Jesse Biddle

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #11 prospect in 2015
  The Phillies popped local product Biddle with the 27th pick in the 2010 draft, and he has deep roots in the city of Philadelphia, having attended the Germantown Academy. He pushed through the low minors with relative ease, albeit with a mediocre walk rate. Biddle led the Eastern League with 154 strikeouts at Double-A Reading in 2013, but he also walked 5.3 batters per nine innings, which landed him back in the EL in 2014 for a season that turned out to be an unmitigated disaster. First he sustained a concussion in the middle of a freak springtime hailstorm in Reading, then a 10-run shellacking on June 26 earned him a demotion to high Class A Clearwater until the concussion symptoms dissipated. He ultimately returned to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League a month later to regroup. Scouts who saw Biddle in the instructional league continue to like what they see, including his typical 91-93 mph fastball, a low-80s slider with bite and a changeup in the high 70s with good fade. He still throws his signature mid-70s curveball, but most evaluators note that he casts the pitch. He left winter ball in Puerto Rico after two starts with elbow soreness, though the Phillies protected him on the 40-man roster anyway. Biddle seems bound for Reading again in 2015, this time for a true second turn at the level. If he can get his control in order, he can make huge strides toward achieving his ceiling as a back-end starter.
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #2 prospect in 2014
  In his third full pro season, Biddle ranked third in the Double-A Eastern League in strikeouts (154) while ranking first among starters in opponent average (.210), and he struck out Maikel Franco in his one-inning stint in the Futures Game. He dealt with a bout of whooping cough that sapped his energy and had a bout of plantar fasciitis late in the season, though he never missed a start. Biddle has excellent size and athleticism, and he runs his fastball up to 94 mph and sits comfortably in the low 90s when he's at full strength. His dynamic curveball has reminded some evaluators of Barry Zito's offering and rates as the system's best. He also features a slider, which he threw in high school and then initially shelved in pro ball, and a changeup. The latter is average now and has a chance to be plus in the future. Biddle's spotty fastball command and a tendency to come out of his delivery when throwing his curveball led to a walk rate of 5.3 per nine innings, and he led the EL in walks (82). Biddle will have to pitch more efficiently in order to remain a starter. The Phillies believe that he will, giving him the stuff and frame to be a middle-of-the-rotation workhorse for years. If not, he'll still have a spot in the majors, most likely toward the back end of a rotation. He should start 2014 in Triple-A.
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #1 prospect in 2013
  The Phillies were enamored with two high school players, California outfielder Christian Yelich and local lefty Jesse Biddle, in the 2010 draft. When the Marlins took Yelich four picks prior to Philadelphia's selection at No. 27, that made the decision for them. They were thrilled to get Biddle, a lifelong Phillies fan who was in the stands at Citizens Bank Park for the Game Five clincher in the 2008 World Series. After seeing him shine at the East Coast Pro Showcase in the summer of 2011, Philadelphia targeted Biddle, who had thrown only 33 innings as a junior at Germantown Friends School--13 miles north of the Phillies' ballpark. Area scout Eric Valent went to nearly every one of his starts as a senior, and various club officials including general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and senior adviser Pat Gillick also scouted him. Biddle sealed the deal by impressing in a private predraft workout at Citizens Bank Park. He gave up an Oregon commitment to sign quickly for $1.16 million. He has progressed steadily, leading the high Class A Florida State League with 151 strikeouts in 2012. He pitched the entire season at age 20 and was the FSL's second-youngest ERA qualifier behind Pirates righthander Jameson Taillon. Biddle ranked No. 8 and No. 2 on this list after his first two pro seasons before ascending to the top spot. Biddle has drawn comparisons to Andy Pettitte for his frame, four-pitch mix and tough three-quarters arm angle that induces whiffs and weak contact. Pitching once a week as an amateur, Biddle worked at 92-94 mph with his fastball. He now operates more at 88-93 mph, but his fastball sneaks up on hitters and plays as a plus pitch because of his crossfire deception and leverage on the mound. He can also get swings and misses with a sweeping 72-75 mph curveball that features good shape and arc. He struggled to control its depth and throw it for strikes in the past, but he was much more consistent with his curve in 2012 and it now projects as a future above-average offering. His 78-80 mph tumbling changeup continues to progress and could develop into an average pitch. Biddle added two new weapons in 2012. The Phillies reintroduced the slider that he threw in high school, and they also worked with him on picking up a two-seam fastball to get more outs early in the count. Biddle has cut his walk rate every year since signing, and did a better job of pitching to both sides of the plate in the FSL. He has a smooth delivery and arm swing, so he could continue to improve his control and command. He also earns praise for his maturity, competitiveness, aptitude and work ethic. The safe projection would be to call Biddle a solid No. 3 starter who can eat innings in the middle of a contender's rotation. But he could have more upside if he continues to get better like he has throughout his young pro career. He benefited from pitching alongside college draftees and fellow lefties Adam Morgan and Austin Wright in Clearwater, and the trio could stick together in 2013 at Double-A Reading.
