Name: Eric Pettis
Position: RHP
Bats: RH
Throws: RH
DOB: 6/9/88 (22 as of April 1, 2011)
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 200 lbs
Drafted: 35th round, 2010 (undisclosed bonus)
Pre Draft Report: Eric Pettis was drafted in the 35th round of the 2010 draft out of UC-Irvine. His career at UC-Irvine was solid, as he was named the team MVP as a freshman and appeared on multiple pre- and postseason All-American lists as a sophomore and junior. He was a Cape Cod League All-Star after his junior season. After working primarily in relief during his first three seasons, he started 16 games (along with 8 relief appearances) as a senior covering 124 total innings. Heading into the draft, Baseball America rated Pettis as the 171st best prospect in California.
Pettis signed quickly and began his career in Williamsport.
Career Synopsis: Pettis began his career in Williamsport’s rotation, making five starts before being moved to the bullpen in an attempt to manage his workload. His total results were very impressive, as he compiled a 10.2 K rate against a 1.1 walk rate over 59 innings. Combined with 6.6 H/9 and not allowing a home run, Pettis ended with a 1.47 ERA and a 0.847 WHIP. He was promoted to Lakewood for the SAL playoffs.
Scouting Report: Below is an assessment of Pettis’ raw tools, rated on the traditional 20-80 scouting scale. The grades are my estimation based on what I’ve read and those I’ve talked to. The second number is a future projection, the first number is the current assessment
Arm Strength:45
Fastball:50
Control:55
Command:55
Mechanics:40
Durability:50
Secondary Pitches:50
Summary: Pettis is the type of pitcher who will have to put up numbers at every level, as he isn’t overpowering. His fastball velocity is below average, but it plays up because he can move it around quite a bit. He has good control and command and a funky delivery, which helps create deception. These grades are rough, because I haven’t seen much of him, and don’t have many scouting reports to go on.
Upside: As a college senior (and a multi-time All-American at that), Pettis was expected to excel in the NYPL, but he really dominated. He throws a fastball in the high-80s, a slider and a change and throws them all for strikes. While the fastball lacks velocity, it has movement and sinking action. His success as a reliever may tempt the Phillies to keep him in that role, but his repertoire may play better as a starter, especially if he can add a couple ticks to his fastball. Pettis should begin the season in some role in Lakewood, but could be promoted quickly if he meets with similar success. While his upside might not even be as high as some of the other college pitchers the Phils have taken recently, it’s not out of the question that they get some return on a small investment on a 35th round college senior.
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Profile Updated: 5 February 2011
Nice job with the promotion prediction.