Yohan Flande

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #17 prospect in 2010
  Few prospects came as far as fast as Flande did last season. He spent three years in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League and another in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League before reaching Double-A and pitching in the Futures Game in 2009. The Phillies have pushed their minor leaguers more aggressively since Chuck LaMar took control of their farm system, and Flande responded positively when challenged. His work ethic and athleticism also helped. Signed for $10,000 at age 18, he took a while to mature physically. His previously average fastball pushed up a tick or two last year, sitting at 91-92 mph at times. His best pitch is his plus changeup, which gains deception from his a stiff, unconventional arm action. Flande is tough to profile because he doesn't throw a true breaking ball, relying more on a cutter/slider that lacks depth. That makes him more of a back-of-the-rotation starter and limits his effectiveness as a potential left-on-left reliever. He's already something of an overachiever, and the Phillies don't want to limit him. After getting added to the 40-man roster in the offseason, he figures to return to Double-A to open 2010.