Phillip Evans won the batting title on the final day of the Eastern League season in 2016 with a 4 for 6 game that capped an incredible breakout year.
The 24-year old had a career season in 2016 hitting .335/.374/.485 in 96 games for the Double-A Binghamton Mets. He also set career highs in doubles (30), home runs (8), runs scored (53), RBI (41) and OPS (.826).
The right-handed hitting infielder played shortstop (39 games), second base (34) and third base (27) during the past season. The Mets drafted him as a shortstop in the 15th round of the 2011 out of high school.
Evans went to the Puerto Rican Winter League to continue working on his game and did the same thing he did during the regular season with the bat. In 19 winter ball games, Evans hit .311/.386/.446 and walked seven times compared to eight strikeouts.
MMN – Thanks for taking timing to answer my questions and congrats on a great season including the batting title. Let’s start with winter ball since you’re playing right now. How did it come about to play for the Criollos de Caguas? And what was your motivation for doing so?
Phillip – Thank you I appreciate that, it was a very fun season. I actually got the job talking to Joey Cora near the end of our season while he was managing for the Altoona Curve. I asked him if he had any connections with winter ball and he gave his brother Alex Cora a call and asked if they had a spot for me. He called me the next morning and asked if I wanted to play. I was excited to get my foot in the door in winter ball and get some more at bats and stay in baseball shape so I will be ready to go once spring training comes around.
MMN – What is it like playing in Puerto Rico? What level would you say the competition is?
Phillip – It’s a great league, a lot of high level minor league and a few major league guys come down here too stay in shape. I don’t think I can compare it to any exact level but the competition is very tough, great pitchers, great hitters and the intensity of every game is off the charts. It has Playoff atmosphere every game.
MMN – What have you learned from the experience and the coaching staff so far?
Phillip – Being able to play in a must win atmosphere, and adjusting to the different ways of thinking and approach of the game. Pitching, defense, pace of play, situations etc.
MMN – You had struggled in your minor league career before 2016, what changed for you that made this year so successful?
Phillip – Every player is always developing in this game in some way, mentally or physically. Eventually something just clicks, I don’t think anyone can explain what that “something” is or put a time,date,or place of when that will be, but it clicked for me this year. It just happened to be later in my career.
MMN – What did it feel like to have that breakout year personally?
Phillip – It was an incredible feeling! Playing hard every single game is what I do, Defensively and offensively. It was very rewarding seeing the production that came out of all the ups and downs through the years.
MMN – When did you know you had a chance at the batting title?
Phillip – I’m not exactly sure when I found out I had a chance at it. I just wanted to continue to build off the strong season that I was having, help the team win some more ball games and have some fun.
MMN – You played all over the infield this year, is there a position your more comfortable at and how many gloves do you bring with you?
Phillip – I have been a short stop my entire life, so that’s the most natural. All the other positions have been an easier transition because of that. I bring 3 gloves with me wherever I go.
MMN – Can you talk a little bit about how it is as an infielder to have a defensive whiz at first like Dominic Smith?
Phillip – It’s absolutely amazing! I’m pretty sure the entire infield owes him a few steak dinners. He works hard, but makes it look easy over there. A future multi gold glove award winner and a great all around guy. I’m sure anyone who has played with him or against him will say the same. Love having him on my team.
MMN – What is your approach like at the plate? I’ve noticed that you’ve been walking more in winter ball, is that something you’re working on?
Phillip – My approach is the same as it has always been, aggressive on pitches that I want to hit and do damage with. I have been a little bit more selective during my time in winter ball.
MMN – Last question, what do you think you need to work on this offseason to take the next step in your development towards the ultimate goal of being a major leaguer?
Phillip – I’m going to get stronger, faster, and as lean as possible. Working on my first step and quickness, so I will be able to play at the highest level at any position.
MMN – Thanks again for answering all my questions. Good luck next season.
Mike, With all of the Mets depth at middle infield (Rosario, Cecchini, Reynolds and TJ Rivera) where do you see Phillip Evans playing next year? Does he start the season in AA?
I think there is a very good chance he’s in Binghamton. Just no room in Vegas given the names you mentioned and throw in Kelly too.
I don’t see enough of a log jam to stunt Evans’s growth by repeating AA he doesn’t need. I hope the Mets agree.
Nothing odd about carrying six infielders. – That amounts to normal roster but the distinction here is the quality of the group all of whom have or will have big league promotion.
