Top-20 Phillies Prospects for 2011:
#5 Trevor May, RHP

Basic Info

Age (Opening Day 2011): 21
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 215 lbs
How Acquired: 2008 draft, 4th round

2010 Stats

It was a tale of 2 seasons for May. He started in Clearwater and simply couldn’t find the strike zone (5.01 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 7.8 BB/9). He was sent down to Lakewood and he settled down (2.91 ERA, 1.o9 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9, 12.7 K/9) and was dominant at times.

On the season, May struck out 182 in 135 innings, while only allowing 104 hits. His walks (81) were all that prevented him from being one of the best prospects in baseball.

Scouting Report

May features a big time fastball. It sits around 91-95 and has a lot of movement. Scouts would describe it as a “heavy” pitch.

May’s two other pitches are a curve-ball and change-up. Both of which could eventually be above-average pitches, but right now he struggles with consistency.

Right now, May has two weaknesses. One, is consistency with his delivery. The Phillies are working on simplifying it so he can repeat it. The other is that he sometimes overthrows going for the K.

The good news is both of these areas are fixable and if he fixes them, he has the upside to be a really good MLB starter.

What to Look For in 2011

Control, control, control. It will be interesting to see if they start May up in Clearwater after his struggles there last year. I imagine they will.

If May can reign in his BB/9 rates, I’d expect similar numbers to his Lakewood ones up in Clearwater and some increasing hype surrounding him.

Grades (Out of 10)

Upside – 8

With no plus-plus secondary pitches, he doesn’t have “ace” potential, but his fastball is good enough to get him into #2 starter territory.

Production – 6

Bad in Clearwater, dominant in Lakewood.

Proximity to Majors – 4

Still several stops away, though if he starts in Clearwater and pitches well, he could see Reading by year end.

Video

Great video from Scouting the Sally

For all posts on Phillies’ Prospects, including the rest of the top-20, visit our Top Prospects Page