Cord Phelps Stats & Scouting Report

AB	116
AVG	.155
OBP	.216
SLG	.241
HR	2

Full name Robert Cord Phelps
Born 01/23/1987 in Stanford, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Stanford
Debut 06/08/2011
Drafted in the 3rd round (107th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2008 (signed for $327,000).

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After Ratliff, Stanford's best position prospect is second baseman Cord Phelps, who offers a strong switch-hitting bat. One scout compared him to Chris Donnels for his upright offensive stance and swing from the left side, and Phelps may move to third base as a pro. He should have enough athletic ability to stay in the middle infield for a while.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

Phelps posted a second straight solid offensive season in Triple-A and earned a shot to fill Cleveland's hole at second base in June. He didn't have much success before getting sent back to Columbus, and by the time he returned to the majors in August, Jason Kipnis had laid claim to the second-base job. Phelps has a limited ceiling, but he gets the most out of the tools he has because he has very good instincts. He's a patient hitter who manages his plate appearances well and doesn't chase many pitches out of the strike zone. His hitting mechanics aren't conventional, as he sets up from a deep crouch with low hands, but he doesn't swing and miss much and flashed more power last season than he had in the past. He still projects more as a gap hitter than a home run threat. Phelps is a below-average runner with an average arm, so he doesn't add much on the bases and is limited defensively. Second base is his best position, as he's stretched thin at shortstop and hasn't handled third base well in limited time there. With Kipnis at second, Lonnie Chisenhall at third and Jason Donald established in a utility role, it could be difficult for Phelps to force his way into the Indians' plans. If he can carry his Triple-A success over to the majors, he should be able to find a role as at least an offensive-oriented bench player.
After ranking seventh in the minors in walks with 93 walks in 2009, Phelps continued to work counts but more aggressively attacked pitches last season. He batted .308/.368/.457 between Double-A and Triple-A, improved his production after he got to Columbus and continue to hit in the Arizona Fall League. Phelps doesn't have a standout tool, but he's a smart hitter with a tremendous approach and the ability to make in-game adjustments. He sets up from a deep crouch and keeps his hands in a low trigger position, but he has a smooth swing and doesn't strike out often. He's a spray hitter with a contact-oriented swing and good instincts at the plate, but he's not a threat to hit for power. A below-average runner, he's a serviceable defender with an average arm. He made eight errors in a brief trial at third base in the Arizona Fall League. Where Phelps will fit with Cleveland remains a question. The Indians' two best hitting prospects, Lonnie Chisenhall and Jason Kipnis, play both of his positions. They're both likely to open 2011 in Triple-A, which is likely Phelps' destination as well. He could fill in on the big league roster before Chisenhall and Kipnis are ready.
Phelps was a late bloomer at Stanford, where he played sparingly as a freshman and didn't hit a homer until his junior year in 2008, when he clocked 13. The power surge elevated his prospect status, and he signed for $327,000 as a third-round pick. Phelps doesn't have flashy tools, but he's a savvy player who approaches each at-bat with a good plan at the plate. He has a strong frame, an upright stance and a line-drive swing, though he needs to reduce the load with his hands. He's a switch-hitter whose stroke tends to get a little longer from the right side. He has fringe-average speed but runs the bases well. At second base, Phelps' arm strength, range, hands and ability to turn the double play are all solid. He's big for a second baseman, but he's a steady fielder with the athleticism to stay in the middle infield. He has good instincts in almost all phases of the game, which help his tools play up. The Indians aren't afraid to challenge Phelps, who could start his first full season in high Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

Through sheer hard work, Phelps made himself into a prospect over three years at Stanford. After hitting .351 with 13 homers in a breakout junior year last spring, he catapulted himself into the third round of the draft. Scouts and managers who saw him in the NY-P gave him plaudits for his all-around game. The switch-hitting Phelps hit better than .300 against lefties and righties in his debut, though his swing is longer from the right side. He has a strong frame and a line-drive stroke, but he needs to cut down his load. An intelligent player who picks up new skills quickly, he's an outstanding situational hitter. Phelps' instincts also play well on the basepaths, where he's a fringe-average runner. He has solid range, hands and arm strength at second base, where he's steady but not spectacular.