P.J. Phillips Stats & Scouting Report College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

The younger brother of Indians infielder Brandon Phillips has little of the flash his brother showed coming up through the minor leagues. His former Redan High teammate--Chris Nelson, the Rockies' first-round pick last year--was more similar to Brandon in temperament and tools than is the lanky P.J. At 6-foot-3 with broad shoulders, Phillips could have trouble staying at shortstop. He's just an average runner (6.9 seconds over 60 yards), and scouts aren't sure if his range will be sufficient as he matures physically and gets stronger. He has a strong arm, registering in the high 80s when he pitches, and is athletic enough to move to an outfield corner if needed. It's his bat that makes him the top prep senior in Georgia. Phillips regularly takes batting practice with wood bats and shows plus power potential, using his long arms to flick the barrel of the bat through the zone quickly. One scout went so far as to compare his bat to that of B.J. Upton, though others called that a stretch. His makeup also is a plus. Phillips knows what pro ball is about thanks to his brother and is quietly confident in his abilities.

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