Anthony Hewitt Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1939
AVG	.223
OBP	.265
SLG	.367
HR	56

Full name Anthony Hewitt
Born 04/27/1989 in Brooklyn, NY
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Salisbury School
Drafted in the 1st round (24th overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008 (signed for $1,380,000).

View Draft Report

Hewitt is the epitome of high-risk, high-reward. The risk starts with his signability: Any team that drafts Hewitt must be prepared to open its wallet and buy the academic-minded Brooklyn native-turned-Connecticut boarding school star out of a commitment to Vanderbilt. There's also a huge risk that he simply won't hit in professional ball: his raw bat was overmatched against quality pitching on the showcase circuit last summer, and though he dominated vastly inferior prep competition this spring, he still struggles to recognize breaking balls and can get locked up at times by ordinary fastballs. But then he'll crush a ball 450 feet and give scouts a glimpse of his prodigious upside. Several scouts said he was second to Tim Beckham as the best athlete at the East Coast showcase last summer, and he has three legitimate above-average tools in his raw power, speed and arm strength. His muscular 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame evokes Ron Gant, and his work ethic and charisma stand out. Hewitt plays shortstop for Salisbury, but his poor footwork, stiff actions and lack of instincts will dictate a shift to third base or more likely the outfield, where he has enough speed and arm strength for center or right. Hewitt has generated mountains of buzz in the Northeast and could sneak into the supplemental round or even the back of the first round if a club falls in love with his potential enough to overlook his crudeness.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Phillies had extra draft picks in 2008, with supplemental first- and third-rounders and an extra second- rounder. That allowed Philadelphia to gamble a bit on upside, and no player represents that more than Hewitt, whom it selected 24th overall. A Brooklyn native, Hewitt's academic and athletic pursuits led him to the Salisbury School in Connecticut, where coach Mark Leavitt is a former scout. Scouting directors generally considered Hewitt the 2008 draft class' top athlete thanks to his strength, speed and explosiveness. He wasn't a consensus first-rounder because of his raw status, especially his bat. Undeterred by his lack of experience and Vanderbilt commitment, the Phillies signed Hewitt for $1.38 million. Hewitt has work ethic, charisma, athleticism and intelligence, but right now he has no clue at the plate. He finished the year in a 2-for-38 funk, striking out at least once in 25 of his last 27 games in the Gulf Coast League. Pitch recognition hampered Hewitt, who the Phillies hope was just trying to catch up to tougher competition. He also was shifting from shortstop to third base, though his stiff hands and lack of pure infield actions could force a shift to the outfield. The Phillies consider raw power to be Hewitt's calling card down the line as he gains experience. Scouting director Marti Wolever said Hewitt could hit .250 with 30 home runs in a realistic scenario. He's a long way from that after striking out in more than half his pro at-bats. Hewitt may repeat the GCL or get a promotion to short-season Williamsport in 2009, and could need 2,000 at-bats to unlock his potential.

Minor League Top Prospects

Hewitt climbed into the first round of the 2008 draft based on his supreme athleticism and enormous raw tools, but the Phillies knew he would be a long-term project. He remains extremely unpolished in all phases of the game, and he struck out once every three at-bats this summer--though that's actually an improvement from his pro debut in the GCL last year, when he whiffed every 2.1 at-bats. "He has tremendous tools, light-tower power," Truby said. "He hit some balls a long way this year, as far as I've ever seen balls hit. It's just about having a consistent approach. He's done better. He's had really good flashes and he knows what he needs to do." Hewitt did improve his approach and cut his stroke down, though his timing still needs work and his swing tends to be grooved. He has shown well above-average raw power in batting practice since his prep days, and he also has plus-plus arm strength and 65 speed underway, though he lacks first-step quickness. That's one reason he struggles mightily at third base, where he made 26 errors this summer. Hewitt has stiff hands and simply lacks infield instincts, and the overwhelming sentiment in the NY-P was that he profiles better as a cannon-armed right fielder. In time, he could be a superstar, but it will take many minor league games and there's no guarantee he's ever going to maximize his gargantuan potential.
The Phillies knew they were getting a raw athlete with major questions about his bat when they selected Hewitt 24th overall in June and paid him $1.38 million. But they believed his upside outweighed the risk and will be patient in his development. He went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts in his first game and whiffed in nearly half his at-bats in his first pro summer. "He just needs to play and get at-bats, and he'll get better and better," Mansolino said. "He has unbelievable power and can hit the ball out of anywhere." Hewitt has three plus tools with his arm, speed and light-tower power. Translating that power into games will take some time. A high school shortstop, he moved to third base and projects as an average defender there.