AB | 68 |
---|---|
AVG | .324 |
OBP | .418 |
SLG | .456 |
HR | 3 |
- Full name Phillip Mathew Evans
- Born 09/10/1992 in Whittier, CA
- Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School La Costa Canyon
- Debut 09/08/2017
-
Drafted in the 15th round (462nd overall) by the New York Mets in 2011 (signed for $650,000).
View Draft Report
A veteran of the showcase circuit, Evans went 2-for-3 in the Aflac All-American game last summer and entered his senior year as a preseason All-American. But he regressed this spring, showing less speed and strength than he had in the past, and hitting the ball with less authority. Scouts say he models his defensive style after Tony Wolters, a Southern California middle infielder who was drafted in the third round by the Orioles in 2010. But Wolters had better tools than the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Evans. A high school shortstop who could probably handle the position at San Diego State if he goes to college, Evans projects as a second baseman in pro ball. He has good hands and flashes average arm strength, but sometimes he drops his arm slot and flips the ball to first too casually. He lacks the range for shortstop but could be an average defender at second. Evans has shown average speed in the past, but he has consistently produced below-average running times this spring. He plays hard, though, and his speed plays up a tick because of his hustle. Evans has a simple, repeatable righthanded swing, and projections on his bat range from fringe-average to plus, depending on the scout. He has some strength in his forearms and projects for fringe-average power, despite his small stature. Evans lacks standout tools, but he's an instinctive player, and the sum is greater than the parts. Scouts say they wouldn't be shocked if Evans gets drafted in the top three rounds, but most of them seem more comfortable with him in the fifth- to seventh-round range.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
-
Evans slipped to the 15th round of the 2011 draft after a poor senior year at La Costa Canyon High, but the Mets ponied up supplemental first-round money ($650,000) to sign him away from San Diego State. Evans then slipped from prospect relevancy by hitting .228/.294/.298 in more than 1,100 plate appearances in Class A ball from 2013 to 2015. Thus, he surprised even the Mets in 2016 by hitting .335 at Double-A Binghamton to claim the Eastern League batting title. Evans uses a short, compact swing and employs a middle-field approach, so he can be an average hitter. He works all fields with plus bat control and the ability to gap the ball for doubles. Though Evans seldom walks, he began to drive the ball consistently in the second half of 2016 and has the near-average power to hit about 10 home runs. He started more games at shortstop than any other position at Binghamton but is better at second or third base with average range and an above-average arm. Most evaluators see Evans as big league utility player with enough bat and flexibility to be interesting. He will begin at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2017. -
A projected top-three-rounds pick entering 2011, Evans fell all the way to the 15th round following a flop of a senior high school season. The Mets ponied up $650,000 to sign him away from San Diego State. Evans generates gap power with a strong righthanded stroke, but he's maxed out physically so he must work with what he has. He controls the strike zone well for a teenager and could grow into a solid hitter, though he's a below-average runner and basestealer. Evans rewrote his scouting report with short-season Brooklyn last year, working with infield coordinator Kevin Morgan to improve his lateral quickness and arm strength while showing fluid actions at shortstop. Amateur scouts had pegged him as a future second baseman because of his squat body and fringy range, but now most evaluators give him a chance to stay at shortstop--with average range and an above-average arm--at least in the short term. He may have to share shortstop with Gavin Cecchini if the two wind up at Savannah this spring. -
Evans appeared to be headed to San Diego State after a disappointing senior year at La Costa Canyon High (Carlsbad, Calif.) put him on the bubble for the top three rounds of the 2011 draft. He fell to the 15th round, but the Mets liked him enough to sign him for $650,000, the equivalent of sandwich-round money. He appeared in nine games between New York's three lowest affiliates, playing his way on to Brooklyn's playoff roster and going 0-for-1 in his lone postseason appearance. Evans opened eyes during instructional league with his mature approach and strong, compact body, evoking memories of a young Dan Uggla. Evans' simple, repeatable righthanded swing is geared to hit for average. Though he's not overly physical, he may grow into fringe-average power because he has strong forearms. A shortstop in high school, he's a below-average runner who probably fits best at second base because his range and arm are merely adequate. He might just have the offensive potential to make the switch. The Mets laud Evans' work ethic and instincts, which could earn him a trip to low Class A to begin 2012.
Minor League Top Prospects
-
A star of the high school showcase circuit, Evans saw his stock slip a bit as a senior, though he still fetched $650,000 as a 15th-round pick in 2011. Many area scouts doubted he would stay at shortstop in pro ball, but evaluators who saw him in the NY-P think he has a real chance to do so. He has reliable hands, above-average instincts and sound mechanics at shortstop, where his range is fringy but his arm is solid. "He learned how to make the play coming in and made it as good as anybody," Donnelly said. "Just a massive improvement from last year to this year. He made every routine play. He makes the play in the hole, makes the play up the middle. Those groundballs that short hop or hop funny, he made every one of them." Evans is maxed out physically, but his short righthanded swing and feel for his barrel allow him to project as a solid hitter with good pop to the alleys. He sees plenty of pitches, but the Mets would like to see him become a bit more aggressive. He has fringy speed at best and his baserunning needs work.