ESPN: Clearwater’s Baily Falter a ‘Breakout’ Prospect for Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are just three games behind the Braves in the N.L. East and the current second wild card team in the National League race.

With young talent all over the field that currently fills the Phillies current roster, they are hoping that a run of great seasons is about to begin.

The team has been connected to big name free agents like Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, and in the trade game with guys like Brad Hand and Cole Hamels.

But down on the farm, there could be more help.

High-A Clearwater Threshers pitcher catcher Bailey Falter is one of the Phillies prospects that has caught the eye of talent evaluators this season. And according to ESPN’s Eric Longenhagen, Falter is the club’s breakout minor leaguer so far this year.

The Phillies have several pitchers in the midst of breakout seasons, but Falter is striking out a batter per inning at high-A despite mediocre fastball velocity and average secondary stuff, in part because his huge stride down the mound causes his stuff to jump on hitters sooner than they expect. This natural deception doesn't detract from Falter's command and helps otherwise fringe stuff play up to a level that could work in the back end of a big league rotation. His ceiling is limited, but Falter has big league traits.

Drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Phillies out of Chino Hills, California. The 6-foot-4, 175-pounder has begun to get some notice, now in his fourth professional season, with a 5-3 record and 3.32 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 11 games.