Matt Imhof
| IP | 161 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 3.913 |
| WHIP | 1.472 |
| BB/9 | 4.975 |
| SO/9 | 7.602 |
- Full name Matt Michael Imhof
- Born 10/26/1993 in Hayward, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
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Drafted in the 2nd round (47th overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2014 (signed for $1,187,900).
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Imhof emerged as a weekend rotation stalwart during his sophomore year at Cal Poly, earning a spot on USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team last summer. He took another step forward this spring, leading Division I with 12.09 strikeouts per nine innings through 12 weeks of play. Imhof pitches predominantly with his fastball, which ranges from 89-92 mph and occasionally touches 93-94. It plays up because of the angle he generates with his 6-foot-5 frame and high arm slot, and sometimes he cuts and runs the pitch, making it even more effective. He succeeds against righties by pitching in but doesn't locate as well to the outside corner. Most of his strikeouts come off his fastball, as his secondary stuff lags behind. Evaluations of Imhof's curveball range from fringy to solid-average. Inconsistency in his release point causes inconsistency in the breaking ball, but mechanical tweaks could remedy that. He seldom throws his changeup, which rates as below-average but flashes better. Imhof lacks the raw stuff to be a big league ace, but he has a strong track record of performance and could sneak into the back of the first round, though most scouts prefer him in the second.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Looking for quicker returns in a system that had been widely panned for lack of impact at the top, the Phillies went college heavy in the 2014 draft, inking only one high schooler out of their 28-player class. Imhof, a Cal Poly lefthander who pitched on USA Baseball's College National Team in 2013 and finished seventh in NCAA Division I with 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings in 2014, was the club's second-round pick and signed for $1,187,900. Blessed with a physical pitcher's body, Imhof primarily works off his fastball, which clocks in at 86-92 mph and touched 94 in college. He couples it with a 75-80 mph curveball, which features strong overhand break out of a high three-quarters slot. He has a changeup as well, which sits in the low 80s, but he doesn't throw it often. None of his pitches grade as plus, but all are average or have the potential to be average with development. His arsenal gets a bit of a boost from the deception created when he hides the ball behind his body during delivery. A polished college arm, Imhof should begin the 2015 season at high Class A Clearwater. He projects as a back-end starter but one who could move quickly.
Draft Prospects
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Imhof emerged as a weekend rotation stalwart during his sophomore year at Cal Poly, earning a spot on USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team last summer. He took another step forward this spring, leading Division I with 12.09 strikeouts per nine innings through 12 weeks of play. Imhof pitches predominantly with his fastball, which ranges from 89-92 mph and occasionally touches 93-94. It plays up because of the angle he generates with his 6-foot-5 frame and high arm slot, and sometimes he cuts and runs the pitch, making it even more effective. He succeeds against righties by pitching in but doesn't locate as well to the outside corner. Most of his strikeouts come off his fastball, as his secondary stuff lags behind. Evaluations of Imhof's curveball range from fringy to solid-average. Inconsistency in his release point causes inconsistency in the breaking ball, but mechanical tweaks could remedy that. He seldom throws his changeup, which rates as below-average but flashes better. Imhof lacks the raw stuff to be a big league ace, but he has a strong track record of performance and could sneak into the back of the first round, though most scouts prefer him in the second.
