Posted by Jay Floyd, Thu, February 16, 2012 12:00 PM | Comments: 1
2012 Top 25 Prospects, Blog, Minor Leagues, Posts, Prospecting, R-Phils
Growing up in British Columbia, Gillies played both hockey and baseball. However, in his teenage years, Gillies felt that it was best to choose one sport to focus on and, as determined by his size at the time, he selected baseball. As he progressed as a player, his love and passion for that great game developed along with his talents and he has never looked back.
A 25th round draft selection of the Mariners in the 2006 amateur draft, Gillies began his professional career the following year, as a member of the Arizona League Mariners and later with Everett of the Class A Northwest League. Combined at the two levels, Gillies posted a .255 batting average with 11 steals and a .688 OPS in 39 games.
In 2008 Gillies continued to show improvement, spending time with Everett before earning a promotion to Class A Advanced High Desert. In 72 combined games that season, Gillies’ production shot upward as he batted .302 with 25 steals and an .831 OPS in 72 games.
During a return campaign with High Desert, in 2009, Gillies became a highly regarded prospect, as his offensive output excelled even more. Gillies posted a .341 batting average, good enough for third highest in the minors, with 44 steals and a .916 OPS in 124 games.
Since the trade that brought Gillies to Philadelphia along with J.C. Ramirez and Phillippe Aumont, the Iowa Western Community College product has seemed fragile. Recurring hamstring issues and a nagging foot injury have kept Gillies out of action. The 23-year-old grew healthy as the 2011 regular season came to a close, but the Phillies did not wish to rush Gillies back to action too soon, as that had contributed to the repeat ailments in the past, so he continued to rest and rehab.
Gillies was assigned to the Arizona Fall League this off-season, where he struggled considerably at the plate (.178/.302/.233 line in 27 games), but considering the main goal was for him to play a month of healthy baseball and not necessarily mash opposing pitchers, his time there was considered a huge success.
Following AFL play, Gillies spent much of his off-season working out at the Phillies’ spring training facilities in Clearwater, FL. After months of hitting, fielding, running and weight training, Gillies has maintained full health and now looks forward to a 2012 with no physical setbacks.
A ground ball/line drive hitter that is known for using his speed to get on base, Gillies is also pretty well known for his hearing impairment. Diagnosed at an early age with significant hearing problems, the 6-foot-2-inch 195-pounder grew up using hearing aids and has become accustomed to playing baseball with a slight disadvantage. Despite what many consider a disability in a game where the crack of the bat could help a fielder judge the distance of a ball in flight, Gillies says for him, it’s just natural and has no trouble tracking on defense.
Defensively, Gillies’ range was always a key to his game, but that will remain dependent on his health and speed to return on a lengthy basis. Primarily, Gillies has been a center fielder, however he has played all three outfield positions in his professional career. He has also displayed a strong throwing arm and an ability to gun down frisky runners.
Having been compared to All-Stars like Curtis Granderson and Shane Victorino in previous years, Gillies has a tall task ahead, if he is to reach that status. With projection to reach the majors as an attainable goal, Gillies must avoid injuries and continue to grow on the field. Expect the lefty hitting youngster to begin the season with Double-A Reading, where he’ll get another shot at showing he can be an everyday player.
______________________________________________
Image- Joe Wombough
The 2012 prospect countdown index can be found HERE.
Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider. You can read more from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.
1 Comments View Comments: Newest FirstOldest First Expand AllExpand NewestPosts: 4 Tyler Wilson
I would have to say that I don’t see him making it to the next level. The talent is there, but if he continues getting injured year after year he may never grow to his true potential. The guy has the size and speed that would fit the majors, but every time he starts getting on a roll the injury bug comes around and gets him. All I can say is good luck to him, and I hope he proves me wrong.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 04:43 PM on February 16, 2012 Leave a Comment>> Create a new Phillies Nation account. >> Already registered with Phillies Nation? Log in here. >> Comment without logging in:
Name (required)
Email (will not be published) (required)
Leave a comment below
Please ensure your comments comply with our Comment Policy. .load-hide{display:none} NetworkPostsActivity Login to your Phillies Nation account to comment and access your Network dashboard.
