Phillies MLB Draft 2017: Recapping Day Two picks
By John Town
LHP Ethan Lindow & SS Dalton Guthrie
Philadelphia drafted their first – and only – high schooler in the top ten in the fifth round, taking Georgia high school lefty Ethan Lindow. He is committed to the University of Alabama-Birmingham, but this early on the team shouldn’t have any trouble signing him.
In 57.2 innings this year at Locust Grove H.S., Lindow posted a 0.97 ERA with 94 strikeouts and 18 walks. He offers a low-90s fastball and two potentially average secondary pitches in a curveball and changeup. Lindow is on the more developmental side of draft prospects.
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Dalton Guthrie is Philadelphia’s sixth-round selection this year. The Florida shortstop is the son of former major-league pitcher Mark Guthrie.
Guthrie is a defensive standout with the glove to stick at shortstop. His arm is below-average right now due to surgery that moved a nerve in his arm. The team hopes he can regain strength in that arm, allowing him to stay at shortstop. Otherwise, he may have to move to second base.
Standing below six feet tall and weighing just 175 pounds, Guthrie doesn’t hit for much power.
He could have an average hit tool in time with strong bat control. He also has above-average speed which he applies well on the basepaths.