Prospect Nation 2015: #22 Outfielder Cam Perkins

Cam Perkins, image- Jay Floyd

Since he was drafted by the Phillies with their sixth round selection in 2012, outfielder Cam Perkins has been one of the organization's most promising prospects. The right-handed batting Perkins has displayed excellent skills in many aspects of his game and is closest to the big leagues out of all the players from that year's Phils draft class.

Perkins signed quickly in 2012 and upon his pro debut he batted .158 with three RBI in five games for the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies. Following a promotion to the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters, Perkins shined. In 67 games, he tallied a .304 average with 23 doubles, one triple, one home run and 38 RBI.

The following season, Perkins was a top performer in the Class A Advanced Florida State League. The year, he was sidelined with a fractured wrist after being hit by a pitch on May 31st. At the time of his injury, Perkins was among the league leaders in several offensive categories.

Five weeks later, Perkins was back in action and completed a solid season with Clearwater following two rehab outings with the GCL club. Overall that season, he batted .299 while notching 30 doubles, five triples, six homers and 53 RBI.

In 2014, the Indiana native reached the Triple-A level in his second full professional season. After starting his campaign with Double-A Reading, where he posted a .342/.408/.495 slash line in 52 games. Following a promotion to Lehigh Valley, more experienced pitching presented some concern for Perkins and his production declined. In 74 games with the IronPigs, he batted .216 with two home runs and 17 RBI.

Coaches and Phillies brass aren't worried about the dip in numbers at the higher level, though. Director of player development Joe Jordan cited Cody Asche and Maikel Franco as players who went through the same struggles upon first arriving in the International League.

This off-season, the Purdue product batted .292 with a triple and an RBI in eight games with La Guaira in the Venezuelan Winter League.

The six-foot-five 195-pounder is an aggressive swinger that puts the ball in play. He's a hitter and doesn't walk a great deal. Ideally, being more selective at the plate should be a goal for Perkins.

Coaches rave about his hand-eye coordination. Former Phillies OF and last year's Double-A Reading hitting coach Rob Ducey asserted to me in an interview that Perkins, with his frame and abilities, reminds him of a young Dale Murphy.

Perkins isn't a big speed threat, having stolen 17 bases in 30 minor league attempts. The 24-year-old does, however, have excellent instincts on the bases and is a guy that could impact a game with his feet by taking an extra bag in the right spot or by going first to third with ease.

Defensively, Perkins has played a great majority of his games in corner outfield positions, but has played 34 contests at first base, 14 at third base and three in center field. He performs well in each role and could have a future as a utility guy in the big leagues, but obviously he hopes to continue being an everyday player.

Another turn in Triple-A will certainly be in order for Perkins this upcoming season and will be a key reason for fans to get out to games at Lehigh Valley's Coca Cola Park this year.

To follow along with this year’s full countdown, click HERE.

Mike McGuire Living a Dream With Favorite Team

LAKEWOOD, NJ- Every young ballplayer grows up wishing he could play for his favorite team. Mike McGuire has an opportunity to do just that after signing with the Phillies organization in July. McGuire was a 43rd round draft pick taken by the Cleveland Indians in the 2008 amateur draft out of the University of Delaware. Early scouting reports liked McGuire's abilities, despite some arm trouble. He advanced as far as High A Level Kinston last season. While there, he posted an 0-3 record with a 5.46 ERA in 9 games, 8 of which were starts. The Indians weren't happy with McGuire's efforts this spring and released him. McGuire caught on with the Sussex Skyhawks of the independent Can-Am League, where he stayed in shape and pitched against other formerly affiliated minor leaguers. As a starter with the Skyhawks, McGuire went 3-4 with a 5.29 ERA in 8 outings. From there, just as all players in those independent leagues hope for, the 24-year-old McGuire got noticed. The Phillies wer...

Lidge Shaky, T-Mac Honored in Trenton

TRENTON, NJ- Brad Lidge made his second rehab appearance for the Double A Reading Phillies on Thursday night and it didn't go as well as the veteran reliever or the team had hoped. Lidge struggled with his command and turned in a rather poor outing for the club that entered the night in a playoff race, 1 game behind division rival Trenton for the Wild Card spot in the Eastern Division. On the disabled list since spring training with a strained right rotator cuff, Lidge experienced an elbow strain when he was working back from that issue in late May. In his outing against the Yankees affiliate in Trenton, Lidge displayed difficulty with his control as he threw three wild pitches, hit two batters, walked another and gave up a single, all while letting up two earned runs on 28 pitches in 2/3 of an inning. After the disappointing performance, Lidge was composed and focused on some positive aspects, having reached 89 and 90 MPH on scouts' radar guns, according to some reports. ...

Harry's Plaque Has Misprint

At the ballpark today for the first time since Harry Kalas was inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame on Friday, I noticed an error in the text on his plaque. Verbage on the plaque reads like this... Voice of Phillies baseball on radio and TV for 39 seasons. Teamed with Richie Ashburn from 1971 until 1997. Harry was on the air for all of Mike Schmidt's 548 home runs, five Phillies no-hitters, seven National League Championship Series, three World Series, the first and final games at Veterans Stadium and the Citizens Bank Park 2004 opener. Received the prestigious Ford C. Frick Award in 2002 for "Major Contributions to Baseball" and was inducted into the broadcasters' wing at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. His calls were legendary, especially his signature home run call, "Outta heeere." On October 29, 2008, he brought utmost joy to Phillies fans: "The 0-2 pitch, swing and miss , struck him out. The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 Worl...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog