There has been a lot of focus on first-round pick, Aaron Nola. In the second round of this year's draft, the Phillies selected another pitcher, left-hander Matt Imhof. Imhof, known for his deceptive delivery, went 10-4 with a 2.45 ERA over 15 starts this past season with Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo.
Obviously, Imhof is not on the fast track to the majors like first rounder, Aaron Nola, but Phillies assistant general manager of amateur scouting, Marti Wolever, stated that it doesn't mean he won't move through the system quickly. (via Phillies.com)
"We've seen a lot of him. From USA team last summer and again this spring. And certainly a rotation guy we think. We think middle to the back of the rotation."
"He's got a chance to go through [the farm system] a little quicker," Wolever said. "Not as quickly as [first-round pick Aaron] Nola, but he throws strikes and he commands the strike zone so that certainly works to his advantage."
In 99 1/3 innings last season at Cal Poly, Imhof struck out 124, which was good for sixth best in Division I. He held opposing teams to a mere .195 average against. In 2013, he earned All-Big West honorable mention after going 7-3, posting 95 strikeouts.
Imhof's Phillies career began with the GCL Phils, where he tossed three innings in one game, gave up two hits and struck out two. Quickly after his first outing, Imhof was promoted to Short-Season Williamsport, where he started three games for the Crosscutters. Over 12 innings of work, he gave up just one run on six hits, striking out 11 and walking four. He held opponents to a .154 average against while in Williamsport.
His performance over those three games were good enough to earn a promotion to Class 'A' Lakewood, where he has hit somewhat of a rough patch in the early stages of his career. Imhof, 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA in Lakewood, has started three games for the Blueclaws, spanning 13 innings. He has given up six runs total off of 15 hits. Imhof's most recent outing was this past Sunday, August 3rd, when he took the hill against Asheville, the Class 'A' Rockies affiliate. Imhof tossed five innings and gave up three runs and set down seven hitters via the strikeout, where he succeded most in his college career.
On July 14th, Imhof was named New-York Penn League Pitcher of the Week after throwing nine shutout innings for the Crosscutters over two games, striking out eight and walking just two.
While Imhof has already seen time with three Phillies farm teams, look for him to stay put at Lakewood for the rest of the year and begin in Clearwater in 2015.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