Moreover, Alderson’s new policy is expanding versatility, so expect some of these players to become super utility adding outfield and perhaps even more infield versatility to their experience like the 7th infielder in this group – Ty Kelly who also plays outfield and could be carried as such especially with the thin outfield Vegas is likely to have. I think TJ and Matt Reynolds are the most appropriate to add more outfield to their training.
Additionally, it’s possible one or more may make the big league 25-man roster or be traded before spring training. ,
If there’s a candidate to start the season in AA, I think it should be Cecchini to specifically fix his defense let’s say for the first month. .
Not sure how Evans getting more frequent at bats in Bingo would stunt his growth more than having trouble getting in the lineup in Vegas. It’s not like he’s a big prospect that’s had a ton of at bats in Double-A either.
Rivera and Reynolds both got outfield exposure last year and I do expect both to get more this year. Would expect to see Mazzilli get some reps in the outfield too, if he’s still around.
And talk about stunting growth, that’s exactly what you would be doing putting Cecchini in AA.
I’m very curious to see if Evans can come close to repeating his impressive performance this year or if it’s a mostly BABIP influenced fluke, similar to Matt Reynolds’s 2014 season. I do think Evans made some solid improvements this year, but I don’t think that he’s going to be able to keep up this performance and still has utility guy upside. Hopefully he can prove me wrong. The more legit middle infield prospects the better, even though our system is already stacked in that area. Nice interview.
Gavin has to get rid of the defensive yips and hasn’t shown he can in AAA following similar defensive struggles in 2014 and 2015 at lower levels. He most recently struggled in AZ Fall League with same. .
I think Mets should consider sending him to AA to begin 2017.- let him work through his defensive struggles at short and gain exposure at 2nd. Should he play sound defense lets say for 30 – 60 games, promote him to AAA for continued development. Thereafter a few months of solid defense at short, second and even third in AAA should make him candidate to return to the majors but this time ready on both sides of the ball.
I think he has the talent to be a solid defensive major league infielder but has to overcome a mental block to get out of his own way.
Regarding Evans – After winning the Eastern League batting title and having a fine triple slash, I don’t think a repeat of AA makes sense. That he hasn’t been a prospect till that point, I don’t think warrants holding him back.
It is, after all, about moving forward using his good mechanics and approach, strong frame, and commitment to improve as he discussed in your interview growing his game. I think he’s earned a AAA promotion and deserves playing time which I think Mets should make available to find out what they have in him.
Great job again Michael. Love your aggressiveness in seeking out these players and realizing that they also like the opportunity.
Glad MMN is back online; those detours as soon as I clicked on an article were hurting my feeling.
I’m not sure why Gavin would need to go to AA to work on his defensive issues. Keep him at AAA and let Teufel work with him, I think that is the best thing.
Evans still didn’t even play a full season in AA, he only qualified for the batting title on the final day. It’s not about him deserving to be in AAA, it’s not enough room. Rosario at SS, Cecchini at 2B, Rivera at 3B then you still have Reynolds and Kelly that will play in the infield. Evans should go to AA where he can get some at-bats until an injury at AAA/MLB level moves him up which it will. Everyone isn’t going to stay healthy.
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Thanks, I really appreciate that.
That is part of the reason I’m not fully jumping aboard the Evans train, and probably part of the reason he didn’t get drafted in Rule 5. I still think McNeil ends up being a better player.
I don’t see Reynolds still being on the 40 man on Opening Day. He will be outrighted at the end of spring training after he clears waivers. The Mets really rolled the dice with Sewald and Evans and got lucky.
If your top six infielders are Wright, Flores, Reyes, Cabrera, Walker, and Duda, plus you have Rivera and Cecchini in the minors, where does Reynolds fit?
Reynolds fits because he is the best defensive option at SS, that’s why he’s still around. Agreed that he is one of the top guys on the possible cutting board when they sign a bullpen arm or two. Although in that case you probably cut one of the arms like Goddel, Gilmartin, Montero, Edgin.
Cecchini crushed AAA pitching last season and is a Mets top 5 prospect and former 1st round draft pick. There is absolutely NO WAY he is being sent to AA to make room for Evans. The way to correct Cecchini’s throwing problems from SS is to move him to 2B, but there is NO REASON he needs to go to AA to make the conversion.