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Left-hander Philip Pfeifer was selected by the Dodgers in the third round of the 2015 First Year Player Draft, the 101st overall pick. He had initially been picked by the Texas Rangers in the 44th round of the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft out of Farragut High School in Knoxville, Tennessee but chose not to sign a professional contract at that time.

The Knoxville native instead chose to pursue his education and baseball career at Vanderbilt University in his home town. The decision for the four year junior turned out to be a wise one on his part and that of his family.

As a four year junior, having missed the 2014 college season and the opportunity to play for Vanderbilt in that College World Series, Pfeifer was able to get his life in order, complete his college degree with honors, participate in the 2015 College World Series and got drafted by the Dodgers.

His teammate at Vanderbilt, pitcher Walter Buehler, was the Dodgers first overall selection in the 2015 draft. Another participant in the 2015 College World Series, Joshua Sborz, was picked by the Dodgers in the Competitive Balance Round just before Pfeifer was selected. However, Sborz pitched for the University of Virginia Cavaliers on a team that unexpectedly won the CWS in 2015 in a three game victory over Vanderbilt.

Leading up to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, Pfeifer led the Commodores to a 4-2 victory over Illinois in a duel with Tyler Jay, considered to be the best left-hander in college baseball. Jay was drafted sixth overall in the June Draft by the Minnesota Twins.

Philip Pfeifer
(Photo credit – Jae S. Lee)

Perhaps the highlight of Pfeifer’s College World Series was the second game in which he threw seven scoreless innings while striking out seven to get the win in a 1-0 victory over Texas Christian University. His command on that night caught the attention of the opposing coach.

“I think he pitched at the bottom of the zone most of the night,” TCU coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “He threw his breaking ball two different speeds that I could see. And just everything, he never elevated the ball.”

Having missed the 2014 College World Series, Pfeifer was even more appreciative of the opportunity to go to Omaha and a second chance to compete against the nation’s best.

“To say it’s been quite a year doesn’t do it justice,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better than a trip to Omaha and a chance to pitch in the College World Series.”

On the second day of the MLB June Draft the Vanderbilt Commodores were returning to Nashville. Philip Pfeifer was on one bus and his coach and mentor, Tim Corbin, was on a second bus when the news broke that the 6’0” -190 lb left-hander had been drafted by the Dodgers. Corbin could hardly contain his excitement.

“I wanted to go right through the bus,” coach Tim Corbin said. “We’re not on the same bus as (Pfeifer), so I just wanted to go grab him and hug him. But I know he feels the emotion from everyone.”

“But I was ecstatic because he is one of my boys, and we are all so proud of him because of what he has done coming off last year. He is a cool story, and it’s a cool moment for him.”

Coach Corbin has had a major influence on Philip Pfeifer’s life and career and is still in his corner: “When he’s on the mound, Phil is one of the best competitors that we have had. He continues to improve in all phases of pitching and will certainly have a key role on our staff. I am really proud of his growth as a person and his productivity academically.”

Pfeifer made his professional debut with the Ogden Raptors of the rookie level Pioneer League on July 24th against the Grand Junction Rockies. He pitched 1.2 innings giving up no runs on one hit and three walks. He stuck out two. That was to be his only appearance as a professional in 2015.

After an extended spring training Pfeifer made his 2016 debut with the Great Lakes Loons of the Class A Midwest League on April 29th. In two innings in relief against the Beloit Snappers he gave up one hit along with a walk and three strikeouts. He followed that up on May 2nd against the Quad City River Bandits, again in relief, pitching two perfect innings with three strike outs.

He will turn 24 on July 15th so we can expect his time with the Loons to be brief, shortened by a promotion to the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the Class A+ California League. I expect we may also see him given an opportunity to start much like his College World Series opponent, Joshua Sborz, who now is experiencing success as a starter with the Quakes after an outstanding college year in 2015 in relief.

 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  UPDATE: May 6, 2016 at 1:30 pm PT *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * 

Philip Pfeifer has been promoted to the Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.