2013 MLB Draft Profile: Phillip Ervin, OF, Samford

Phil Ervin - OF - Harwich Mariners (06-27-12 at Yarmouth-Dennis) (via alskor)

Philip Ervin, OF, Samford
College Junior
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
HT/WT: 5'11"/190
Birthdate: 7/17/92 Age at Draft: 21.02

At 5'11, 190, Ervin is stocky but he isn't a thick slow guy like one could expect from that build. He is an athlete. He can run and has a chance to stick in center field. I don't really expect him to, but there is a chance. I see him as a corner outfielder down the line. He has an above average arm, good enough to hold down right field. He could be well above average there defensively.

Ervin's has ridiculous bat speed. He whips the bat through the zone creating plus power. He could be an average or above hitter as well but he hasn't shown the consistency you would want in a top of the draft player. This spring will help solidify if what he did on the cape last summer hitting .323 with 11 homers was for real.

Ervin is hard to peg for me. He hasn't dominated at Samford but did well with wood last summer. He is far from projectable and kind of is-what-he-is. He may even regress from what he is right now due to his build. Right now he projects as a 20-20 guy with good defense in CF. Projecting him slowing down and adding a few more pounds, he could be a power hitting right fielder with average defense and an average bat with a handful of stolen bases. That's not quite as impressive, especially if there is a steep learning curve to getting to that point since he hasn't faced tough competition.

Someone excited by what he did with wood in the past may take a shot on him in the first round, especially if he does well this spring. If not, I'm not sure where he goes. He could be this year's Adam Brett Walker who slid to the 3rd round after looking like he could be a 1st round bat.