Phillip Evans' calendar is starting to get a little crowded.
This week he's helping lead
La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) to a possible San Diego Section championship. On June 17, he's set to graduate. And on June 6, there's the little matter of the Major League Baseball Draft.
One of the top shortstops in the country, Evans figures to go in the supplemental round or early in the second round of the First Year Player Draft. However, thoughts of a pro career are not the main thing on Evans' mind at the moment. Winning a San Diego Section championship is.
"I am not thinking too much about the draft," said Evans. "I'm just focusing on my season at hand and taking home the title. If things go well for me in the draft, I will reevaluate my status."
The Mavericks advanced to the third round of the San Diego Section Division II playoffs with a 7-1 win over Patrick Henry. Evans played a big role in the win, going 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. La Costa Canyon then knocked off Steele Canyon 6-1 to reach the fourth round, but lost to Steele Canyon Tuesday and will play that squad again on Thursday for the right to play Helix for the title.
"I think we have a good shot at winning CIF this postseason because we have a solid pitching staff, great defense and a stacked lineup," said Evans.
Offense only tells half the story about Evans' value to the team. Coach Justin Machado points out that Evans' defense is also a key for the Mavericks.
"He is extremely talented in the field," said Machado. "He is a five-tool high school player with tremendous upside. Attitude on and off the field is one of a kind. He has an incredible first step defensively with a strong arm."
Scouts also like Evans' range and his soft hands. It helps that he also hits well, giving reason to believe that Evans will play shortstop at the next level.
"I am a very consistent hitter and infielder, but my biggest strength is my glove," said Evans. "I try to get to every ball that comes my way."
For the season, Evans is batting .375 (36-for-96) for the Mavericks, who are 26-8 on the year. He also has a team-best 10 doubles and seven home runs to go with a team-high 30 RBIs. Machado says that Evans has shown that kind of ability at the plate since his freshman year.
"He was the starting shortstop playing in the CIF championship game at Tony Gwynn Stadium," said Machado. "He goes 3-for-3 with two doubles off the right- and left-centerfield walls."
As a junior, Evans batted .489 with five home runs and six doubles. That performance landed him a spot in the Area Code Games at Long Beach, the Aflac All-American Game in San Diego and the Tournament of Stars in Cary, N.C.
"It was a lot of fun competing against the best players in the country," said Evans. "Dillon Maples was one of the toughest pitchers I faced over the summer. He has a hard fastball and a dirty offspeed."
Playing against the best competition in the country has helped get Evans closer to his ultimate dream of playing professional baseball.
"I have always had a dream to play professionally," he said. "This dream has got me to become the player I am today."
He's also had help along the way from his father, who has been a key to Evans' development. A ballplayer himself, Tom Evans played college baseball at Cuesta Junior College in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
"My dad has been the most influential person in my life," said Evans. "He has taught me all about the game and also very important life lessons along the way."
One of those lessons is the advice he takes with him to the field every day.
"You will fail more times than you succeed in baseball, so control your emotions and learn from your mistakes," said Evans. "That's the advice I would give to younger players to help them become better."
