Indians Top 100 Prospects: #26 Cord Phelps

26. Cord Phelps - Second Baseman
Born: 01/23/1987 - Height: 6'2" - Weight: 200 - Bats: Switch - Throws: Right

Year	Age	Team	Lvl	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2008	21	Stanford U	C	63	259	76	91	16	3	13	58	41	38	6	.351	.445	.587	1.032
2008	21	GCL Indians	R	1	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
2008	21	Mahoning Vy	A-	35	141	24	44	10	2	2	21	15	22	4	.312	.376	.454	.830

History: Phelps was a 3^rd round pick in the 2008 Draft out of Stanford University. His professional debut was slowed by a sprained ankle he suffered prior to the College World Series, so he spent a few weeks in Winter Haven rehabbing the injury before moving on to short-season Single-A Mahoning Valley where he excelled.

Strengths & Opportunities: Phelps is the most complete player the Indians obtained in the 2008 Draft, and has an ability to impact the game in several different areas. He is a good base-runner, a great defender, and has a very polished approach at the plate. He handles himself really well at the plate and has a good gameplan, which was showcased by his 41-38 strikeout to walk ratio last year in college. He puts the ball in play and pounds the gaps, and has the potential to drive the ball more as he is still adding power. Prior to his junior season at Stanford, Phelps did not hit a home run in 278 at bats, but last year he ended up with 13 home runs in 259 at bats due to a spike in his strength and physical growth. Because he is a switch-hitter and has shown a good, patient approach at the plate he profiles as a #2 hitter and potentially could be a leadoff hitter. He is an above average runner.

While Phelps is firmly planted at second base, he does have experience at other infield positions which can create some versatility for him down the road to help him break into the big leagues. In addition to second base, Phelps also played third base and shortstop in college. Some scouts feel that he will eventually move to third base at some point, but given the lack of second baseman in the system the Indians will give him every opportunity to stay at second. He does a pretty good job at second base, moves around well, gets good reads on the ball and turns a good double play. He is just a very sound defender.

Coming out of an incredible program in Stanford he is a very mature, hardnosed professional baseball player. He also has excellent instincts as a baseball player on the field and on the bases. Phelps is still in the process of developing a routine and refining his approach at the plate. Also, while he is a patient hitter who often looks for a good pitch to hit, he is working on being a little more aggressive with his approach at the plate and to know what to expect in certain situations.

Outlook: This was an excellent pick by the Indians to fill an organizational weakness, and they may have finally found a solution at second base in the system. For years now second base has largely been the weakest position in their farm system, but that appears to be changing with the addition of Phelps to the mix. He has a pretty clear path to the big leagues, and because of his advanced bat and abilities, barring injury he will likely move fast through the system and has the potential to be an above average major league second baseman. He could be the first position player from the 2008 Draft to make it to the majors. Phelps likely will skip Single-A Lake County and open the 2009 season as the starting second baseman at advanced Single-A Kinston.

Photo courtesy of Ken Carr

Cord Phelps MinorLeagueBaseball.com stats page

Cord Phelps Baseball-Reference page

Cord Phelps MinorLeagueSplits.com page

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