MLB Philadelphia Phillies

Ranking the Philadelphia Phillies’ Top 5 Pitching Prospects Heading Into 2015

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Ranking the Philadelphia Phillies' Top 5 Pitching Prospects Heading Into 2015

Jonathan Papelbon, Ken Giles, Jake Diekman, Cole Hamels Philadelphia Phillies pitchers
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Phillies have not produced many homegrown players who have contributed to the team's success over the past few years. Position players have been hard to find, but Philly does have a handful of talented pitchers at both the Major League and Minor League level. With guys such as Ken Giles, Justin De Fratus, Jake Diekman, Mario Hollands and David Buchanan, there is no shortage of young arms. Here are their top five pitching prospects for 2015.

5. Ben Lively (RHP)

Ben Lively
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

5. Ben Lively (RHP)

Ben Lively
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Lively was taken by the Cincinnati Reds in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft out of the University of Central Florida. Lively finished 13-7 with a 3.04 ERA and 171 strikeouts last season, and he was traded to the Phillies in exchange for Marlon Byrd in December. He has a good fastball with good movement and a potential above average slider.

4. Jesse Biddle (LHP)

Jesse Biddle
Getty Images

4. Jesse Biddle (LHP)

Jesse Biddle
Getty Images

Jesse Biddle was landed by the Phillies in the first round of the 2010 MLB Draft. The Philadelphia native had a very good 2013, and was the team's top pitching prospect after the season. He struggled in 2014, finishing with a 5-10 record and a 4.58 ERA; he also struggled with his command last season pitching in Reading (AA). When he's on his game, he's a Major League caliber pitcher with a very good curveball and strikeout stuff.

3. Tom Windle (LHP)

Tom Windle
Getty Images

3. Tom Windle (LHP)

Tom Windle
Getty Images

Tom Windle was taken by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second round of the 2013 MLB Draft out of the University of Minnesota. Windle finished last season with a 12-8 record and a 4.26 ERA to go with 111 strikeouts. He has a very good slider, and at 22 years old, he has time to improve his fastball and change-up. He was traded to the Phillies in early December for Jimmy Rollins.

2. Zach Eflin (RHP)

Zach Eflin
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

2. Zach Eflin (RHP)

Zach Eflin
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Eflin was taken by the San Diego Padres in the 2012 Compensation A Draft. The 20-year-old Orlando native finished last season with a 10-7 record and a 3.80 ERA. He has a very good change-up, and his other pitches are decent. He has a chance to develop into a middle-of-the-rotation type starter. Eflin was traded to the Dodgers in exchange for Matt Kemp in December, then was traded to the Phillies in exchange for Jimmy Rollins and Tom Windle.

1. Aaron Nola (RHP)

Aaron Nola
Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

1. Aaron Nola (RHP)

Aaron Nola
Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Nola was selected by the Phillies in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of LSU. He was one of the best pitchers in the SEC in his junior year, and one of the best Division I pitchers in the NCAA. He made his highly anticipated pro debut in Clearwater (A Advanced) quickly, and finished the 2014 season in Reading. Nola finished with a 4-3 record, a 2.93 ERA and 45 strikeouts. Big things are expected for his first full season in 2015.

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