Matthew Spencer
| AB | 1766 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .272 |
| OBP | .334 |
| SLG | .452 |
| HR | 66 |
- Full name Matthew Austin Spencer
- Born 01/27/1986 in Morristown, TN
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: L / Throws: L
- School Arizona State
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Drafted in the 3rd round (113th overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007 (signed for $261,000).
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In terms of tools, Spencer is the same player who was part of a banner 2004 draft class in his home state of Tennessee. He went to North Carolina for his first two college seasons and helped the Tar Heels reach the College World Series last season, often playing center field despite his 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame and finishing second on the team with 15 stolen bases. Spencer returned to UNC for his junior year after a poor performance in the Cape Cod League (.197, one extra-base hit) and lost his job, so he transferred between semesters to Arizona State. He burst back on the prospect scene with a pair of homers at an early-season tournament in Houston with most of the industry's scouting directors in attendance, but his season was plagued by as much inconsistency as his Tar Heels career. Spencer has above-average raw power and profiles as a right fielder if he can make consistent contact. After pitching just five innings for North Carolina, Spencer had worked into a set-up role with Arizona State. Though he lacked command (16 walks in 10 innings), he has hit 94 mph, and some scouts who doubt his hitting savvy like him better on the mound. Either way, he's still far from a finished product, just as was the case out of high school.
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Spencer went to North Carolina for his first two college seasons, where he showed good athleticism despite his large frame and helped the Tar Heels finish second at the College World Series in 2006. But after he hit just .197 in the Cape Cod League last summer, he lost his starting job in fall ball, so he transferred to Arizona State for his junior season. In front of a crowd of scouts at the season-opening Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park, Spencer drilled two homers, and it was his power that attracted the Phillies. They drafted him in the third round in June and signed him for $261,000. Much like his college career, Spencer's pro debut was filled with inconsistencies. He hit for good power and a decent average, but didn't control the strike zone. Despite having slightly above-average speed, he wasn't much of a factor on the bases. With his above-average pop and arm strength--he topped out at 94 mph as a reliever for the Sun Devils--he best profiles as a right fielder. Spencer will begin his first full season in low Class A, and could move quickly once he adapts to the everyday routine of pro ball.
