2.77 Philadelphia Phillies - Perci Garner, RHP, Ball State

The Phillies spent the 77th overall pick on Perci Garner.

Follow the jump for his pre-draft profile.

Perci Garner   Position: RHP   School: Ball State   State: IN   Year: So.   Height: 6’1’’   Weight: 220

Birth Date: 12/13/88   Seiler Rating: 1B1   Last Drafted: Never

*Redshirted

Perci Garner is a power-armed right-handed starting pitcher from Ball State University. Garner originally attended Dover High School in Dover, Ohio, a small town about 25 miles south of Canton, home to the football hall of fame. He was actually recruited more as a football player than a baseball player, though he ended up not getting any playing time over two years as a quarterback for the Ball State football team. He redshirted his entire 2008 season away as a result of playing football, but he gave up football entering the 2009 season, and even though he was understandably raw, he showed incredible potential. That potential has really shown itself this spring, as he’s installed himself as a starter over the last half of the year, and he’s showing true number two starter potential. His fastball is an easy plus pitch, sitting 92-94, touching 96, and his curveball also rates out as a potential plus pitch, giving him two plus pitches to work with before even getting in to any of his other pitches. His slider is a potential average pitch, as well, and when you add in a fringe-average changeup, he makes for a solid prospect package. His command is still lacking, and that’s his biggest weakness right now, but scouts are all drooling over getting him into their system. He could go as high as the supplemental first round, and he won’t get out of the third round, as he should be signable, even as an eligible sophomore.