Jason Phillips

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Mets #13 prospect in 2003
  The Mets could upgrade their defense significantly if they named Phillips their starter and moved Mike Piazza to first base, but Mo Vaughn's weighty $10 million salary this year makes that an impossibility. Regardless, Phillips is knocking on the door of the majors. A solid receiver who continues to improve in all aspects of the game, Phillips had his best power season to date in his first extended Triple-A stint. He hits for a decent average, though his walk rate dipped last year. He's not a basestealing threat, but he doesn't clog the bases like most catchers. Phillips' strengths are his catch-and-throw skills and his game-calling ability. He threw out an uncharacteristically low 22 percent of basestealers in 2002, but he has a better am than that. He moves well behind the plate and has a take-charge attitude that can be infectious for the pitching staff. With Piazza determined to remain a catcher and Vance Wilson establishing a foothold as a big league backup, Phillips has no clear path to the big leagues in 2003. A return to Norfolk remains likely, but he's ready for the majors.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #17 prospect in 2002
  Phillips continued to show last year that he's the top catching prospect in the organization. A classic catch-and-throw receiver who was named the Double-A Eastern League's best defensive catcher, Phillips earned a late-season callup to New York after hitting a combined .295 with 14 home runs between Norfolk and Binghamton. The Mets are extremely pleased with the way Phillips has become more of an offensive threat over the past couple of seasons. He should continue to have some pop in the big leagues, and is expected to be a tough out in the bottom half of the batting order. His strength centers on his ability to call games and work with pitchers. With the way he has made steady progress in all phases of his game, Phillips just needs to put together a full season of similar success in Triple-A this year. Should he meet that challenge, Phillips could be the catcher who pushes Mike Piazza to first base.