It’s been one hell of a season for one Philadelphia Phillies prospect.
Drafted in the third round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, 23-year-old righty Connor Seabold is already surpassing the organization’s expectations. The Phillies prospect is currently ranked #30 in Phillies prospects on the 2019 MLB Prospect Watch report.
The 23-year-old pitcher played with four different Phillies affiliates in 2019, appearing in 12 games total. He was limited to 12 games due to a lingering injury that kept him out until July. In those 12 games, he compiled a record of 4-2 and posted a remarkable 2.24 ERA and 58 strikeouts. He is currently assigned to the Double-A Philadelphia Phillies affiliate.
Call to the Pen had an opportunity to interview Seabold back in October.
Seabold on the Arizona Fall League
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Connor Seabold had an opportunity to compete in the Arizona Fall League, where he continued to show off impressive pitching. In his first 12 AFL innings, he struck out 42% of batters he faced.
In an October 29th AFL game, Seabold showcased his impressive skills – he gave up just two hits and threw 54 of his 80 pitches for strikes. He’s also had 22 strikeouts in 17 innings.
Seabold spoke highly of the Arizona Fall League, saying “The AFL was awesome. Getting to play against competition of that level with guys like Bohm and Maton makes you kind of feel like you’re close to making it”, Seabold said of the experience he had in the AFL. Alec Bohm is the Phillies #1 prospect, and is projected to make his MLB debut in 2020, while Nick Maton is ranked 14th.
Playing with Bohm, Seabold says, that he is the real deal. And there is no doubt about that one.
He continued, “It makes you feel like you’re close to making it. You’re up against some of the best that the minors has to offer day in and day out.”. Seabold thinks that his astonishing work in the AFL will “leave a good impression going into next season:”, and there is no doubt about that. He also calls for the Phillies management to give him more opportunities so he can continue to help out any way that he can.
Aside from playing in the Arizona Fall League, Seabold has some pretty other amazing accomplishments. Back in 2018, he was named the pitcher of the week when he was assigned to Clearwater, the Phillies Single-A affiliate and it’s safe to say that he deserved it.
The California native also had words for Philadelphia Phillies fans and advice to young fans that want to pursue a career in professional baseball. Speaking of Philly fans, “definitely passionate. Haven’t met many Phillies fans that aren’t die hard.”
In response to being asked for advice he’d give to young players, he simply says “never be satisfied”.
Seabold is projected to make his MLB debut by 2024.