Drafted in the 9th round (266th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2005 (signed for $75,000).
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For the second straight year, one of the state's top prospects is the son of a local scout. In 2004, Chippewa Hills High catcher Billy Killian went in the third round to the Padres, for whom his father William is a part-time scout. Phillips' dad Arnold holds a similar position with the Devil Rays. On the right day, Phillips can look like a first- or second-rounder. He can carry the 90-93 mph velocity on his fastball into the late innings, throw a mid-80s slider and even mix in a forkball. But his heater is a bit straight and he's inconsistent, as evidenced by his 2-8, 4.23 record that includes 94 hits in 77 innings (Oakland's leaky infield defense is also to blame). Though he has a strong frame, scouts aren't enamored of his arm action because he drags his shoulder. Phillips missed part of 2003 and all of 2004 recovering from labrum surgery, a red flag for some clubs. But with his two hard pitches and ability to pitch well with emotion, he profiles well as a late-inning reliever. Draft-eligible as a sophomore, Phillips could go in the top five rounds to a team not worried about his medical history. He could be a better pick in 2006 if he returns to Oakland and has a more dominant performance.
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Phillips has some of the best raw arm strength in the system, but his command comes and goes. At times he showed first- or second-round potential as an amateur, but labrum surgery forced him to miss part of 2003 and all of 2004 and scared many clubs off. Phillips pitches at 92-93 mph and tops out at 96 with his fastball. He shows better control at lower velocities and can fall in love with his radar-gun readings. When it's on, his mid-80s slider is a plus pitch, but his command of his slider is even more tenuous than that of his fastball. Phillips looks like an elite relief prospect if both pitches are working, but he struggled mightily when the Blue Jays pushed him to Double-A. He doesn't have much of a changeup, so lefthanders could give him trouble at higher levels. Phillips in an intense competitor and has a strong frame, though he tends to drag his shoulder in his delivery. He'll probably open 2007 in high Class A next season, and if he stops trying to make a perfect pitch every time and his command falls into place, he could move fast.
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