Ryan Phillips

[riverside sluggers]

http://soxprospects.com/players/images/phillips.ryan.jpg

Age: 21

Born: May 29, 1984

Resides: Altus, OK

Height: 6-4

Weight: 210

Bats: Left

Throws: Left

Drafted: 11th round, 2004

College: Barton County CC

High School: Altus HS

ETA: 2009

 

Ryan Phillips is quite the 2004 drafted starting pitcher who has flown under the radar. His 2004 season was delayed due to minor frays found in his labrum. Like in Manny Delcarmen's case, Phillips was impressive coming off of surgery. Hence being named to the NYPL All Star team. I'll give any updates as they come.

 

2005 (Lowell)- 14 starts, 7-2 record, 2.28 ERA, 61 Ks in 67 innings pitched.

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Scouting Report: Three-quarters arm slot. Fastball typically hits high 80s, but occasionally tops out in the low 90s. Mixes in his change-up well. Missed 2004 pro season after signing early and finding minor frays in his labrum.

[CrespoBlows]

I don't see this guy as anything except, maybe a set up guy. His fastball isn't good enough to fool major league hitters. He is still young, so this should be an interesting year for Phillips.

[jsinger121]

he is lefthanded so he will get an opportunity more than other pitchers.

[ClayBuchholzIsDaFuture]

I don't see this guy as anything except, maybe a set up guy. His fastball isn't good enough to fool major league hitters. He is still young, so this should be an interesting year for Phillips.

Low 90's FB from a lefty is not "good enough"?:dunno:

[Cityofchampions33]

Well, it doesn't mean he won't fool ML hitters but he'll have to work a bit harder and be a bit smarter. Yeah, just because he doesn't have tremendous velocity doesn't mean he won't make it, like Bronson Arroyo (though Bronson has tremendous stuff)

[CrespoBlows]

Low 90's FB from a lefty is not "good enough"?:dunno:

 

That's all he basically has. His changeup is below average, his curveball isn't refined, nor any other secondary pitch. His fastball might fool some A hitters, but not any big leaguers.

 

Look at Abe Alvarez for example, he has great command, but his stuff is below average. He probably won't be any thing more than MR fodder.

[riverside sluggers]

Of course his pitches are not refined and he cant fool major leaguers, a lot of that has to do with the fact he just had his first season in single A league. Probably enter there again, with a Double A promotion possible if he produces anything close to 05 stats. He's just 21 & with Sox's farm directors, I believe he will keep moving in the right direction.

[CrespoBlows]

Of course his pitches are not refined and he cant fool major leaguers, a lot of that has to do with the fact he just had his first season in single A league. Probably enter there again, with a Double A promotion possible if he produces anything close to 05 stats. He's just 21 & with Sox's farm directors, I believe he will keep moving in the right direction.

 

I think you misunderstood of what I said.

 

Phillips' fastball will NEVER fool any big league hitter. He has absolutely no other pitches besides a weak changeup, and a 87 mph fastball. This guy is Abe Alvarez, except his fastball is about two mph faster.

[jsinger121]

and tom glavines fastball is real spectacular is well. he is only on his way to 300 wins. you don't need to throw hard to be successful. its all about pitch location and changing speeds. that said i don't think ryan philips will be tom glavine but i also wouldn't give up on a lefthander who is still 21.

[riverside sluggers]

I think you misunderstood of what I said.

 

Phillips' fastball will NEVER fool any big league hitter. He has absolutely no other pitches besides a weak changeup, and a 87 mph fastball. This guy is Abe Alvarez, except his fastball is about two mph faster.

 

No I understood full well what you said. You are taking the scouting report on his pitches in his single A stage, thinking that will nothing improve making him basically a career minor leaguer. With more experience & grooming, he can gain speed on his pitches, adapt new pitches, etc.

 

We'll see how it goes this season. If Im wrong about him in the end, fine I'll be the one to admit .

[Cityofchampions33]

yeah, it's not like anyone though Papelbon would be what he might become very soon, he went in the 6th round. A lot of s*** can change from now until later, as he just sarts to develop.

[jsinger121]

4th round actually but he was the 6th red sox pick because of supplementals.

[MC Hammer]

and tom glavines fastball is real spectacular is well. he is only on his way to 300 wins. you don't need to throw hard to be successful. its all about pitch location and changing speeds. that said i don't think ryan philips will be tom glavine but i also wouldn't give up on a lefthander who is still 21.

Yeah, but theres a big difference here. Glavin could thread a needle from 100 feet away. He had outstanding accuracy that was so good it often fooled umpires. Plus he had more than a minimially effective change up to go along with his fastball.

 

The only similarity you could draw between these two pitchers is that they're both left handed.

[jsinger121]

i never said he was glavine.....im saying that glavine does not throw hard and that pitchers who don't throw can be successful if they have control and can spot there pitches. philips is still young enough where he can develop so I wouldn't get throw him to the curb yet.

[CrespoBlows]

yeah, it's not like anyone though Papelbon would be what he might become very soon, he went in the 6th round. A lot of s*** can change from now until later, as he just sarts to develop.

 

Big difference.

 

Papelbon had an outstanding fastball and complemented it with a good changeup and great slider. Phillips has an average fastball, and no other good secondary pitch to go along with it.

