Phuture Phillies

Julian Sampson made his debut, following one of our better prospects, Heitor Correa, in the GCL Phillies 6-0 win today. Sampson’s line

2.0 IP, lots of 0’s, 1 K

All 5 of Sampson’s non-strikeout outs came via the ground…nice. Correa, who has been awesome since his first few appearances, went 5 innings, giving up 1 H, 1 BB, and striking out 1.

Julian Sampson, RHP
Signed; 2007 (12th Round)
Debut; 2007 [GCL]

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(Baseball America, June 2007)

Sampson rivals Vancouver’s Greg Peavey as the top high school pitcher in Washington, a title Washington State signee Keaton Hayenga was on his way to securing before he tore his labrum sliding into third base. Sampson and Hayenga are much more similar to each other than to Peavey, who has a long national track record. Sampson, like Hayenga, has a projectable pro body (6-foot-5, 200 pounds) and has played high school basketball. He has shown pretty good present stuff, with a fastball that sits in the 90-92 mph range. He has easy velocity and a loose arm, making it easy to project future heat. While Sampson, a University of Washington signee, has flashed brilliance this spring, he has generally not been at his best mostly due to his choice of breaking ball. In the past, he flashed a slider with above-average tilt and velocity, a flat-out filthy pitch last summer and fall on the showcase circuit. This spring, though, he has more frequently used a slower, looping curveball that doesn’t have much potential. A team that has seen Sampson good still could pop him as high as the second round because of his velocity, athleticism and future potential.

(Minorleaguebaseball.com, June 2007)

Sampson throws his fastball up to 92 mph with plenty of room for more velocity. He throws a four-seamer that’s fairly straight, though it does seem to hit an extra gear when it gets to home plate. Sampson’s curve was a little slow in this outing, but it’s been better in other starts this year. Sampson has a feel for a change, but doesn’t need to throw it in games. He’s got good command of his fastball, spotting it well, and doesn’t walk too many hitters. Sampson is very poised and always shows the same calm demeanor on the mound regardless of what’s occurring on the field. Sampson has the quintessential projectable pitcher’s body with plenty of room for growth. Projectable frame; easy fastball with clean delivery and plenty of room for added velocity in future. Sampson doesn’t get challenged much at home and usually only has to keep his fastball down and throw it by people to succeed. In a year without too many “complete package” high school arms, Sampson should get a long look this spring. With a good arm, good mechanics and the kind of projection scouts look for in high school pitchers, this right-hander from the Pacific Northwest will generate plenty of interest.

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