Basic Info
Age (Opening Day 2011): 22
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 195 lbs
How Acquired: Cliff Lee trade, 2009
2010 Stats
It’s important to keep in mind that Gillies was pushed up a level, no longer playing in his former hitter’s park and was playing injured until he was finally lost for the year.
It’s also important to point out that no matter how you slice it, those numbers stink.
2010 was pretty much a lost season for Gillies, who never played healthy the entire year. His high BA in 2009 (.341) was in part due to his exceptional speed and ability to get infield hits, something he was unable to do in 2010. Personally, I’m pretending this season never happened and starting him with a blank slate in 2011.
Scouting Report
Since there was so little to go off this year, I’m just going to paste my scouting report from last year:
Gillies is going to get a lot of Shane Victorino comparisons, and rightly so. However, he has 2 things going for him that could actually make him a better player than Victorino. First, he takes walks. Victorino is one of the worst in all of baseball at taking walks and getting on base. Gillies has shown an elite OBP over the last 2 years. Second, he has more power potential. At 6’2”, 190, and still a little room to grow, Gillies will be able to generate more power than the 5’9”, 180 Victorino.
Also like Victorino, he has great range in the outfield and a tremendous arm. Above average baserunner as well. Mariners’ scouts compared his game to Curtis Granderson’s.
The biggest question on his scouting report now is his personal make-up. When we got him, it seems like he was a great kid, hard working and able to overcome his hearing disability to make himself a quality MLB prospect. Now, after his arrest in August for cocaine possession, all that goes out the window. Even though the charges were dropped in October, and Gillies tested negative for having any drugs in his system, it still makes you question his decision making skills and overall character.
What to Look For in 2011
Health would be nice. Some real AA numbers we can analyze. And no coke, please.
In all seriousness, Gillies impressed a lot of people in spring training last year. I expect him to have a soild bounce back year.
Grades (Out of 10)
Upside – 7
I still think Gillies can be an above average CF. I’ve always seen his as a possible replacement for Ibanez or Victorino, and still feel that way, though he’s got a lot more to prove now.
Production – 4
He gets a 1 for last year, but an 8 for 2009.
Proximity to Majors – 5
Tough to say after last season, but he will likely start in AA and if you play well there, your path can be accelerated quickly. It would be great to get him in the discussion in our outfield in 2012 or 2013.
Video
Gillies on 1st base in Reading
For all posts on Phillies’ Prospects, including the rest of the top-20, visit our Top Prospects Page
Of all of our non-pitching prospects, I think that if Gillies comes in completely healthy he will be one to watch and start getting a lot of hype.
Seems like a very Ed Wade-type player too. Maybe we can flip him for Hunter Pence in a trade package. Only half-kidding there.
I think Gillies is our best hope of getting any decent return on the infamous Cliff Lee tra- oh, wait! Cliff is back! I’m still pinching myself. Merry Cliffmas!
I just looked at Michale taylors stats, but I’m wondering how you think he compares to Gillies and D brown?
I have been interested in all of the player movement these past few years (mostly involving the Halladay/Lee trade etc).
My gut tells me that overall the phils have traded more away then theyve gotten in return (although they got Halladay and Drabek/Taylor {and surpisingly D Brown} havent been lighting the world on fire.
Can you touch on your opinion on whether the phils have gotten more than they gave in the mass player movement that’s occured these last few years? I;m sure they’ve gotten more bc of Halladay and Oswalt but Im thinking more the minor leaguers.