Username:
Password:
Don't have an account? Create a new one here >>
Stark on 97.3 ESPN: Utley's Health, Blanton, NL EastThe 2012 Non-Roster Invites: Position PlayersPhillies Prospects Biddle & Schwimer Ready for SpringPhillies Tickets Remain a Hot Commodity Update: Soler on Phillies, Yankees RadarThe 2012 Non-Roster Invites: PitchersAmaro on XM/Sirius: No Deadline for Hamels
betasigmadeltashag commented on the blog post Phillies Tickets Remain a Hot Commodity 50 minutes ago · View
Got my Sunday package tickets about a week ago waiting on my opening day and other random tickets to come this week it must be close GO PHILLIES
betasigmadeltashag commented on the blog post Stark on 97.3 ESPN: Utley’s Health, Blanton, NL East 54 minutes ago · View
I know a few of you on Philliesnation live by these guys talking, but I never really got Stark, baseball insider and all, I take whatever he says with a grain of salt. I have not listen to it yet cause I am at work and have not vol. But is it a shock that [...]
inexpensivedres commented on the blog post Stark on 97.3 ESPN: Utley’s Health, Blanton, NL East 3 hours, 31 minutes ago · View
ugg boots online UGG Classic Cardy Buy Genuine UGG Boots UGG Sale Cheap Bailey Button UGG .On the additional hand, if you happen to unable to obtain an acceptable property to exchange, you is not able to protect yourself from the tax bill.Still, you are obligated to repay the taxation only at that moment when anyone finally sell the fresh [...]
inexpensivedres commented on the blog post 2011 Phillies Nation Player Reviews 3 hours, 32 minutes ago · View
Louis Vuitton HandbagsReplica LV HandbagsLouis Vuitton OutletLV Bags StoreLV Outlet OnlineLouis Vuitton Handbags 2010 Sale Buy LV Handbags 2010Louis Vuitton LuggageLouis Vuitton Classic MonogramLouis Vuitton Classic Monogram
inexpensivedres commented on the blog post IronPigs Fall in Finals, New Life For Six 3 hours, 32 minutes ago · View
ugguggsugg bootsugg boots onlineugg boots outletwomens ugg boots outletUGG Nightfall Boots uggs boots cheapugg broome boots cheapugg highkoo boots on sale
Shop Fan Gear Unlimited for all your Phillies Gear on sale. Check out great deals on stadium seats with backs and great coupons at the Sports Unlimited Facebook page.
2012 Phillies SalariesCharlie Manuel
$3 million
Cliff Lee
$21.5 million
Ryan Howard
$20 million
Roy Halladay
$20 million
Chase Utley
$15 million
Jonathan Papelbon
$11 million
Jimmy Rollins
$11 million
Cole Hamels
$9.5 million
Shane Victorino
$9.5 million
Joe Blanton
$8.5 million
Hunter Pence
$6.9 million
Placido Polanco
$6.25 million
Ty Wigginton
$4 million
Carlos Ruiz
$3.7 million
Jose Contreras
$2.5 million
Kyle Kendrick
$2.45 million
Jim Thome
$1.25 million
Laynce Nix
$1.15 million
Dontrelle Willis
$850,000
Brian Schneider
$800,000
John Mayberry
$414,000
Vance Worley
$405,000
Antonio Bastardo
$405,000
Alliance Tickets Alliance Tickets is your source watching your favorite team live and all your MLB Tickets. We carry a huge selection of cheap Philadelphia Phillies Tickets, Rockies Tickets, Seattle Mariners Tickets, and San Francisco Giants Tickets. Phillies Rumors & News > The Nation on FlickrNot Affiliated with Major League Baseball or the Philadelphia PhilliesPrivacy Policy | Contact Us
Switch to our mobile site Phillies NationLog InSign Up VisitRandom Member
View the Original article
No comments:
Post a Comment