Lefty pitcher Ethan Lindow stood out so much among Phillies pitching prospects in 2019 that he was honored with the Paul Owens Award, which is bestowed annually upon the top position player and the top hurler from the organization's minor league affiliates.
Selected in the 5th round of the 2017 draft out of high school in Georgia, Lindow would sign for a reported $500,000 and swiftly began his professional career.
In the Rookie level Gulf Coast League, Lindow started eight contests, posting a 2-2 record with a 4.55 ERA and a .241 batting average against while striking out 34 and walking 12 batters in 27 2/3 innings pitched. He participated that year in the Florida Instructional League as well.
In 2018 Lindow opened the campaign in extended spring training, later having a remarkable campaign with the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters. In 13 starts, the six-foot-three 180-pounder posted a 3-2 record with a 2.19 ERA, a .227 batting average against along with an 8.1 K/9 mark. For his efforts with the 'Cutters, he was honored by Baseball America as a short-season All-Star.
The following year Lindow really made his mark with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. In 23 appearances (13 starts), he collected a 5-2 record with a 2.66 ERA, a .208 batting average against, a 0.98 WHIP and a 9.9 K/9 mark.
By late in the season, the Phillies promoted Lindow to Class A Advanced Clearwater. With the Threshers, he made three starts, going winless with a 1.69 ERA, a .274 batting average against and averaging a strikeout per inning pitched.
Following the cancelled 2020 season, Lindow found himself at the Double-A level where he posted a 0-2 record and an ERA of 6.11 in six games (five starts).
Soon the southpaw was demoted back to the BlueClaws, who, after the minor leagues were reorganized, are now in a Class A Advanced league. In 12 appearances (10 starts), Lindow tallied a 3-6 record with a 3.21 ERA, a .260 batting average against and a 1.13 WHIP.
He's got some intangibles that developmental personnel like to see. Coaches admire Lindow's tendency to stand out as a leader among his peers. He also pitches like a polished, more mature hurler. This is a quality that can be attributed to working with a well-known big leaguer, namely Tom Glavine, whose son was a travel ball teammate of Lindow. The Hall of Famer would mentor Lindow and helped him develop insight on the game he would not have otherwise had.
Described as a serious competitor, Lindow has a terrific feel for the strike zone and attacks the opposition with his arsenal. The 22=3-year-old's repertoire includes a fastball that most often resides in the low-90's, a very good curve ball, a cutter and a top notch change up.
The key quality that has people raving about Lindow and pointing toward him as a guy that could become special is his command. With consistency like his, Lindow's ceiling is as a member of a big league starting rotation.
Lidow should get another chance to master the Double-A level this year and could possibly see some action in big league spring training match ups.
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