Well, the Phillies haven't announced anything official just yet, but Jimmy Rollins to the Dodgers is all but a done deal. It looked like two pitchers were coming back to the Phillies in the deal and it seems like the holdup was the Dodgers trade with the Padres involving Matt Kemp. Sources tell CSNPhilly.com's Jim Salisbury that the two prospects the Phillies will receive are…
According to industry sources, Phillies will end up with pitchers Zach Eflin, as others have suggested, and lefty Tom Windle for Rollins
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN) December 11, 2014
Eflin, who will come to the Phillies after being acquired by the Dodgers in the Matt Kemp deal, spent all of 2014 with the Padres Advanced-A affiliate, the Lake Elsinore Storm. In 128 innings of work, the 20-year-old right-hander posted a 10-7 record with a 3.80 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. In 2013 in Low-A, he posted a 2.73 ERA over 118.2 innings, stiking out 86 batters while walking 31. Eflin, ranked #10 in the Padres system by MLB.com, has a fastball in the low 90's to go along with a changeup, which is likely his best pitch, and a breaking ball that acts as a servicable third pitch. MLB.com's scouting report projects him develpoing into a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter.
The other player coming to Philadelphia is the #7 ranked prospect in the Dodgers system, LHP Tom Windle. Drafted in the second round of the 2013 draft by LA, Windle spent the entire 2014 season with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, Advaned-A Dodgers affiliate. In 26 games, 25 of them starts, Windle went 12-8 with a 4.26 ERA a year after posting a 2.68 ERA at the Low-A level. MLB.com's scouting report on Windle has him developing into a possible top of the rotation arm if he improves his command and changeup. Otherwise, he could end up as an effective closer. He has a nice arsenal of picthes to choose from, including a nasty slider.
Windle's best pitch is his nasty slider, which reaches the mid 80s. He can drop it in on the hands of left-handers or on the back foot of right-handers. After working at 90 mph to 94 mph with his fastball during his junior season with the Gophers, Windle pitched more at 88 mph to 92 mph in his pro debut. Lengthening his stride during instructional league helped him reclaim that lost velocity.
For one year of Rollins, Ruben Amaro and the Phillies netted themselves a good return in two top-10 prospects. If you're interested in when the Dodgers come to Citizens Bank Park for the first time next season, mark your calendars! Rollins will make his return in Dodger blue on August 4th, 2015.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
