Name: Daniel Child
Position: RP
Bats: RH
Throws: RH
DOB: July 24, 1992
Height: 6′ 5″
Weight: 230

Drafted: Drafted in the 18th round (541st overall) by the Phillies in the 2013 draft, signed for $100,000

Pre Draft Report:

Out of high school Child was a pop up guy who had a fastball sitting 89-91 but he could touch 95 at times.  He had a good looking slider that scouts compared to Brad Lidge.  The Padres drafted him in the 48th round but he elected to attend Oregon State.

In college Child worked as one of OSU’s midweek starters.  Scouts like his frame but the effort in the delivery and questions on the control slot him as a bullpen arm.  Child can get his fastball in the 92-95 range and he will show a slider with plus potential.

Career Synopsis:

Child signed fairly early and was assigned to the GCL Phillies where he walked 3 and struck out 8 in 5.2 IP.  He was then moved to the Clearwater Threshers when they needed pitchers. Over 13 innings of relief he had a 1.38 ERA with 9 H 2 ER 5 BB 4 K.

Scouting Report: Below is an assessment of Child’s 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

Fastball: 60
Control: 40
Command: 30
Secondary Pitches: Slider 50/60

Summary: It is a stereotypical relief profile for Child.  If he can find some control he is better than a middle reliever, but he will also need to make the slider a plus bat missing pitch.

Upside:

If he can miss bats and the slider can be a plus pitch, as well as the control being fringe average he is likely just short of a high leverage/closer type reliever.  He could move very quickly if he puts some of it together.

Videos:

Articles

UPDATE: Child started the 2014 season at Clearwater as the Phillies’ 30th ranked prospect. After three bad months at Clearwater he was demoted to Lakewood where he turned in an even worse month.  Child didn’t make it out of spring training in the following season and was released between 3/27 and 4/2/15.  He caught on with the Lincoln Saltdogs in the American Association in Independent Ball for 2 months and was only marginally better.

Profile updated: 9/21/2015