For the first time in the 2017 draft the Phillies veer away from the college ranks to take a projectable high school pitcher. Much like 2015, the Phillies take a LHP in the 5th round, this time it is Ethan Lindow out of Georgia (they took Bailey Falter in 2015). Much like Falter, Lindow has a good frame, but lacks current velocity. He sits in the high 80s and has touched up to 92. His best offspeed pitch is a curveball and he has some feel for a changeup. It does seem like his stuff dropped off as the spring went on, so the Phillies may be buying low on a guy who would have been rated higher had he kept his stuff up. Baseball America noted that he worked out with Tom Glavine whose son he played with in travel ball. You can never have too many projectable HS arms, but I don’t see big upside here, but he does look like he could be a solid starter if he fills out and regains some his early season improvement.
The Phillies picks to this point indicate an overslot pick coming, but Lindow is more the run of the mill high school arm who should be at or below slot.