Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies invite top prospects to big league camp for Spring Training

Published Jan. 7, 2016 8:04 a.m. ET

foxsports

On Wednesday, the Phillies announced that a handful of prospects will be invited to big league camp for Spring Training as non-roster invitees.

The list includes their top four prospects, according to MLB.com, in shortstop J.P. Crawford; pitchers Mark Appel and Jake Thompson; and outfielder Nick Williams.

Of those top four prospects, three of them were acquired in the past year -- Appel headlined a package from the Astros for Ken Giles, while Thompson and Williams were part of the July trade from the Rangers for Cole Hamels.

Crawford, the Phillies' top prospect, was drafted in the first round of the 2014 draft.

Also joining those four guys is righty Zach Effin (ninth-ranked prospect); catchers Andrew Knapp (18th), Gabriel Lino and Logan Moore; and first baseman Brock Stassi.