Earlier today, I spoke to a very good scout friend who attended both Phillies and Pirates Instructional League action this fall. He had a lot of great stuff to say about both clubs, especially the Phillies, who, despite their paltry returns in the Cliff Lee deal, boast one of the deepest and most talented farm systems in the game.

On Jarred Cosart, who missed most of the year with an elbow issue:

His fastball is back. His breaking ball looks good, but it still needs work.

On Nick Hernandez, a command artist who missed most of the year with a shoulder strain

I was disappointed. He was at 83-86 with the fastball and was all over the place. Something's not right. He walked the park when I saw him.

On Jonathan Singleton, the teenage slugger who is moving the outfield:

Looked very good in left field. Did not look out of place. He has enough of an arm and athleticism to stay at the position. ... The plate discipline impresses me the most, very rare to see that kind of command of the strike zone at such a young age.

On Jesse Biddle, the team's first-rounder from 2010:

Good body. He's got an average fastball, but the 12-to-6 curveball is his signature pitch. He's got a chance to be good, but not top-of-the rotation good.

On Cameron Rupp, a catcher the team took in the third round:

He's got a lot of raw power, but there are a lot of holes in his swing. He's a fringy prospect who can run into a fastball, but he's also very long to the ball.

On Mel Rojas Jr., the Pirates' third-rounder

I'm not really impressed. He's plenty athletic, but I'm not buying the bat.

On Jameson Taillon, Pittsburgh's first-rounder:

He has a chance to be special. If it weren't for Harper, he could have been the No. 1 pick.