Cole Phillips looks to be a solid prospect for the Atlanta Braves
Cole Phillips, a recent draft pick out of the last draft, is already making waves in the world of baseball. Having a great frame of 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Phillips is a top pitching prospect with a lot of potential.
Despite being taken after Owen Murphy and JR Richie by the Braves in the 2022 MLB Draft, Phillips has the potential to go ahead of those players if he stays healthy. Unfortunately, he did suffer from a Tommy John injury in April. However, many scouts and evaluators believe that Phillips has a high ceiling and could be a top-of-the-rotation pitcher if everything clicks with his recovery.
Phillips has a good three-pitch mix, featuring a fastball, slider, and changeup. Some evaluators have graded his fastball as a 70, with the ability to touch triple digits. His slider has a traditional two-plane break, and many scouts like the movement and late sharpness it displays. The fastball works well both up and down, and the slider is tough for hitters to square up.
One area where Phillips may need to improve is in the development of his changeup. Like many prepsters, he didn't use it often, and it was mid to upper 80s when he did. The changeup is a limiting factor that could prevent Phillips from becoming anything more than a number three pitcher if he doesn't work on improving it. However, with time and effort, there's no reason he can't develop it into an effective third pitch.
Overall, Phillips has a lot of potential as a pitcher, and his fastball and slider are already impressive. He has the size, body, and skill set to become a top prospect in the years to come. The only question that remains is when he will return from his injury and whether he can come back at full strength. If he does, Phillips could be one of the top pitchers to watch in the near future.
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