Scott Mitchinson
| IP | 594 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.379 |
| WHIP | 1.194 |
| BB/9 | 2.727 |
| SO/9 | 8.833 |
- Full name Scott Michael Mitchinson
- Born 12/28/1984 in Perth, Australia
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Western Australia
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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For $10,000, Mitchinson became the first of an ever-increasing number of Australian teenagers to sign with the Phillies. He led the Gulf Coast League in wins and ranked second in ERA during his U.S. debut in 2004, but his most stunning stat was allowing only one walk in 62 innings. Hampered by a tender arm in extended spring training last year, Mitchinson struggled to find his trademark command. Without it, batters savaged his repertoire of fringe-average pitches. His fastball, which jumped from 85 to 90 mph during his first two years in the organization, didn't pick up any velocity, while his curveball and changeup also plateaued. Mitchinson's command must improve if he's to progress, because it's his feel and ability to locate pitches that previously compensated for his lack of powerful stuff. The Phillies hope a return to health in low Class A will do the trick in 2006. -
The Phillies signed Mitchinson on the first of what has become an annual scouting trip to Australia for youth tournaments. He was one of four Aussies to debut in the U.S. in 2004, with four more coming in '05. Mitchinson received a $10,000 bonus and spent a year at Major League Baseball's academy in Australia before tying for the Gulf Coast League lead in wins in his U.S. debut. Mitchinson's fastball has improved from 85 mph to the low 90s in two years and there's room for more velocity. But his heater takes a backseat to his command, and he posted a jaw-dropping 60-1 strikeout-walk ratio in the GCL. He throws his curveball and changeup for strikes. Mitchinson succeeds more because of his feel for pitching than raw stuff. That was enough to dominate young hitters, but he'll need to improve the quality of his pitches to succeed as he rises up the ladder. He appears ready for the challenge of low Class A. But as with Carlos Carrasco, a backlog of starters could lead to Mitchinson spending 2005 at short-season Batavia.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Mitchinson tied for the league lead with seven wins, while his 1.75 ERA ranked second. The 19-year-old Australian's most eye-popping number was his 60-1 strikeout-walk ratio. "He's got command of everything," Tigers manager Kevin Bradshaw said. "He stays low in the zone and consistently works ahead in the count." Signed by the Phillies in March 2003, Mitchinson spent last year in Major League Baseball's Australian summer program. He threw only 84 mph when he arrived for spring training this year but got a lot stronger and added 6 mph to his fastball, with the potential for a bit more. He also has a nasty hammer curve.
