After surprising some with the selection of OF Zach DeLoach in the second round, the Mariners returned to their security zone by selecting a college arm with their third pick (Comp Round B) in the 2020 draft. This isn’t the typical college arm, though; Connor Phillips is a right-handed pitcher from Texas who was drafted last year by the Blue Jays in the 35th round. Phillips declined to sign, but instead of attending LSU as planned, decided to go the JUCO route, heading off to McLennan Community College in Waco.
Teams were interested in Phillips as a prep thanks to his plus fastball, which could touch 97, coupled with a plus curveball that sits in the high 70s and shows good depth.