Jonathan Pettibone

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #4 prospect in 2013
  The son of former big league pitcher Jay Pettibone, Jonathan signed for $500,000 in 2008. He has climbed steadily through the system and claimed a spot on the 40-man roster. Pettibone doesn't have the highest ceiling among Phillies farmhands, but he might have the lowest floor. Aside from his youth, he has several attributes working in his favor--a tall frame that allows him to work downhill easily, a solid three-pitch mix, durability and a track record or performance. Pettibone works quickly and establishes tempo with a 90-92 mph sinker that touches 94, and he effectively pitches to both sides of the plate. He also throws an above-average changeup at 80-84 mph with good arm speed. He started throwing an 83-86 mph cutter late in 2012. His cutter is firmer and breaks later than his low-80s slider, giving him an added weapon against lefthanders. He has an effortless, repeatable delivery that looks like he's playing catch, and he has the system's best command. Though Pettibone doesn't have a true swing-and-miss pitch, his stuff plays up because of his command. He profiles as a mid-rotation, innings-eating starter, and he needs little more seasoning before contributing in the big leagues. He could be the first starter promoted to Philadelphia in 2013.
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #4 prospect in 2012
  A Southern California recruit, Pettibone was thought to be unsignable in 2008, but fellow California high school product Cole Hamels helped persuade him to join the Phillies for $500,000 as a third-round pick. Pettibone's father Jay pitched briefly in the majors and played under current Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel at Double-A Orlando in 1984. After finishing 2010 on a strong note, Jonathan took the biggest step forward of any Phillies farmhand last year. Pettibone pitches to both sides of the plate with a 90-94 mph fastball that touches 95, and he maintains his velocity deep into games. His 81-84 mph changeup gives him a second plus pitch. He has the best command in the system, and his advanced feel for pitching allowed the Phillies to give him a two-seam fastball earlier than they do with most pitchers. He has made progress with his two-seamer and improved the depth of his 80-83 mph slider, though he doesn't throw it often. He has a smooth, repeatable delivery and a clean arm action that produces easy velocity. Of the Phillies' top pitching prospects, Pettibone is the best bet to reach his ceiling, which is as a mid-rotation starter. He'll join Trevor May at the front of Reading's rotation in 2012.
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #18 prospect in 2011
  Though he doesn't have the same name recognition as Lakewood's other pitching prospects last year, Pettibone was drafted higher than Brody Colvin and Jarred Cosart. Philadelphia selected Pettibone in the third round in 2008 and signed him away from a commitment to Southern California for $500,000. Unlike Colvin and Cosart, he succeeds more with polish than power. The son of former big league pitcher Jay Pettibone, Jon has such an advanced feel for pitching that the Phillies already have introduced a two-seam fastball and slider to him, something they usually don't do until much later in the development process. He responded by posting a 2.37 ERA in his final two months in low Class A last year. Pettibone's operates at 92-94 mph with his fastball, maintaining his velocity deep into games. His arm action produces easy velocity and late life. He also has good arm speed on his solid-average changeup, which could develop into a plus pitch. He throws his short slider in the low to mid-80s, and his curveball in the upper 70s. Both breaking pitches have shown flashes of promise but have a ways to go. Pettibone's smooth, repeatable delivery gives him good command, though there's a concern that he's around the plate too much. He projects as a mid-rotation starter and will advance to high Class A in 2011.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Eastern League #19 prospect in 2012
  The only pitcher younger than Pettibone to make more than 10 starts in the EL this season was Altoona's Gerrit Cole, but the two righthanders couldn't be more different in terms of style. Despite the fact that Pettibone struck out batters at a rate below the EL average, many scouts believe he has the potential to serve as a command-oriented mid-rotation starter in the big leagues. The Phillies are obviously believers--they promoted him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on July 30. Pettibone offers a number of positive attributes: his youth, 6-foot-5 frame, three-pitch mix, durability and performance track record. He pounds the lower half of the zone with 88-92 mph sinkers, locating the ball well to both sides of the plate and changing speeds (topping out near 94) for effect. He maintains arm speed on a solid changeup that he commands and forces batters to put in play because he's around the plate so much. Pettibone continues to work to refine a fringy slider that could feature average velocity and tilt with further development. He began throwing a cutter against lefthanders late in the season. All of Pettibone's stuff plays up because of his plus control, but critics point to an overall lack of deception or a dependable swing-and-miss pitch. Despite being around the plate so much, he generally keeps the ball in the yard and surrendered just nine homers in 26 total starts this season, none in Triple-A.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: The son of former big league pitcher Jay Pettibone, Jonathan signed for $500,000 as a supplemental third-round pick in 2008. He has climbed steadily through the system, easily handling Double-A and Triple-A in 2012 and claiming a spot on Philadelphia's 40-man roster. Scouting Report: Pettibone doesn't have the highest ceiling among Phillies farmhands, but he might have the lowest floor. Aside from his youth, he has several attributes working in his favor--a tall frame that allows him to work downhill easily, a solid three-pitch mix, durability and a track record or performance. Pettibone works quickly and establishes tempo with a 90-92 mph sinker that touches 94, and he effectively pitches to both sides of the plate. He also throws an above-average changeup at 80-84 mph with good arm speed. He started throwing an 83-86 mph cutter late in 2012. His cutter is firmer and breaks later than his low-80s slider, giving him an added weapon against lefthanders. He has an effortless, repeatable delivery that looks like he's playing catch, and he has the system's best command. The Future: Though Pettibone doesn't have a true swing-and-miss pitch, his stuff plays up because of his command. He profiles as a mid-rotation, innings-eating starter, and he needs little more seasoning before contributing in the big leagues. He could be the first starter promoted to Philadelphia in 2013.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: A Southern California recruit, Pettibone was thought to be unsignable in 2008, but fellow California prep product Cole Hamels helped persuade him to sign for $500,000 as a third-round pick. Pettibone's father Jay pitched briefly in the majors and played under current Phillies manager Charlie Manuel at Double-A Orlando in the Twins organization in 1984. After finishing 2010 on a high note, Jonathan took the biggest step forward of any Phillies farmhand in 2011. Scouting Report: Pettibone pitches to both sides of the plate with a 90-94 mph fastball that touches 95, and he maintains his velocity deep into games. His 81-84 mph gives him a second plus pitch. He has the best command in the system, and his advanced feel for pitching allowed the Phillies to give him a two-seam fastball earlier than they do with most pitchers. He has made progress with his two-seamer and improved the depth of his 80-83 mph slider, though he doesn't throw it often. He has a smooth, repeatable delivery and a clean arm action that produces easy velocity. The Future: Of the Phillies' top pitching prospects, Pettibone is the best bet to reach his ceiling, which is as a mid-rotation starter. He'll join Trevor May at the front of Reading's rotation in 2012.