Walton will test our ability to teach hitting I guess (and we are getting better with a guy like Marcus Lee Sang). Having a decent hit tool and the body to add power is not an awful thing to start with. We just have not had a great track record with this type of pick the last 5 years. Aaron Altherr another Phillies comp?
Phillies must have a more optimistic view of our low minors pitching depth right now than I do. Ottenbreit is starting to get some game action. Graves is improving. I have no idea where guys like Christian McGowan or Alex Rao are at this point.
I think they are just less interested in low ceiling arms on the picks that have large bonus slots. McFarlane is probably our best low minors pitching prospect now and he was a big arm with a high ceiling for his pick slot. We definitely like college arms with raw velocity thought that seems more to be relievers. We don't spend too much money on 4-pitch starters (or we haven't since Nola who was a pretty obvious fit for the team at that time).
BTW I think McFarlane is in a midseason pause to limit his innings like we did with Painter last year.
And that worked out well....
Correlation...
I worry about that too, except that their hitting depth is about as bare as the pitching depth. Doesn't seem that anyone of international signings out of Latin America is take a step forward this year either to fill the holes in the lower levels.
That of course is the definition of a top heavy system ranked below 20. I would say Pan from this year's international class has stood out. We just did not spend any significant money on anyone else so if they are going to throw in the mid 90s at some point it is not going to be for 3-4 years most likely.
George Klassen - this is a Barber pick. TJ surgery up to 102 this summer but really raw.
In the Sixth Round of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Philadelphia Phillies select -
RHP George Klassen, University of Minnesota
MLB # 190BA #217
Love it.
George Klassen has élite stuff with massive spin but no idea what command or control is, good gamble on stuff this late and trying to coach up what is already there— Jeffmlbdraft ( @jeffMLBdraft ) July 10, 2023
George Klassen has élite stuff with massive spin but no idea what command or control is, good gamble on stuff this late and trying to coach up what is already there
Not to suggest equivalence, but the last guy they drafted who throws really hard and had little idea where the ball was going in college was Griff McGarry.
I'd say a notch below McGarry who if I remember was coming off an almost no-hitter in the College World Series finals.
But physically as a shorter guy who can get it up to 100. This feels more like a quick reliever conversion to me rather than a starter like Kerkering because simplifying his repertoire might help his command. Durability is a concern too with his high effort motion though of course they could clean that up a bit.
George Klassen has a huge arm. Averaged 97-98 and has been up to 101. He has been up to 101 and also has a firm breaking ball. The strikes are a major concern. If the Phillies can get him in the zone more it'll be a fun one to watch. 18% walk rate this spring.— Carlos Collazo ( @CarlosACollazo ) July 10, 2023
George Klassen has a huge arm. Averaged 97-98 and has been up to 101. He has been up to 101 and also has a firm breaking ball. The strikes are a major concern. If the Phillies can get him in the zone more it'll be a fun one to watch. 18% walk rate this spring.
Love the pick- hope he can start, but even as a reliever prospect I like it.
https://twitter.com/JoeDoyleMiLB/status/1620565214507765763?s=20
In the Seventh Round of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Philadelphia Phillies select -
Jake Eddington, RHP, Missouri State University, Jr.
Not on MLB.com listBA #216
Eddington's PG video is simply awful. Not the best to look at if you're hoping for growth.
I assume they just caught him on an off day.
Jake Eddington - 92-96, up to 99. TJ in 2022. "one of the best sliders in the midwest"
https://twitter.com/JoeDoyleMiLB/status/1634241454930550784?s=20https://twitter.com/BamaRightField/status/1364710700531281928?s=20
Very nice get in the 7th round.
Umm...yeah. I just link 'em, I don't endorse them.
In fairness, it was in 2020. It would be nice to see some recent collegiate video, but I haven't found any.
Phillies scouting strategy is just to have a half dozen guys hang out outside Dr. Andrews office and write down names.
In the Eighth Round of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Philadelphia Phillies select -
Bryson Ware, 3B, Auburn University, SR
BA # 339
Ware's a power hitter, broke the Auburn single-season record for HRs this spring.