I am glad that I recorded the 2010 AFLAC All-American on my DVR last August.  Little did I know, the Mets 15 round draft pick, Phillip Evans started at shortstop for the West team and hit lead-off in the game. I recently watched the game again, solely focusing on Evans, and came away impressed with Evans. Here are some of my thoughts on Evans from the game:

• Smallish frame, but there is room to add bulk.
• Very athletic defensively with smooth clean actions; arm is average for a ML SS; may need to move to 2nd base down the road due to lack of arm strength.
• Good hands with very good feet. A natural middle infielder.
• Advanced approach at the plate. Very quiet and disciplined hitter. Did not chase out of the zone (walked twice)
• Short compact swing. Uses the whole field well. Line drive hitter.
• Average raw power at best.
• An average runner (4.3 sec. home to first-base)
• Instinctive ball player. Plays the game hard and with a confident but not cocky attitude. Tough as nails.

Overall Evans fared quite well against the nation’s top high school talent. Evans singled up the middle in his first at-bat, then smoked a line drive to RF in his third at-bat. He also mixed in two walks during the contest. He showed athleticism in the field and natural instincts. He opened the game at shortstop then was moved to second base to give other teammates a crack at showing their respective talents at short.

Evans handled himself like a professional during the game with composure, confidence, and competitiveness. He was not overwhelmed by the moment at all. I really enjoy watching a kid who knows how to play the game the right way all while not bringing attention to himself with other antics.

His tools are not overwhelming, but are good enough to see an eventual big leaguer. His strengths are in him not having an overall glaring weakness. Average tools across the board are not anything to sneeze at, and taking him in the 15th round, the Mets did not risk much. Evans was mentioned being a potential supplemental round draft pick or even into the tail end of the first round.

His overall skill set does not scream an all-star level major leaguer, but if everything goes well for him, Evans has a chance of being an above average big league middle infielder that will hit for high annual averages. I do eventually see Evans becoming a long-term second baseman, but he will start at shortstop as a professional. His arm strength is what will keep him from becoming an every day big league shortstop.

His instincts and the way he competes are the things I like most of all about Evans. This kid is a ball player that could make teammates around him better by the way he plays the game. He would be a great addition to the Mets organization.

 
Here is a video of Evans’ line-drive single to right field during the game: