Paul Phillips Stats & Scouting Report

AB	221
AVG	.262
OBP	.298
SLG	.357
HR	3

Full name Paul Anthony Phillips
Born 04/15/1977 in Demopolis, AL
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Alabama
Debut 09/09/2004
Drafted in the 9th round (257th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 1998.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Before the Royals took Mike Tonis and Scott Walter in the first three rounds of the 2000 draft, Phillips was their only real catching prospect. Interestingly, he was more of a center fielder at Alabama. Kansas City made him a full-time catcher after signing him, and he responded by being named the Northwest League's No. 1 propsect in his pro debut in 1998. Like Jeremy Dodson, Phillips was jumped two levels to Double-A, where he has been mediocre with the bat for two seasons. He hasn't had as much trouble hitting for average as Dodson, but Phillips has shown little power or on-base ability. He needs to get stronger and more patient to contribute offensively. He's athletic for a catcher and excels in all phases of the game defensively. Phillips has a strong, accurate arm, and his 54 percent success rate at gunning down basestealers would have led the Texas League last year had a hip-flexor injury not cost him the necessary attempts to qualify. He also moves well behind the plate, and receives and blocks well. Kansas City needs a catcher, and Phillips could get a look if he produces in Triple-A.
Background: Phillips played primarily center field at Alabama last spring but the Royals shifted him back to catcher, where he played in high school and junior college. He was the named the top prospect in the short-season Northwest League in 1998. Strengths: Phillips is an excellent athlete with above-average speed and arm strength. He showed excellent quickness and anticipation behind the plate and the Royals say he handled pitchers with above-average raw stuff with ease. Offensively, Phillips is a line drive hitter with surprising gap power for his size. Scouts liken him to a young Craig Biggio on the basis of his size and tools. Weaknesses: The Royals had Phillips in instructional league specifically to work on a strength program to put muscle on his slender frame. The Future: The organization thought enough of Phillips to move him up to Wilmington for the Carolina League playoffs, and Phillips helped lead the Blue Rocks to the league championship. He was named the playoff MVP. He has quickly become the Royals' top catching prospect, but will have to prove that he is durable enough to catch every day.