Phillies made strides in the minors, too

Scouts say 19-year-old Lakewood righthander Trevor May, a fourth-round pick in 2008, is a potential frontline starter. Also keep an eye on another member of that draft class, righthander Jarred Cosart, who has dazzling stuff.

For immediate pitching depth in 2010, the Phils have Kyle Kendrick and Andrew Carpenter, who both had solid seasons at triple A.

Improvement sought. Lefthander Joe Savery and third baseman Anthony Hewitt were first-round picks in 2007 and 2008, respectively, but neither is a shoo-in to make it to Philadelphia. Savery, 23, won a combined 16 games at double A and triple A, but his stuff is not overpowering, and he doesn't throw enough strikes. He had a poor 96-77 strikeouts-to-walks ratio in 1511/3 innings. Hewitt, 20, was a project from day one. He still needs to improve on making contact, as evidenced by a .223 batting average and 77 strikeouts in 61 games at Williamsport.

Two intriguing guys. It's very unusual for a 16-year-old Dominican not to play in the Dominican Summer League. The Phils were so high on outfielder Domingo Santana that they sent him to the Gulf Coast League, where he hit .288 with six homers and 28 RBIs in 118 at-bats. "He's a beast," one frequent observer of Santana said.

The Phils might end up getting a contributor out of the Bobby Abreu trade, after all. In his first season as a pitcher, converted catcher Jesus Sánchez, 21, went 10-6 with a 3.44 ERA in 26 starts for Lakewood. Scouts are impressed by how quickly Sánchez developed a feel for pitching. He went 7-2 with 2.59 ERA in 13 starts in the second half.

Contact staff writer Jim Salisbury at 215-854-4983 or jsalisbury@phillynews.com.