Top-10 Profiles of 2019: No. 4 Q Phillips
December 30, 2019
As 2019 rolled on, Brookfield East’s Q Phillips continued to look more and more comfortable at the plate and by the time the late summer and fall rolled around, Phillips looked like one of the best 2021 prospects in the Midwest.
Phillips has long been on the radar for his natural athleticism that has helped him play at an above-average level in center field, especially for his age. He’s a graceful defender that glides from gap to gap and takes instinctive routes to fly balls with confidence.
He’s gifted enough to take similarly smart swings from both sides of the batter’s box, but his cut from the left side often leverages a little more pop off the bat. At a tournament at The Rock in mid-July, Phillips launched a no-doubt home run to straightaway center field and he was an integral reason his STiKS Black 16U squad won that tourney later in the weekend. His overall approach at the plate has gotten better in the year, too. He slumped to end his sophomore season at the varsity level for his high school, but simplified his approach and shortened his path to the ball in our looks later in the summer and fall, which clearly helped him generate more contact.
Additionally, he announced his commitment to Michigan in the summer and he’s up to No. 4 overall on the state’s Class of 2021 Rankings. He’s a high-level recruit who could make even more noise in 2020.
NO. 4: Q PHILLIPS
Scouting Report
+ OF Q Phillips (Brookfield HS, WI), a Michigan recruit, collected multiple hits, opening up the tournament for Midwest Prospects Cincinnati. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound left-handed hitter sits in a balanced stance with an easy, fluid load that allows his quick hands to effortlessly work the barrel flat through the zone. His coverage of the plate allows for firm line drives to all field, and he has impressive lag of the barrel in the zone. A confident hitter with a mature approach, Phillips took quality at-bats all evening, and looks the part of a top of the order hitter who may have a chance to stick in centerfield moving forward.
5-foot-10, 170-pound lean/strong, athletic frame. One of the top bats in the Wisconsin 2021 class had a strong showing at the plate all tournament long and was a strong candidate to be named the offensive MVP. Phillips led an impressive offensive attack by STiKS Black in their 11-7 victory over Illinois Indians on Friday. The freshly committed Michigan recruit went 1-for-2 at the plate with three RBIs, two of which came on a deep homer to center. That mammoth home run to straight away center field came with a wooden bat, too. Phillips is one of the top-ranked players in the state's 2021 class and is a high-follow as he prepares to enter his junior season at Brookfield East. He finished the tournament going a combined 7-for-16 with two doubles, a triple, and a home run, all while covering a ton of ground as the team’s primary center fielder.
Strong, well-proportioned frame. Switch hitting outfielder. Balanced setup, smooth load, leg lift, long stride with a toe-tap. Quick hands, fluid swing, rhythm through contact. Defensively, impressed in center field with his route running and ability to track down the baseball, quick first step, reads the ball well off the bat. Went 1-for-2 with a sacrifice fly for STiKS Black 16U on Friday morning as their two hitter.
5-foot-10, 170-pound switch-hitting outfield prospect with lean/strong, athletic frame; added strength over the offseason. Ran a 6.94 in the 60-yard dash. Offensively, true switch-hit type, similar from both sides, tall/open setup, smooth back, leg hang trigger, short stride, balanced throughout. Fast bat, athletic hands, barrel awareness, short path, gap-to-gap contact; topped 91 mph exit velo from the tee. Defensively, center field profile, glides to the ball with athleticism, clean exchanges, works through the ball. Arm action is long, high ¾ slot, accurate to home, topped 85 mph on throws. High-follow 2021.
Sets table well from lead-off spot, rarely chases pitches, works count, seems to be on base almost every at bat, has above avg. speed, quality base runner, and squares baseball with line drive approach.
5-foot-10, 160-pound switch-hitting outfielder. Showed similar abilities from both sides of the plate, balanced and compact approach that can spray line drives. Easy bat speed, short level path, barrel aware. 83 mph exit velocity from the right side, 84 mph exit velocity from the left side. Defensively moves easy in the outfield, glides with above average actions. Showed above average routes in game. Arm played long from a high ¾ slot, accurate to target, 79 mph from the outfield. 4.29 runner down the line.
5-foot-10, 160-pound, athletically-built outfielder, listed as a switch-hitter but only hit left-handed in game. Offensively, calm demeanor in the box, open setup, barrel starts in a slightly wrap position, hands load back. Aggressive approach, athletic actions, present bat speed. Defensively, tracks the ball and covers ground well in the outfield.
5-foot-5, 120-pound, athletic outfielder. Offensively, left-handed, open setup, leg lift timing-trigger, fluid rhythm, maintains balance. Presence in the box, line-drive hitter, short barrel path, 71 mph exit velocity off a tee. Defensively, long arm action, over-the-top slot, accurate, 67 mph from the outfield. Plays through the ball with soft hands. Ran a 7.80 laser-timed 60.