Eric Filia

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #14 prospect in 2018
  Filia led UCLA with a .444 batting average during the 2013 College World Series as a sophomore to lead the Bruins to their first national title. He expected to be a high pick in the 2014 draft, but instead missed the 2014 season after having labrum surgery. He was then suspended from the university the entire 2015 season after he plagiarized a philosophy paper. Filia took on multiple jobs during his suspension, including working as a butler at the Playboy Mansion. Even after two years away, Filia never lost his feel to hit. He posted an .816 OPS in his return to UCLA in 2016, then hit .360 in his pro debut. He proceeded to hit .326 at high Class A Modesto in 2017 and led the California League with 65 walks and a .407 on-base percentage. He then led the Arizona Fall League with a .408 average and .483 OBP. Using an open stance with a shimmy routine that went viral on the internet, Filia takes professional at-bats and barrels up balls every time. He's an extreme contact hitter with excellent plate discipline who can handle breaking balls and doesn't get overpowered by velocity. He spoils pitches until he gets the one he wants and then drives it on a line. His stroke is flat and purely for hard line drives, without the loft to produce home run power. Filia is a below-average runner and fielder at both corner outfield positions, complicating his profile. But if he continues to hit as he always has, he'll get a shot as at least a lefthanded bench bat.