Phillies prospects to watch in short-season Williamsport
By John Town
Third Baseman Cole Stobbe
Cole Stobbe is the Phillies’ highest 2016 draft pick on this year’s Williamsport roster. He is off to a strong start this year, tallying two home runs and four hits total through his first three games. Those two home runs are already half of Stobbe’s total from last season. However, he also has six strikeouts and one walk in 12 plate appearances.
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Stobbe was solid last year in the GCL. In 44 games, Stobbe had a .270/.337/.405 slash line with 13 RBI and was 3-for-9 in stolen base attempts. He walked 14 times and struck out 30 times in 168 plate appearances. Stobbe played shortstop but will move to third base this season as many expected him to.
Stobbe has the potential for average tools across the board with an above-average hit tool.
He did hit for average last season and his strikeout rate was well within reason. It could definitely be better this season, but it’s far too early to render any verdict about it.
Just four games into this season Stobbe has already made two errors in seven chances at third, but as with the strikeouts, we can’t make any decisions there either. How Stobbe performs both at the plate and at third will be important to follow as he is the team’s best – and only – third base prospect.