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Keeping up With Astros Prospects: Brett Phillips

By Eric Huysman

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Normally every Saturday for my prospect spotlight, I do a player interview. I’m still waiting to hear back from the minor league player I interviewed, so I will add his interview when I get it. Next week I will interview J.D. Davis, the Lancaster third baseman. For this week’s “Keeping up With Astros Prospects,” I will discuss Brett Phillips for multiple reasons.

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The first reason is that Brett Phillips gets moved up into the top-100 top prospects by

MLB Pipeline

. Phillips currently sits at number 98 on the top-100 prospect list. While the Astros know what type of player that Phillips is, it is nice for him to get some love finally. Earlier in the offseason, I wrote that once

Carlos Correa

and

Mark Appel

are no longer considered a prospect, which Brett Phillips would be considered for the top spot.

Brett Phillips is considered by some people as a potential five-tool player. Maybe six-tools because of his personality and humor. This season, his stolen base numbers are down from 23 last year to 4 so far this year. His slash line has increased from .310/ .375/ .529/ .905 in 2014 to .315/ .381/ .556/ .936. Last year Phillips hit 17 home runs and had nine so far in 2015.

The argument could be made that one of the two players drafted by the Astros would immediately go to the front of the rankings. Look for CTH’s Mock draft tomorrow and check out CTH’s draft coverage here. Think you have what it takes to be a major league GM, select who you would pick with the first five picks of Monday’s draft here. Whoever is drafted Monday, Brett Phillips should be near the top next year.

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Near the top, if he is still a part of the Houston Astros organization. It is rumored that the Philadelphia Phillies are interested in acquiring Phillips, and may be able to pry him out of Houston’s hands with a certain starting pitcher. Jon Heyman the other day mentioned that Phillips could be included in a trade for ace

Cole Hamels

. Here are some

CTH posts on Cole Hamels

.

While the Astros could risk losing a potential All-Star in Phillips, for the sake of 3-4 years of having Cole Hamels. I am one of Phillips biggest fans, but the Astros need one more ace pitcher to go behind Dallas Keuchel. They could go after a cheaper Johnny Cueto, the Reds would want Phillips too.

The Astros are at a crossroads right now, as they decide whether to trade the future for potential success this season in the playoffs. Jeff Luhnow has the prospects to acquire a big time ace, and while Hamels will be the most expensive, he will also be around the longest.

For continued CTH coverage of Brett Phillips, click here. (Including interviews)

Next: A Case to Draft Daz Cameron

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