Cole Phillips hitting 100.4: https://twitter.com/kevinkeneely1/status/1548873885529120768?s=21&t=yPQ2NdvDGNOao5RL9wkkXg
Its not just the height, it's the frame. Everywhere I've read seems to agree Ritchie has the frame to squeeze a few more MPH out of his fastball.
The big knock on Murphy is his small frame. If he had a bigger frame he probably isn't there at 20. But he sits 90-92 and there's a lot of questions about if he can squeeze anymore velocity out.
If Murphy adds 3 MPH then the sky's the limit. I love the depth of his arsenal and his control. But if his fastball is maxed out his ceiling is much, much lower.
One thing I love about both guys is both have plus command. Ive seen way too many Sean Newcombs.
Ritchie is from Bainbridge Island, which was the last known location of the serial killer Joe Goldberg. Now, I'm not saying that Ritchie is Goldberg, but I don't think we can rule it out.
Dana Brown said tonight they saw Murphy top out at 96.
75. SP Cole Phillips, Boerne High School
Tommy John surgery this spring pushes him down some but Cole Phillips has first round caliber stuff and throws a decent amount of strikes. The fastball velocity was way up this spring and he was hitting 99 MPH while sitting 94–96 MPH each outing. Phillips has 6.6' of extension too so you know that plays up. He only sat 91–93 MPH last summer and topped out at 95 MPH. His elbow immediately popped when the velocity jumped. Does the velocity stay when he returns? That’s why he is ranked so low. The fastball has plus spin and average vertical movement with plus horizontal life from a 5.7' release height and 0.9' release side. The pitch should miss bats regardless but it only has real elite potential if he can hold the velocity gains from this spring.
The slider took a major step forward this spring. He’s bumping the upper eighties now and it has nasty bite with limited depth. It’s somewhat of a slutter hybrid and might be better served by going full cutter. I have it as above-average but it’s a loose grade. The curveball is average mostly due to the slot that helps him out. He sits 76–79 MPH with average depth and some sidespin. The changeup has flashed plus fading action but struggled with depth and was too slow in the summer. He had more velocity in the spring but I’m not sure if that affected the shape.
There is four intriguing pitches in Phillips’s toolset and he has a solid delivery with control. There is some risk given the stuff only just popped up right before the elbow popped and we don’t know what he’ll be when he returns, but the upside of spring 2022 Phillips is worth spending seven figures in order to find out.
I hope he's showing some potential velocity. If he's 93-96 he's probably an entirely different pitcher than 90-92. But we'll see.
He could of been had a couple of rounds from now.