindo (@SoCalSteve9) January 20, 2022

During the 2023 season, Crawford divided his time between Single-A Clearwater and High-A Jersey Shore, amassing impressive statistics. He achieved a stellar .332 average, an .859 OPS, scored 71 runs, notched 22 doubles, hit eight triples, three home runs, contributed 64 RBIs, and showcased remarkable speed with 47 stolen bases in 55 attempts over 87 games played. His anticipated role in the 2024 season is likely to be in High-A or Double-A, depending on the Phillies’ assessment of the best fit for his talents.

The Phillies faced significant defensive challenges as a team during the past season, particularly in the outfield. In 2023, they ranked 26th in the league with a -30 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), and their outfield contributed -20 DRS if not for Johan Rojas, who elevated the standard with 15 DRS in just two and a half months of play.

However, the prospect of having an elite defensive duo of Rojas and Crawford patrolling the outfield could potentially transform this team weakness into a strength. Considering Crawford’s potential to become a multifaceted contributor, the Phillies would be prudent to retain him under all circumstances. His performance may even surpass that of his esteemed parent, Carl.

Mick Abel, Starting Pitcher, Ranked as the No. 2 prospect

As the former first-round selection of the Phillies in the 2020 MLB Draft, Mick Abel stands out as a notable pitching prospect, closely trailing Andrew Painter in the team’s hierarchy. Possessing a pitching arsenal akin to Painter’s, Abel showcases a mid-80s wicked slider complemented by a formidable fastball consistently reaching the mid to high-90s, contributing to his success in the Phillies’ minor league system over the past three years.

During the recent season, Abel predominantly pitched for the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils, achieving a commendable 5-5 record with a 4.14 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. Notably, he recorded 126 strikeouts in just 108 2/3 innings across 22 starts. His noteworthy performance earned him a late-season promotion to Triple-A, where he made a start for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs before the season’s conclusion.

In his overall minor league career, Abel has accumulated a 4.09 ERA and 1.28 WHIP, registering 328 strikeouts in 266 1/3 innings of work.

Mick Abel’s first Triple-A strikeout! pic.twitter.com/TFudS4FsOA

— Milb Central (@milb_central) September 22, 2023

While Abel is likely to commence the 2024 season with the IronPigs, an impressive showing in Spring Training could position him for a potential call-up to the big league over the course of the season.

Considering the prospect of forming a formidable front-end rotation duo with Painter in the near future, it is imperative for the Phillies to retain Abel. This strategic move would allow their emerging young talents to complement established star pitchers like Nola and Zack Wheeler, establishing the Phillies as a resilient and enduring contender in the long term.

Andrew Painter, Starting Pitcher, Ranked as the No. 1 prospect

Selected in the first round directly from high school by the Phillies in the 2021 MLB Draft, right-handed pitcher Andrew Painter stands out as one of the premier pitching prospects in the entire baseball landscape.

Equipped with a formidable 70-grade fastball and a 60-grade slider, coupled with exceptional command and pitch control, Painter swiftly progressed through three minor league levels during the 2022 season. His combined performance yielded an impressive ERA of 1.56, a WHIP of 0.887, and a remarkable 155 strikeouts in just 103 2/3 innings pitched. Notably, achieving this feat at the age of 19 elevated him to the top-ranked prospect in the organization, according to MLB Pipeline.

Andrew Painter picks up his first strikeout in Spring Training. A 90.7 MPH cutter with 26 Inches of vertical break to get Max Kepler swinging. pic.twitter.com/KU2gLxyBtB

— phillies.insider (@PhilliesInside5) March 1, 2023

However, Painter’s ascent faced a setback when he suffered an elbow UCL injury, ultimately requiring season-ending Tommy John surgery. As a result, his return to action is not expected until the 2025 season.

Despite the Phillies’ current win-now approach, it is imperative that they refrain from entertaining any trade discussions involving Painter. His immense talent and potential position him as the Phillies’ most promising homegrown pitching talent since Nola, and he is anticipated to be a dominant force on their pitching staff for years to come.

Furthermore, Painter’s current injury status may impact his trade value, making it illogical for the Phillies to consider moving him without the assurance of receiving quality in return. Therefore, the prudent approach for the Phillies is to exercise patience with Painter, ensuring they can fully capitalize on his talents once he returns to peak health.