Justin De Fratus

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #20 prospect in 2013
  DeFratus had been on an accelerated path to Philadelphia ever since moving to the bullpen full-time in 2010. He made five big league relief appearances at the end of 2011 and seemed primed to make an impact with the Phillies last year, but he had an injury-plagued campaign. He strained his right elbow while working out in the offseason and went to the disabled list in spring training, and he didn't return to full health until mid-July. After spending most of the year in Triple-A, DeFratus returned to the majors in September. His fastball sits at 91-95 mph with slight sink, and he backs it up with a swing-and-miss slider and a fringy changeup. A raw junior-college find, he has benefited from professional coaching and the daily routine of pro ball. Scouts laud his competitiveness and aggressiveness on the mound, and some compare him to Brad Lidge. DeFratus figures to spend 2013 in Philadelphia's bullpen, and he has the upside of a set-up man.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #7 prospect in 2012
  De Fratus hit 94 mph while at Ventura (Calif.) JC, but his fastball sometimes dipped into the mid-80s by the third or fourth inning. After turning pro, he benefited from a fulltime pitching coach and daily routine, both of which he lacked as an amateur. He took off in 2010, when he hit 98 mph in the Florida State League all-star game and served as Team USA's closer in the Pan Am qualifying tournament, and made his big league debut this September. De Fratus' fastball sits at 92-95 mph with slight sinking action. His 82-85 mph sweeping slider has come a long way, advancing from a fringy offering to a true plus pitch, but some scouts think he uses it too frequently. He also has a low-80s changeup. De Fratus has thrown strikes since he signed, though he wasn't able to pinpoint his pitches as effectively in 2011 as he had in the past. He has the bulldog mentality and short memory required to work the late innings. Sometimes compared to Brad Lidge, De Fratus figures to play a significant role in Philadelphia's 2012 bullpen. He has the stuff and makeup to become a set-up man.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #15 prospect in 2011
  When the Phillies scouted DeFratus as an amateur, his Ventura (Calif.) JC club didn't have a full-time pitching coach. That explains why he came into pro ball so raw and unrefined. He has added strength to his frame and benefited from a daily routine, and he now has the best control in the system. Though he worked as a starter in the second half of 2009, DeFratus pitched exclusively out of the bullpen last year, including a stint as Team USA's closer in the Pan Am qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico. Relieving seems to suit him. His 92-95 mph fastball seems even harder because of his physically imposing frame, and he turned heads by hitting 98 in the high Class A Florida State League all-star game last summer. His heater can get straight at times, so he has worked to add late movement. His slider is occasionally a plus pitch and has continued to improve, though he needs to be more consistent with it. Scouts commend DeFratus' ability to work out of tough situations, noting his fearless determination. After getting added to the 40-man roster in November, he'll likely open 2010 in Triple-A, but he has an outside shot of making the big league team in spring training.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #29 prospect in 2010
  The Phillies drafted DeFratus out of Ventura (Calif.) JC, where he showed raw arm strength but was green in terms of pitching experience. He has advanced slowly in pro ball, but he has made improvements with his conditioning and delivery. DeFratus does a better job now of maintaining his velocity, sitting at 88-92 mph with his fastball and regularly touching 94-95 mph out of the bullpen. His command is among the best in the system, and he locates his fastball down in the zone consistently. He didn't allow a walk last year until May 12, and was so good out of Lakewood's bullpen that he became a starter in the second half. Though he was much more hittable working out of the rotation, his command didn't waver. His slider also continued to improve, giving him a second average to plus pitch. His changeup remains below-average in terms of life and his arm speed, but he does throw it for strikes and generally keeps it down. DeFratus finished strong before an oblique strain shut him down for the playoffs. His long-term future is likely as a reliever, but he'll pitch in the Clearwater rotation in 2010.

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: DeFratus hit 94 mph while at Ventura (Calif.) JC, but his fastball sometimes dipped into the mid-80s by the third or fourth inning. After turning pro, he benefited from a full-time pitching coach and daily routine, both of which he lacked as an amateur. He took off in 2010, when he hit 98 mph in the Florida State League all-star game and served as Team USA's closer in the Pan Am qualifying tournament, and made his big league debut this September. Scouting Report: DeFratus' fastball sits at 92-95 mph with slight sinking action. His sweeping slider has come a long way, advancing from a fringy offering to a true plus pitch, but some scouts think he uses it too frequently. He also has a changeup. DeFratus has thrown strikes since he signed, though he wasn't able to pinpoint his pitches as effectively in 2011 as he had in the past. He has the bulldog mentality and short memory required to work the late innings. The Future: Sometimes compared to Brad Lidge, DeFratus figures to play a significant role in Philadelphia's 2012 bullpen. He has the stuff and makeup to eventually become a set-up man, and it's possible he could get a shot at closer if Phillippe Aumont falters.