To hear Charlotte Knights manager Razor Shines tell it, the only thing keeping big lefty Heath Phillips from reaching his full potential has been a lack of focus.
Gaining it has been the difference between being the 33-49 lifetime lower level pitcher that he was, to the impressive 12-4 White Sox prospect that he has become.
"I've seen him develop," said Shines, who managed Phillips in three previous seasons in the lower reaches of the ChiSox chain. "And every year he's gotten better, and better, and better. I think he's reached the stage right now where he is a major league prospect."
Big (6-3) and beefy, Phillips has the arm strength to throw a baseball through the backstop.
However, heft alone doesn't get hitters out at any level, so Phillips has had to add some subtleties to his approach.
Shines credits Charlotte pitching coach Juan Nieves with getting Phillips’ career on track.
"This isn't a knock on anybody else," said Shines, "but I believe that Juan is the reason that Heath Phillips has done what he has done this year. He's made him focus. He's let him know that 88-89 (m.p.h.) is not going to get anybody out unless you locate. And he has forced him to locate, and forced him to focus on every pitch he throws."
That has helped Phillips keep opposing hitters off base (95/35 SO/BB ratio heading into August) and the ball in the yard. Heath has allowed just nine home runs through July 31.
The big league future for a lefthander who can be that efficient is unlimited, and Shines is Phillips' biggest booster.
"He's going to pitch in the big leagues," Shines said. "I don't know where. I don't know when. But I'm listening to scouts, I'm watching him go about his work. He is focused, and he's going to do a good job up there."
- Dan HICKLING
