Future Watch: Phil Bickford Baseball Rookie Cards, Giants – Phil Bickford was a first round selection in the 2015 MLB Draft as the 18th overall pick by the San Francisco Giants. This 6′-4″, right-handed pitcher threw in 10 games in rookie ball. He started them all and in just over 22 innings he struck out an amazing 32 batters. He only yielded six walks and 13 hits. Now that’s the way you to impress your new organization.
Originally picked by the Blue Jays in 2013, also in the first round, he didn’t sign with the team. Instead he played ball at Cal State Fullerton. In 2014 he was voted the Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year and a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American. In 76 innings he struck out 74 batters and accrued a 6-3 record. That certainly got the scouts attention.
Now with the Giants he will get a chance to hone his craft in the minors for a short time before he gets ready to make his MLB debut. Power pitchers who have the kind of control that he has are very hard to find and considered franchise players.
Bickford’s first MLB licensed autographed baseball card debuted with the release of 2015 Bowman Draft Baseball, card number BCA-PB.
Hearing the thud of the ball going into the catcher’s glove is the key to this video and his future success:
According to his MLB.com draft profile:
“Bickford generates differences of opinion as to whether he’ll be a starter or reliever because his stuff fluctuates. His fastball often hit 96 mph in 2013, parked at 88-92 at Fullerton, touched 98 in the Cape League and sat in the low 90s with sink in junior college. His slider showed signs of becoming a plus pitch on the Cape but lacks consistency.” ETA 2018
This prospect has big-time potential.
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