In the third round the Phillies continued with their college arms taking RHP Cody Bowker from Vanderbilt.
This season was Bowker’s first at Vanderbilt after transferring from Georgetown. He was good in the Cape Cod League in between before having an ok year for the Commodores (4.38 ERA 72 IP 28 BB 99 K).
He is another low slot, short pitcher. His fastball is low 90s with good shape due to his delivery and good ride. It seems like his changeup is his next best pitch, but is average at best with a lack of feel for movement and location. It isn’t great when all the public reports don’t really agree on what breaking ball a player throws, and there is a slider/cutter nexus of a pitch that the Phillies will probably need to retool into something new.
Overall, the fastball and decent control means there is starting pitcher upside, but the Phillies will need to rework the offspeed pitches to get there. He looks to be a pick in the expected range of the draft, but not one that is going to make you go wow.