Tom Brennan - TOP 25 METS' PROSPECTS: # 12 PHIL EVANS
The first reason I like Phil Evans is his nice, concise name. Sounds like a 1960's movie star to me.
You write a similar article about Kevin Kaczmarski (my # 22 Top Prospect), for instance, and it takes a half hour longer just because of the length of his name and spelling it right.
If Evans was on anyone's pre-2016 list, it might have been a list of guys heading into their last year before being released. The 15th rounder out of high school was a low power .230s hitter over his first 1,500+ minor league plate appearances. Uninspiring, for sure.
And then, Evans gets stuck in early 2016 in St Lucie again, due to a minor league infield logjam, and good grief, he started out 4 for 28 there - uh, oh...is the end near, I remember thinking at the time.
Then, promising utility guy Jeff McNeil went down with an injury, and as it turned out, for the season, and Phil gets promoted to AA and of course continued to struggle, right?
Wrong, he exploded, and won the AA batting title, going .335/.374/.485 in 96 games. Radar screen, let me introduce you to Phil Evans! Yeah but he fizzled down the home stretch, right? How can we criticize or diminish this guy, right?
Nope, he went an amazing 52 for his last 130, which my math say is .400. I personally like .400 hitters, I don't know about you.
He has beefed up from when he was signed as a teenager, and is listed at a short 5'9", 220. With the added beef, his power game in 2016 began to blossom, with 38 XBH in those 96 games. No speed (9 of 16 steals in 1900 minor league plate appearances), but he makes good contact.
Phil will play 2017 as a 24 year old, and after his stunning 2016, he is one of the most fascinating guys for me to watch in 2017. Lots of middle IF competition in this minors organization (not to mention in Queens), but as I said, he is now on the radar screen. And he's taking his bat in 2017 to the happy hitting grounds of Las Vegas. How about .350 this year, Phil?
He is a versatile infielder, and could well have a career as a team sub in the majors, as I see it now.
Needs to get some Out Field reps... all of our Utility projected players need to be able to play all over the Diamond... Even Catcher as a emergency sometimes...
ReplyDeleteVersatility is a new tool...
If Wally Backman was still around he'd get more of a chance. Little guys have to be five times as good to be taken seriously.
ReplyDeleteI want to remind everyone how elated I was when the Mets drafted, and signed, Evans in the 15th round of the 2011 draft. I had him as the 5th top shortstop in the draft, but Evans told everyone that he would not sign straight out of high school. The Mets took a chance in the 15th round, offered him round 1-5 slot money, and the rest is history.
ReplyDeleteThat being said now, he is completely blocked at short and he, and the Mets, would do themselves a big favor and play him exclusively at second base this upcoming season.
Good points, gents. Mack, he won't play 2nd because Cecchini needs to get there in Vegas. If it were me, i'd have each of the two play half their games at each position. They may also get some 3B. And, like Eddie said, OF reps would add to versatility.
ReplyDeleteGood points, gents. Mack, he won't play 2nd because Cecchini needs to get there in Vegas. If it were me, i'd have each of the two play half their games at each position. They may also get some 3B. And, like Eddie said, OF reps would add to versatility.
ReplyDeleteHere is a tip for you all the reasons for Evans break out year was going back to his old swing and away from the Mets "hitting approach".And no injuries and better coaching.You need to see him play to understand how good he is.
ReplyDeleteTom -
ReplyDeleteI am glad you posted this.
I loved this 'kid' coming out of school and wondered how his swing could go so bad.
Tom Smith, I echo Mack, great input, and makes me all the more confident that Evans will scorch Vegas in 2017
ReplyDelete385 Babip is tough to repeat... Matt Reynolds, cough cough
ReplyDelete