An inside look at the Phillies top prospects.
(MLBPipeline lists the top 30 prospects on each team’s website. While biding time waiting for baseball to resume, Steve Potter will provide his views of these young players. A Clearwater resident, his passion is seeing and following these prospects in person. Normally, Spectrum Field and Carpenter Complex are his second homes. His 4th Annual Phillies Minor League Digest is on sale at www.amazon.com.)
RHP Connor Seabold
Phillies #21 prospect according to MLB.com … 24 years old … 2017 3rd round selection out of Cal State Fullerton.
We saw quite a bit of Connor this past season as he spent a good chunk of his summer in Clearwater working with the rehab group due to injury, reportedly an oblique issue. He made three appearances in the Gulf Coast League beginning on June 25th and two more with the Threshers before returning to Reading on July 23rd making seven starts there to finish the season (2.25 ERA in 40 IP). He made four more starts in the Arizona Fall League posting a 1.59 ERA in 17 IP. This spring he was back with the rehab group but seemed on the verge of getting the all clear before we shut down.
Connor is a control and command pitcher who’s walked just 46 batters in 196 2/3 pro innings. He’s got a four-pitch mix, tons of confidence and the capability to bring the heat approaching the mid 90’s but generally sitting 91–93. I’ve always favorably compared him to Kyle Kendrick.
One thing folks might not know. When he first arrived in camp from college, Connor had a high Bronson Arroyo like leg kick and delivery. It’s now been simplified to a less volatile approach.
Projection: Connor’s got big league stuff and makeup, capable of becoming a solid major league starter or long reliever. He’s a warrior that uses his assets of command, deception and mix to compete. Can become an innings eater in the show.
