Josh Phelps
| AB | 1394 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .273 |
| OBP | .343 |
| SLG | .472 |
| HR | 64 |
- Full name Joshua Lee Phelps
- Born 05/12/1978 in Anchorage, AK
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Lakeland
- Debut 06/13/2000
- Drafted in the 10th round (279th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1996.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Born in Anchorage and signed out of a rural Idaho high school, Phelps has the history and look of a raw, physical prospect from the Pacific Northwest. He has had to make up for his lack of experience by repeating levels, but in each case he has answered the challenge. His lack of plate discipline caught up with him in his first year at Double-A Tennessee, where he hit .228-9-28 with 66 strikeouts in 184 at-bats in 2000, earning a demotion. In his second try, Phelps won the Southern League's MVP award, leading the league in home runs and doubles, ranking second in RBIs and slugging percentage (.562), and third in on-base percentage (.406). Phelps isn't the biggest Blue Jay, but he's the strongest, with a body the organization compares to former all-star catchers such as Jody Davis and Carlton Fisk. His raw power is the best in the system, and he's an intelligent hitter who has learned how to use it. He projects to hit 30-35 homers a season in the big leagues. Phelps has worked hard to shorten a swing than can get long, and he's strong enough to overpower pitches that catch too much of the plate. Defensively, the Blue Jays say his receiving and throwing rate with his power potential. With his swing, Phelps will never be a contact hitter and has struck out more than 100 times in each of his last three seasons. Injuries have slowed his development, especially defensively, and he threw out just 18 percent of basestealers last year. In 2000, an inflamed elbow limited him to DH much of the season, and last season he labored with a torn meniscus in his right knee that required offseason surgery. Club officials say Phelps' footwork is the root of his problem and hope health and a full year behind the plate will be the remedy. Phelps is expected to be healthy for spring training, and a lights-out spring could help him land a platoon job with veteran Darrin Fletcher in Toronto. Considering the defensive work Phelps needs, a full year in Triple-A Syracuse seems more reasonable. With Toronto's catching glut, his future could be as a DH/first baseman if his defense doesn't improve. -
Phelps ranks second among five catching prospects in the system, as Lawrence passed him last season. The Blue Jays also have hopes on Jayson Werth, whom they traded for in December; Venezuelan Guillermo Quiroz, whom they signed for $1.2 million in 1999; and Kevin Cash, a converted corner infielder signed as a nondrafted free agent. The organization doesn't expect any of the five to be ready for the major leagues for at least a year or two, so it re-signed veteran Darren Fletcher. Phelps didn't play much behind the plate in 1999 after injuring his elbow, and proved unable to handle the rigors of catching everyday and hitting tougher pitching in 2000. Never noted for his plate discipline, Phelps didn't make consistent contact at either level, though his numbers improved after he was demoted from Double-A to high Class A. While he has plenty of raw power, he may have to be brought along slowly as he learns to shorten his swing.
Minor League Top Prospects
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A shoulder injury forced Phelps from behind the plate, and Cash's emergence and defensive prowess kept Phelps at DH. While the move hurts his ultimate value--catchers who can hit are always at a premium--some managers suggested that catching wasn't really his forte anyway. Malave, however, said the organization feels Phelps has too much talent to settle for just being a DH and that he could return to catching if he can stay healthy and improve his throwing. IL basestealers succeeded at an 89 percent clip against him. Offensively, Phelps has the potential to become a middle-of-the-order force with his power. His 24 homers led the minors when he was called up to Toronto on June 30, and he hit .310-15-58 in his first 72 big league games this year. "He sees the ball well and can stick with some nasty pitches," Ottawa manager Tim Leiper said. "He hits the ball to all fields and has really good at-bats." -
Phelps eliminated any questions regarding his bat this year by challenging for the triple crown. Once Dunn left, he packed more power than anyone in the league. He was named Southern League MVP after leading in doubles, homers and extra-base hits, and ranking second in RBIs and slugging percentage (.562) and sixth in batting average. While Phelps silenced his critics at the plate by using a shorter swing, some managers still had concerns about his defense. They admitted that all aspects of his catching have improved, particularly his footwork and ability to block balls, but questioned if he was of major league caliber. Others said Phelps was adequate. "He's picked it up behind the plate," Carolina manager Ron Gideon said. "Is he a frontline catcher? No. But he's a guy who can catch four or five times a week and his bat will stay in the lineup at DH or first base. He's come a long way over the past year or two."