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #2 prospect in 2012
  Biddle pitched his high school ball at Germantown Friends School, 20 minutes away from Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies sent multiple scouts to every one of his starts in 2010 before drafting him 27th overall and signing him away from an Oregon commitment for $1.16 million. In his first full pro season, he was the third-youngest pitcher in the South Atlantic League. Biddle sat at 92-94 mph as a high school senior but has had inconsistent fastball velocity as a pro. He settled in at 87-90 mph during the second half of 2011, but he has remained effective because of his secondary pitches. After not needing a changeup in high school, he has developed a 78-80 mph offering with fade that flashes plus potential. He also throws a sharp 72-75 mph curveball with so much break that Biddle struggles throwing it for strikes. Down the line, Philadelphia might reintroduce a slider he once showed on the showcase circuit. He throws across his body and needs to improve his fastball command. He has the work ethic to do so. A strong projectable lefthander, Biddle has No. 3 starter potential and has earned comparisons to Andy Pettitte. He'll make the jump to high Class A in 2012.
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #8 prospect in 2011
  Biddle didn't pitch much as a junior at Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia, but he emerged on the summer circuit. No one followed him more closely last spring than his hometown Phillies, who scouted every one of his starts. After Philadelphia selected him 27th overall and signed him away from an Oregon commitment for $1.16 million, he reached Williamsport during a successful pro debut. Biddle is a projectable lefty whose frame evokes Clayton Kershaw's. Biddle's fastball easily sits at 91-94 mph with armside run, and he could add more velocity with time. Biddle's 77-81 mph changeup shows flashes of being a plus pitch. He throws a low-70s curveball, which is in its nascent stages, and scouts are encouraged by his ability to spin the ball. During the spring, he flashed a slider that some scouts thought had more potential than his curve. More than anything, the Phillies rave about Biddle's makeup and competitiveness. He'll have to smooth out his delivery, which features a small head jerk. He'll also need to improve his fastball command and be more consistent with his offspeed pitches. Biddle has frontline-starter potential, and some scouts compare him to Brian Matusz. He'll spend his first full pro season in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Eastern League #11 prospect in 2013
  With a bit more command, Biddle would be much higher on this list. Alas, the young southpaw walked more than five batters per nine innings, a ratio that gives many pause when projecting a starting pitcher. Biddle?s bread and butter is his sharp, Barry Zito-type curveball that he can drop in for a strike in the high 70s or bury at a righthanded hitter?s feet. The weapon was particularly potent in late April, when Biddle fanned 16 Harrisburg batters over seven one-hit innings. The problem here is command, which might stem from his tendency to vary his arm slots. One scout noted that Biddle threw his average fastball and slider from a true three-quarters arm slot and his curve from high three-quarters. At times Biddle?s two breaking balls blend into one. The slot on his changeup, which has plus potential as well, varied between the two.
• 
  Ranked Florida State League #10 prospect in 2012
  The second-youngest ERA qualifier in the league behind Taillon, Biddle led the FSL with 151 strikeouts in 143 innings. Clearwater manager Chris Truby, who skippered him last year in low Class A, said Biddle made considerable improvements this season. "His command of his fastball got better," Truby said. "And I thought his breaking ball became more consistent. He's now throwing it for strikes. It's not just a swing-and-miss pitch, he buries it." Biddle effectively spots his 90-93 mph fastball to set up his hard curveball. He doesn't throw as hard as most of the pitchers on this list, but his fastball seems to get on hitters quickly. He has made progress with his changeup, using it to induce weak contact.
• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #6 prospect in 2011
  In his first full pro season, Biddle learned from his mistakes and made adjustment against the best competition he ever has faced. He went 0-3, 7.16 in April as he had difficulty with his control and command. He lowered his ERA each month, however, posting a 2.40 mark the rest of the way. Biddle uses his 6-foot-4 frame to gain leverage on the mound and does an outstanding job of keeping hitters off balance by mixing his 87-91 mph fastball with his 11-to-5 curveball. His changeup features nice tail and deception, so he should have three average or better pitches once he improves his ability to locate them in the strike zone. "He worked hard to get better and that hard work led to better fastball command, which set the stage for his other pitches, his curveball and changeup," Lakewood manager Chris Truby said. "It also allowed him to be more aggressive and challenge hitters because he had confidence out there on the mound."
• 
  Ranked Florida Complex League #7 prospect in 2010
  Biddle grew up just outside of Philadelphia, and his hometown team made him a first-round pick and handed him a $1.16 million bonus in June. He helped pitch the Phillies to the Northern Division title but was promoted before they won the GCL playoffs. A physical lefthander, Biddle has a strong 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame and a 90-94 mph fastball. He has good command and mound presence for a high school pitcher. He also throws a curveball and changeup that need more consistency. In the spring, scouts saw him throw a slider that they preferred to his curveball and thought had the potential to become a plus pitch.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #71 prospect in 2014
• Ranked Baseball America's #89 prospect in 2013

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: The Phillies were enamored with two high school players, California outfielder Christian Yelich and local lefty Jesse Biddle, in the 2010 draft. When the Marlins took Yelich four picks prior to the Philadelphia's selection at No. 27, that made the decision for them. They were thrilled to get Biddle, a lifelong Phillies fan who was in the stands at Citizens Bank Park for the Game Five clincher in the 2008 World Series. After seeing him shine at the East Coast Pro Showcase in the summer of 2011, Philadelphia targeted Biddle, who had thrown only 33 innings as a junior at Germantown Friends School. Area scout Eric Valent went to nearly every one of his starts as a senior, and various club officials including GM Ruben Amaro Jr. and senior advisor Pat Gillick also scouted him. Biddle sealed the deal by impressing in a private predraft workout at Citizens Bank Park. He gave up an Oregon commitment to sign quickly for $1.16 million. He has progressed steadily, leading the high Class A Florida State League with 151 strikeouts in 2012. He pitched the entire season at age 20 and was the FSL's second-youngest ERA qualifier behind the Pirates' Jameson Taillon. Biddle ranked No. 8 and No. 2 on this list after his first two pro seasons before ascending to the top spot. Scouting Report: Biddle has drawn comparisons to Andy Pettitte for his frame, four-pitch mix and tough three-quarters arm angle that induces whiffs and weak contact. Pitching once a week as an amateur, Biddle worked at 92-94 mph with his fastball. He now operates more at 88-93 mph, but his fastball sneaks up on hitter and plays as a plus pitch because of his crossfire deception and leverage on the mound. He also can get swings and misses with a sweeping 72-75 mph curveball that features good shape and arc. He struggled to control its depth and throw it for strikes in the past, but he was much more consistent with his curve in 2012 and it now projects as a future plus offering. His 78-80 mph tumbling changeup continues to progress and could develop into an average pitch. Biddle added two new weapons in 2012. The Phillies reintroduced the slider that he threw in high school, and they also worked with him on picking up a two-seam fastball to get more early-count outs. Biddle has cut his walk rate every year since signing, and did a better job of pitching to both sides of the plate in the FSL. He has a smooth delivery and arm swing, so he could continue to improve his control and command. He earns praise for his maturity, competitiveness, aptitude and work ethic. The Future: The safe projection would be to call Biddle a solid No. 3 starter who can eat innings in the middle of a contender's rotation. But he could have more upside if he continues to get better like he has throughout his young pro career. He benefited from pitching alongside college draftees and fellow lefties Adam Morgan and Austin Wright in Clearwater, and the trio could stick together in 2013 at Double-A Reading. If all goes according to plan, Biddle might be able to help the Phillies in the second half of 2014.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Biddle pitched his high school ball at Germantown Friends School, which is just 20 minutes away from Citizens Bank Park in suburban Philadelphia. The Phillies sent multiple scouts to every one of his starts in 2010 before drafting him 27th overall and signing him away from an Oregon commitment for $1.16 million. In his first full pro season, he was the third-youngest pitcher in the South Atlantic League. Scouting Report: Biddle sat at 92-94 mph as a high school senior but has shown inconsistent fastball velocity as a pro, settling in at 87-90 mph during the second half of 2011. He has remained effective because of his secondary pitches. After not needing a changeup in high school, he has developed a 78-80 mph offering with fade that flashes plus potential. He also throws a sharp curveball with so much break that Biddle struggles throwing it for strikes. Down the line, Philadelphia might reintroduce a slider that he once showed on the showcase circuit. He throws across his body and needs to improve his fastball command. He has the work ethic to do so. The Future: A strong, projectable lefthander, Biddle has No. 3 starter potential and has earned comparisons to Andy Pettitte. He'll make the jump to high Class A in 2012, and the Phillies hope his fastball velocity will bounce back in his second full season.