With their second pick of the draft after sitting out the second and third rounds (due to signing Jake Arrieta and Carlos Santana), the Phillies took RHP Colton Eastman. Eastman will join fellow Fullerton alumni Connor Seabold and Thomas Eshelman in the Phillies system.
Eastman has good size, but the past two years he has pitched with a below average (89-92) fastball. His calling card is a plus changeup and high spin curveball that he can use to miss bats. He does not have the same command of Seabold or Eshelman, but the changeup makes him an interesting pitcher. He profiles as a back end starter, but unless the Phillies can unlock some more velocity out of his arm, his ceiling is mostly tapped out because the secondary pitches are already there. He should move very quickly; Lakewood or Williamsport this season, and Clearwater to start 2019.
The Phillies took him at 107 overall with Baseball America rating him 75th, Fangraphs 88th, and MLB.com at 98th so I would expect him to sign for about slot value.
Instant reactions from the internet:
Check out this curve from Cal State Fullerton's Colton Eastman #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/3TxlciGknz
— Josh Nelson – Sox Machine (@soxmachine_josh) June 1, 2018
Phillies taking Colton Eastman from Cal State Fullerton. Good performance track record, usually in 89-93 mph range with lots of strikes, secondary stuff inconsistent but flashes of above avg breaker and CH.
— Brian Sakowski (@Sakowski_GoDuke) June 5, 2018
The #Phillies love their Fullerton righthanded strikethrowers. Acquired Thomas Eshelman, drafted Connor Seabold and now Colton Eastman
— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) June 5, 2018
New @Phillies draft pick Colton Eastman typically sits 90-92, up to 94. His 78-79 CV has a big spin rate that can get swing and miss, but 80-81 CH can also be lethal. One of my favorite kids to watch pitch: https://t.co/BVHIgTK4XJ
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSprD1) June 5, 2018