Cole Phillips

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #29 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/High
  Track Record: Cleveland signed Vargas for $275,000 in 2016, the team’s highest-dollar international signee that year. A projectable righthander Vargas grew into more velocity in the coming years and was added to the Guardians 40-man roster in 2020. He had Tommy John surgery in spring of 2021 and returned in 2022. Vargas has been traded twice the last two offseasons. He was first dealt to the D-backs in November 2022. He was moved to the Mariners in November 2023. Vargas made his MLB debut with the D-Backs in 2023 but spent most of the season with Triple-A Reno.
  
  Scouting Report: Vargas falls into the category of classic two-pitch reliever with plus-plus fastball velocity and questionable strike-throwing. His primary pitch is a fastball sitting 97-100 mph on average with inconsistent shape. He alternates between cutting the pitch and adding armside run, as he alternates between a two-seam and a cut-four seam grip. This does give Vargas some variety in fastball look to pair with his hard-cutting slider in the low-90s. The slider had a 29.5% whiff rate in Triple-A in 2023 and relies heavily on driving chase swings to be effective. Vargas is a below-average strike thrower but manages to work primarily around the plate. He throws a changeup but it’s a below-average pitch and rarely used.
  
  The Future: Vargas should see time in the Mariners bullpen in 2024 and has the tools to develop into a reliable middle relief option in time.
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 30 | Control: 45.
• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #8 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Phillips was one of the most prominent helium prospects in the 2022 draft class during the spring after he showed increased physicality and velocity that boosted his draft stock into first round territory. That helium deflated a bit after Tommy John surgery ended his season, but the Braves still signed him for $1.5 million in the second round.
  
  Scouting Report: After pitching in the low 90s during the 2021 summer, Phillips was routinely in the mid 90s and touching upper-90s velocity during the 2022 spring before his injury. That improved power translated to his breaking ball as well--a mid-80s slider with traditional downward, three-quarters bite that was sharp and late, giving him an above-average secondary. Phillips also flashed a firm, mid-to-upper-80s changeup that looks like a serviceable third pitch, though he rarely needed to use it against his high school competition. Phillips still needed to sharpen his command, but his control around the zone was also improved in the spring, and he earned comparisons with Rays righthander Shane Baz thanks to his frame and the shape of his fastball/slider combination. He showed a clean and loose delivery and should have more than enough athleticism and control to begin his pro career as a starter.
  
  The Future: Phillips spent the offseason rehabbing, but the Braves think he has a chance to start pitching at some point in the second half of the 2023 season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Slider: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 55.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #80 prospect in 2022 draft
  School: Boerne (Texas) HS Committed/Drafted: Arkansas
  Age At Draft: 19.2
  BA Grade: 50/Extreme
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70 | Curveball: - | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: | Control: 55
  Few prep arms in the country shot out of the gate this spring quite like Phillips. Over the course of a year, the 6-foot-3 198-pound righty transformed himself from a projectable college prospect into one of the country’s elite, launching himself up draft boards. In April, Phillips joined the rather large group of pitching prospects in this year’s draft class whose season ended prematurely, as he needed Tommy John surgery. Phillips has begun his road back to dominance that still may take place within a pro organization, as the impression he left still weighs heavily in the minds of scouting directors. On the mound, Phillips’ classic pitching frame is complemented with an athletic delivery. Phillips is under control to his balance point, and his long, loose takeback with good extension out in front produces life on his 95-98 mph fastball, generating run both up and down in the zone. Phillips throws a mid-80s slider that will flash plus when properly executed. The traditional downward three-quarter break is sharp and late, giving him another knockout pitch in his arsenal that still has room to develop further. Phillips does have a changeup in his mix, but he rarely had to use it this spring. The potential is there for the 85-88 mph offering to become a solid-average pitch for him, if not better, as he will begin to use it more at the collegiate or pro level. The overall command Phillips displayed this spring impressed evaluators. He’s not just a thrower, as he showed a feel for the craft and pitched with a purpose. Phillips will have to decide between an Arkansas commitment or entering the pro game. He’s expected to go among the top three rounds.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Phillips was one of the most prominent helium prospects in the 2022 draft class during the spring after he showed increased physicality and velocity that boosted his draft stock into first round territory. That helium deflated a bit after Tommy John surgery ended his season, but the Braves still signed him for $1.5 million in the second round.
  
  Scouting Report: After pitching in the low 90s during the 2021 summer, Phillips was routinely in the mid 90s and touching upper-90s velocity during the 2022 spring before his injury. That improved power translated to his breaking ball as well--a mid-80s slider with traditional downward, three-quarters bite that was sharp and late, giving him an above-average secondary. Phillips also flashed a firm, mid-to-upper-80s changeup that looks like a serviceable third pitch, though he rarely needed to use it against his high school competition. Phillips still needed to sharpen his command, but his control around the zone was also improved in the spring, and he earned comparisons with Rays righthander Shane Baz thanks to his frame and the shape of his fastball/slider combination. He showed a clean and loose delivery and should have more than enough athleticism and control to begin his pro career as a starter.
  
  The Future: Phillips spent the offseason rehabbing, but the Braves think he has a chance to start pitching at some point in the second half of the 2023 season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Slider: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 55.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Phillips was one of the most prominent helium prospects in the 2022 draft class during the spring after he showed increased physicality and velocity that boosted his draft stock into first round territory. That helium deflated a bit after Tommy John surgery ended his season, but the Braves still signed him for $1.5 million in the second round.
  
  Scouting Report: After pitching in the low 90s during the 2021 summer, Phillips was routinely in the mid 90s and touching upper-90s velocity during the 2022 spring before his injury. That improved power translated to his breaking ball as well--a mid-80s slider with traditional downward, three-quarters bite that was sharp and late, giving him an above-average secondary. Phillips also flashed a firm, mid-to-upper-80s changeup that looks like a serviceable third pitch, though he rarely needed to use it against his high school competition. Phillips still needed to sharpen his command, but his control around the zone was also improved in the spring, and he earned comparisons with Rays righthander Shane Baz thanks to his frame and the shape of his fastball/slider combination. He showed a clean and loose delivery and should have more than enough athleticism and control to begin his pro career as a starter.
  
  The Future: Phillips spent the offseason rehabbing, but the Braves think he has a chance to start pitching at some point in the second half of the 2023 season.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Slider: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 55.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/Extreme
  
  August Update:Few prep arms in the country shot out of the gate this spring quite like Phillips. Over the course of a year, the 6-foot-3 198-pound righty transformed himself from a projectable college prospect into one of the country's elite, launching himself up draft boards. In April, Phillips joined the rather large group of pitching prospects in this year’s draft class whose season ended prematurely, as he needed Tommy John surgery. Phillips has begun his road back to dominance that still may take place within a pro organization, as the impression he left still weighs heavily in the minds of scouting directors. On the mound, Phillips’ classic pitching frame is complemented with an athletic delivery. Phillips is under control to his balance point, and his long, loose takeback with good extension out in front produces life on his 95-98 mph fastball, generating run both up and down in the zone. Phillips throws a mid-80s slider that will flash plus when properly executed. The traditional downward three-quarter break is sharp and late, giving him another knockout pitch in his arsenal that still has room to develop further. Phillips does have a changeup in his mix, but he rarely had to use it this spring. The potential is there for the 85-88 mph offering to become a solid-average pitch for him, if not better, as he will begin to use it more at the pro level. The overall command Phillips displayed this spring impressed evaluators. He’s not just a thrower, as he showed a feel for the craft and pitched with a purpose. Phillips signed with the Braves for $1,497,500 after going 57th overall.