Skip to main content

Prospect Nation 2016: #25 LHP Matt Imhof

Matt Imhof, image- Jay Floyd
Lefty hurler Matt Imhof quickly shot toward the rankings of Phillies top prospects after being selected as their 2nd round pick in 2014.  Following a season in which he suffered an injury to his throwing arm, Imhof's position on such lists has taken a hit.

Regarded as a polished college hurler, the Cal Poly product looked tremendous in his junior season, posting a 10-4 record with a 2.45 ERA and an 11.24 K/9 mark in 15 starts while earning second team All-American honors and leading to him being drafted 47th overall. He wrapped up his college career with an 18-7 record and a 2.68 ERA in 48 games.

After the draft, Imhof quickly signed his first pro deal and proceeded to pitch at three levels of the developmental ranks in 2014. Following his initial outing in which he tossed three scoreless frames for the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies, Imhof was promoted to short-season A level Williamsport. As a member of the Crosscutters, he posted a 1-0 record while allowing just one earned run in 12 innings (0.75 ERA).

In mid-July that year, the six-foot-five 220-pounder earned another promotion to Class A Lakewood, where he tallied a 0-2 record with a 4.28 ERA in seven starts.

Overall in 11 minor league appearances in his initial turn as a pro, the California native posted a .260 batting average against along with an 8.5 K/9 mark as well as a 2.3 BB/9 mark.


After moving up a level to begin his 2015 campaign with Class A Advanced Clearwater, Imhof missed two months in his first full pro season, dealing with a bicep strain.

In 18 starts for the Threshers, Imhof sported an 8-5 record with a 3.94 ERA and a .248 BAA.  He struck out 59 and walked 39 in 77 2/3 innings for the Threshers.

The 22-year-old's pitch repertoire includes a fastball along with slider-curve hybrid that has sharp break and helps him fool batters along with a developing change up. The change up was something Imhof began using increasingly after the draft and will become a true weapon as he refines it.  His fastball velocity seemed to take a dip following the injury last year, sitting in the upper-80's quite often.  Historically, he had regularly clocked at 92 MPH and reached 94 from time to time.

Additionally, the California native has a good feel on the mound and his control is a noteworthy aspect of his skill set.  His wind up features some nice concealment of the ball resulting in difficulty for batters in picking up his offerings.

The big-framed Imhof was projected to have plus potential on his velocity, prior to last season's throwing arm issue.  It was expected that his body would fill out more, adding strength, and could then reach the mid-90's with more regularly.

Imhof, who grew up idolizing Randy Johnson, should figure in the rotation battle at the Double-A level for Reading this year.

Follow this year's full prospect countdown by clicking this link.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Eric B Needs to be Cut (and My Name is Rakim)

While the Phillies are on a hot streak this month, one player on the team is not. Eric Bruntlett is 1-for-12 in July. Since the start of May, Bruntlett's apex in batting average has been .167 on June 14th. Bruntlett's ineptitude can be tolerated no longer. Get rid of this guy NOW! Eric B. is the 2009 Endy Chavez. Remember Endy...the guy who in 2005 managed just 2 hits in his final 42 games played as a Phillie? That is about the sort of output the Phillies are getting from Bruntlett, and it's time to fix this void. Julio Lugo was designated for assignment last week by the Red Sox and is expected to become a free agent. The Metropolitans are rumored to be interested. Why wouldn't the Phillies be interested in a guy who could surely outhit Bruntlett? Lugo was hitting .284 through 37 games played this season with Boston. Suspended Lehigh Valley IronPig Pablo Ozuna is eligible to return next Wednesday. Ozuna is batting .294 through 51 games at triple A. Miguel Cairo is also...

Yankees Fans Misled By Pepsi Promotion

**** Today, New York Yankees fans attended a Pepsi promotion in Times Square hoping for chances to win opening day tickets to the new stadium, but the tickets, which were difficult to track down due to poor organization on Pepsi's part, were actually for a game in June. Furthermore, the 250 pairs that were promised were actually only 100 pairs. The fans, who were made to sprint through traffic over multiple city blocks when locations for the promotion changed, quickly turned against the soda brand by pooring out their beverages and chanting anti-Pepsi phrases. Yankees fans are even threatening a boycott of Pepsi. An appearance by Yankee great Goose Gossage could not even settle the angry mob, as he had to be whisked away, as a precaution, according to the Daily News . Ooo , I'd hate to see what "the worst fans in sports" (Philadelphia fans) would have done to their free Pepsi cans and beloved reliever in that situation. Because this happened in a non-Philly city, th...

5th spot, Wall, Old timers, Links

The race for the Phillies' fifth starter spot is still on. While it's not fully fair to compare Grapefruit League stats, when some of the pitchers have had "B game" and scrimmage outings mixed in, Kyle Kendrick and Carlos Carrasco look to be falling behind Chan Ho Park and "Jay" Happ. Happ added to his solid Grapefruit League stats (2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP in 4 games) today against the Rays. Pitching coach Rich Dubee had been displeased with Kendrick even before he surrendered 8 earned runs in 3 innings of work yesterday against the Braves. Park has been working on improving his change up, with (Coach) Jamie Moyer. Park noticed Moyer's location control on his change, so he sought out Moyer to teach him the grip and positioning of the ball. Moyer, of course, feels good about helping anyone on the Phils' staff. Park has been coached by greats like Nolan Ryan with the Rangers and Sandy Koufax with the Dodgers, so Moyer is in great company. Park is working h...