The Brewers are making a run at the NL Central title, defeating the Pirates on Wednesday night to stay within 2.5 games of the Cubs. One of the highlights from Wednesday’s win was this throw by rookie center fielder Brett Phillips to gun down David Freese at home. The throw registered at 104 miles per hour, the hardest outfield throw of the season according to Statcast.
Brett Phillips' 70-grade arm was on display as he unleashed the strongest throw in @MLB this season, per @statcast: https://t.co/ZBHUxklUQ9 pic.twitter.com/y08nlfUCap
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 14, 2017
Phillips jokingly told reporters after the game he thought his impressive throw came in ever hotter:
“Yeah that might be broken,” he deadpanned. “I think it was harder.”
He was kidding.
“That’s cool and all, but he was out. That’s all I’m worried about,” Phillips said. “I’ve said it before, the feeling for me is throwing a guy out and just seeing Chase’s face. Helping him out of a bind, that’s the best thing for me.”
Phillips got to show off his highly touted arm, graded a 70 on the 20-80 scale. But after recording the second hardest throw for an outfield assist since Statcast began tracking them in 2015, he’s wondering what more he needs to do to bump that grade up to the max rating.
I think I can do better… how hard would I have to throw it next time to be given an 80-grade arm on the 20-80 scale!? @BaseballAmerica https://t.co/WznG2YWyca
— Maverick Phillips (@Brett_Phillips8) September 14, 2017
Phillips also went 2-for-4 with three RBI. Phillips makes a fair point, but with more two-way performances like that, nobody will care what the scouts have to say.
[MLB]