Phillies nab two minor league hurlers in return for Rollins
At long last, it was announced on Thursday what the Phillies would obtain in return for franchise all-time hits leader Jimmy Rollins. Righty pitcher Zach Eflin and lefty Tom Windle are the players headed east.
On Wednesday, news leaked that the Phillies and Dodgers agreed on a deal for the three-time All-Star and 2007 National League most valuable player, Rollins, but it wasn’t know what the Phils would get in the swap for close to 24 hours.
The 20-year-old Eflin was the Padres’ first round draft choice (33rd overall) in 2012 and had just been acquired from San Diego in the deal for Matt Kemp. With Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore this year, Eflin, who stands six-foot-four and weighs 200 pounds, tallied a 10-7 record along with a 3.80 ERA and a 6.5 K/9 mark in 24 starts.
Scouts like Eflin’s excellent change up and his fastball sits in the low 90’s with potential to increase. His pitch menu also includes a slider.
Windle, a six-foot-four 215-pounder, was the Dodgers’ 2nd round draft choice in 2013. In 26 games (25 starts) with Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamonga last season, the 22-year-old University of Minnesota product posted a 12-8 record with a 4.26 ERA and a 7.2 K/9 mark.
His fastball velocity can reach the mid-90’s. Windle’s repertoire also features a solid slider and a change up that is said to need improvement.
It’s likely that both of these pitchers will make their way into Phillies Nation’s top prospect rankings that begin their annual countdown roughly four weeks from now.