[CrespoBlows]

i never said he was glavine.....im saying that glavine does not throw hard and that pitchers who don't throw can be successful if they have control and can spot there pitches. philips is still young enough where he can develop so I wouldn't get throw him to the curb yet.

 

No one is throwing him to the curb right now, but you guys think it's so likely that just because he's 21 his fastball and other pitches are automatically going to improve. Even if they do improve, is a 90 mph fastball (probably his ceiling), and a below average arsenal of secondary stuff going to cut it in the big leagues?

[jsinger121]

its called using the minor leagues to develop your secondary pitches. hence he is till 21 and has time to get to the big leagues.

[CrespoBlows]

its called using the minor leagues to develop your secondary pitches. hence he is till 21 and has time to get to the big leagues.

 

Buddy, you can work on your pitches as long as you want to, but if you weren't cut out to throw a curveball, then you aren't cut out to throw a curveball.

[jsinger121]

you can learn how to throw pitches in the minors.....that is where you learn to refine your secondary pitches and learn new ones if possible. hell papelbon didn't know how to throw a splitter until schilling taught him last spring. instead of throwing philips to the curb give the guy some time to refine his secondary pitches. it takes time.....its not an overnight process where he can just learn a new pitch or refine one of his pitches.

[CrespoBlows]

you can learn how to throw pitches in the minors.....that is where you learn to refine your secondary pitches and learn new ones if possible. hell papelbon didn't know how to throw a splitter until schilling taught him last spring. instead of throwing philips to the curb give the guy some time to refine his secondary pitches. it takes time.....its not an overnight process where he can just learn a new pitch or refine one of his pitches.

 

Of course you can learn how to throw pitches in the minor leagues, but how effective they are is another question. I'll give him time to develop, but whether he can successfully do I'll have my doubts.

 

BTW, where would you rank Phillips in terms of Red Sox prospects, and what do you think his ceiling is?

[Cityofchampions33]

Crespo, ur basing ur assumptions of a scouting report of a 21 year old. If it were a 25+ year old then yea, the guy wanst meant to pitch for a living. Lester is the perfect expample of refining your pitches, the year before last, he was on track to be a decnt starter because he hadnt refined his secondary pitches to the level he needed. But when he did he became our most promising pitching prospect.

[jsinger121]

Of course you can learn how to throw pitches in the minor leagues, but how effective they are is another question. I'll give him time to develop, but whether he can successfully do I'll have my doubts.

 

BTW, where would you rank Phillips in terms of Red Sox prospects, and what do you think his ceiling is?

 

i would rank him in the red sox top 20 probably between 15-18. he has pretty good upside if he can stay healthy. if he develops properly a #3-4 starter. he did have a frayed labrum which caused him to miss the 2004 pro season.

[Cityofchampions33]

Good to hear

[CrespoBlows]

Crespo, ur basing ur assumptions of a scouting report of a 21 year old. If it were a 25+ year old then yea, the guy wanst meant to pitch for a living. Lester is the perfect expample of refining your pitches, the year before last, he was on track to be a decnt starter because he hadnt refined his secondary pitches to the level he needed. But when he did he became our most promising pitching prospect.

 

Another bad example. Lester throws 95 mph, and COULD throw secondary pitches. He had a outstanding year in single A Sarasota.

 

Phillips throws 87 mph at max. That's right now. Now, do you really believe he can improve that much to become at least a 3 starter? Unless he has gets at least two secondary pitches, he's just middle relief material.

[Cityofchampions33]

What are you talkin about, the year before his whole rep was that he had the velocity (which before was low 90's not 95) and needed to sharpen his secondary pitches.

[jsinger121]

Another bad example. Lester throws 95 mph, and COULD throw secondary pitches. He had a outstanding year in single A Sarasota.

 

Phillips throws 87 mph at max. That's right now. Now, do you really believe he can improve that much to become at least a 3 starter? Unless he has gets at least two secondary pitches, he's just middle relief material.

 

he is now two years removed from an injury in which he should only be stronger. he has time to refine his secondary pitches. he doesn't need to throw 95 to get people out. if he tops out at 91 as a lefthander and if his secondary pitches develop he has a chance to be good. to me it seems like you want to write off ryan philips 1 yr into his pro career.

[CrespoBlows]

he is now two years removed from an injury in which he should only be stronger. he has time to refine his secondary pitches. he doesn't need to throw 95 to get people out. if he tops out at 91 as a lefthander and if his secondary pitches develop he has a chance to be good. to me it seems like you want to write off ryan philips 1 yr into his pro career.

 

I'm not writing him off, I'm saying that he's not that good of a prospect.

 

Sure, he can throw 91 mph, but have you seen his secondary pitches? They're terrible, he's shown absolutely nothing to indicate that he could at least develop into a number three.

 

Just so you know, a college trained pitcher SHOULD get SS A ball hitters out.

[jsinger121]

a 7-2 record with a 2.28 era is really not getting hitters out. granted his k/bb ratio needs to improve but with experience and improvement he can take that next step.

[riverside sluggers]

As it stands right now, his stats speak for themselves. He led the starters in lowest ERA, and made the all-star team.

 

Heading into the 2006 season, I'll be sure to track his appearances.

[Cityofchampions33]

No, everyone agrees he has potential and is a top 15-20 spect, just Crespo forgets he's 21 years old