After deviating from the college ranks for one pick, the Phillies dipped back into the collegiate pool and selected Florida shortstop Dalton Guthrie in the sixth round.
Guthrie's stash line certainly doesn't jump off the page at you as he hit .262 this year with a .342 OBP, four home runs and ten stolen bases. He's supposedly a great defender for a college shortstop but may lack the arm strength and size to really stick there moving forward. Jonathan Mayo suggested that he may move to second base, while others think his ceiling is a utility infielder that can play anywhere in the field.
Here is a scouting report from Baseball Prospectus:
Here is my report on the newest @Phillies SS Dalton Guthrie from @GatorsBB pic.twitter.com/OKi3n6SqP3
— Steve Givarz (@SteveGivarz) June 13, 2017
Again, not the best. I would personally rather go for a more upside guy in these rounds rather than a guy with the ceiling of being a defensive utility infield kind of guy that doesn't have much pop at all.
However, if he makes plays like this, you might just have to reconsider.
Not 1…Not 2…But 3 unbelievable plays by Florida shortstop Dalton Guthrie pic.twitter.com/V1dF2Z9CLy
— So Damn Talented (@SoDamnTalented) May 3, 2017
To sum it up, Guthrie is a wizard defender that doesn't have the bat or size to be an impact bat at the major league level.
Hopefully he can fill a couple positions in the future.
