California is usually a hotbed of baseball talent, and once again the state is rich on MLB Draft prospects, including high school right-hander Phil Bickford.
2013 MLB Draft scouting report round-up: RHP/1B Phil Bickford
Phil Bickford is a rising prospect in the MLB Draft. While raw, he’ll bring plenty of talent to whichever organization drafts him.
The 6’4 Bickford has an electric arm, with his fastball clocked in the mid-to-upper 90s at times. While most scouts describe his secondary offerings as raw at best, Bickford has upside with an electric fastball and an ideal frame to go along with it. He’s committed to Cal State Fullerton, but is a consensus top-50 prospect in the draft.
Vital statistics
| Phil Bickford | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pos | High School / College | Consensus Rank |
| RHP/1B | Oaks Christian HS | 1st round (Dodgers) |
| B/T | Birthdate (age) | Height / Weight |
| R/R | 7/10/1995 | 6'4" / 200 |
What they’re saying
- ESPN Scouts Inc.: “He will sit 90-93 mph and has touched 96 with riding life on it, a pitch that appears to explode in on hitters late. His lack of a breaking ball is a real concern -- his curveball is well below-average, lacking depth and easily visible out of his hand, while his slider is flat thanks to his low three-quarters arm slot.”
- Matt Garrioch, Minor League Ball: “Up to 97, sits 92-94. Slider is swing and miss pitch but can hang. Burch Smith comp.”
- Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times: “Bickford has been clocked at 97 mph. But it’s his ability to throw strikes while throwing so hard that makes him very valuable. Growing up, he used to practice hitting a target low and away 10 consecutive times before he could move on.”
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