Phil Seibel

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #30 prospect in 2007
  If Seibel is completely over his history of elbow problems, he could make the Angels bullpen after arriving in a December trade with the Red Sox for Brendan Donnelly. L.A. is Seibel's fourth organization, as he was drafted by the Expos in 2000 and sent to the Mets in a forgettable seven-player deal two years later. Claimed on waivers by Boston after the 2003 season, he made two relief appearances in the majors the following April but has pitched just 130 innings since. Seibel strained an elbow ligament while in college at Texas and required Tommy John surgery after the 2004 season, costing him all of 2005. He was lights out in his return last year, though a strained forearm aborted his chances for a September callup. Seibel's strong suits are his fastball command, his slider and his makeup. He easily locates his 86-88 mph fastball on both sides of the plate and commands his entire repertoire, which also includes a curveball and changeup. He's not overpowering, but he doesn't make mistakes and he gets outs. He limited lefties to a .147 average and righties to a .154 mark in 2006. The Red Sox kept Seibel's innings and pitch counts down last year as a precaution. He has recovered from the forearm strain, so he should be 100 percent for 2007.
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  Ranked New York Mets #11 prospect in 2003
  The Mets obtained Seibel from Montreal last spring when Bruce Chen was shipped to the Expos. A member of Team USA's college squad in 1999, Seibel strained an elbow tendon the following year during his final season at Texas in 2000. Now that he has completely recovered, he's making rapid progress. He spent all of last year at Binghamton and led the team in wins. Seibel is a classic crafty lefthander with good command of four pitches. He throws a high-80s fastball and a plus changeup. His stuff can border on nasty when both of his breaking balls--a good slider and an improving curveball--are working and complementing his fastball. Seibel has a good feel against lefthanders and is aggressive against hitters from both sides of the plate. He also does the little things well, such as holding runners on base and fielding his position. Seibel's greatest needs are to repeat his delivery in order to maintain his command, and to master the finer points of pitching. Seibel could contribute in the majors as either a starter or reliever, and he'll pitch in Triple-A this season.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #27 prospect in 2002
  Seibel boosted his stock as a member of Team USA's college squad in 1999, posting a 2.12 ERA that ranked second behind eventual Dodgers first-round pick Ben Diggins. Then he strained a tendon in his elbow at the University of Texas, causing him to slide to the eighth round in the 2000 draft, where the Expos scooped him up. He didn't make his pro debut until last season--in high Class A, no less--when he worked exclusively as a starter after also seeing time in the bullpen as a Longhorn. Seibel is a crafty lefthander with three solid pitches. He has an 87-89 mph two-seam fastball that produces ground balls, a 78-80 mph slider and a plus 79-80 mph changeup. Seibel needs to maintain a consistent delivery because he'll fly open in his delivery and lose command of his pitches. Montreal officials compare him to a young Mike Hampton, a comparison he'll try to justify in Double-A this year.