Well folks, the draft has arrived. All the time spent analyzing players, reading scouting reports, and thinking about who we want/don’t want, and today is the day. The draft starts at 2PM Eastern, and the first round + compensation round will be shown on ESPN2. As you may have heard by now, the Phillies have lots of picks in the first 5 rounds, and a real chance to add a bunch of talent to the system. The Phillies have hinted that they will be more aggressive in terms of taking better talent, but they’ve also name dropped a couple of really questionable guys, at least in my opinion. I’ll post the full draft order, and we’ll discuss the draft as it unfolds. Any last minute rumors, post them here. Any random thoughts as it unfolds, post them here. I’ll do a full wrapup of today’s action later tonight with detailed thoughts. Baseball Prospectus is doing a roundtable chat today starting at 1PM, which will supplement the TV coverage nicely. You can get prepared for that right here.
Round 1
01. Tampa Bay – Tim Beckham, SS (Griffin HS, GA)
02. Pittsburgh – Pedro Alvarez, 3B (Vanderbuilt)
03. Kansas City – Eric Hosmer, 1B (American Heritage School, FL)
04. Baltimore – Brian Matusz, LHP (San Diego)
05. San Francisco – Buster Posey, C (Florida State)
06. Florida – Kyle Skipworth, C (Patriot HS, CA)
07. Cincinnati – Yonder Alonso, 1B (Miami)
08. Chicago White Sox – Gordon Beckham, SS (Georgia)
09. Washington – Aaron Crow, RHP (Missouri)
10. Houston – Jason Castro, C (Stanford)
11. Texas – Justin Smoak, 1B (South Carolina)
12. Oakland – Jemile Weeks, 2B (Miami)
13. St Louis – Brett Wallace, 3B/1B (Arizona State)
14. Minnesota – Aaron Hicks, OF/RHP (Wilson HS, CA)
15. LA Dodgers – Ethan Martin, 3B/RHP (Stephens County HS, GA)
16. Milwaukee – Brett Lawrie, C (Brookswood Secondary School, BC)
17. Toronto – David Cooper, 1B (California)
18. NY Mets – Ike Davis, 1B (Arizona State)
19. Chicago Cubs – Andrew Cashner, RHP (TCU)
20. Seattle – Josh Fields, RHP (Georgia)
21. Detroit – Ryan Perry, RHP (Arizona)
22. NY Mets – Reese Havens, SS (South Carolina)
23. San Diego – Allan Dykstra, 1B (Wake Forest)
24. Philadelphia – Anthony Hewitt, SS (Salisbury School, CT)
25. Colorado – Christian Friedrich, LHP (Eastern Kentucky)
26. Arizona – Daniel Schlereth, LHP (Arizona)
27. Minnesota – Carlos Gutierrez, RHP (Miami)
28. NY Yankees – Gerrit Cole, RHP (Orange Lutheran HS, CA)
29. Cleveland – Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B (Pitt CC, NC)
30. Boston – Casey Kelly, SS (Sarasota HS, FL)
Compensation Round
31. Minnesota – Shooter Hunt, RHP (Tulane)
32. Milwaukee – Jake Odorizzi, RHP (Highland HS, IL)
33. NY Mets – Brad Holt, RHP (UNC Wilmington)
34. Philadelphia – Zach Collier, OF (Chino Hills HS, CA)
51. Philadelphia – Anthony Gose, LHP/OF (Bellflower HS, CA)
71. Philadelphia – Jason Knapp, RHP (North Hunterdon HS, NJ)
102. Philadelphia – Vance Worley, RHP (Long Beach State)
109. Philadelphia – Jonathon Pettibone, RHP (Esperanza HS, CA)
136. Philadelphia – Trevor May, RHP (Kelso HS, WA)
166. Philadelphia – Jeremy Hamilton, 1B (Wright State)
196. Philadelphia – Colby Schreve, RHP (CC of Southern Nevada)
June 5, 2008 at 8:29 am
This is absolutly an exciting day for a phillies fan. If they can land 5 guys that make the top 30 and 3 that can make the top 10 in the organization by this time next year I will be estatic. I do think there is a posibility (*25%) of a top 15 talent falling to 24, the question is… who, and if needed will they bust slot. GO PHILLIES!
June 5, 2008 at 8:30 am
I don’t particularly care for the names that are being associated with the Phillies. Who knows? Way back as a young draft follower I can recall strongly disliking the selection of Chase Utley over Aaron Heilman. At this point we may be resigned to hoping Casey Kelly or Zach Collier falls to 24.
June 5, 2008 at 8:40 am
This may sound silly, but I have a lot of confidence in Wolever and Arbuckle. I think they have succeeded by and large in the past and will continue to do so today. Also, even though I love amateur baseball and follow the players as closely as I can, in reality, I know very little about player x and player y. So, instead of hoping the Phillies choose one or two particular players, I will put my faith in our scouts and hope that the Phillies instead take an aggressive approach to the draft. Also, a power bat or two might be nice.
June 5, 2008 at 9:33 am
Jim Callis now has us projected to land Shooter Hunt
June 5, 2008 at 9:46 am
So, to recap
BA (Callis): Hunt
BP (Goldstein): Collier
MLB (Mayo): Collier
Me (duh): Collier
ESPN (KLaw): Collier
June 5, 2008 at 9:50 am
You can add Keith Law projecting Collier.
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft2008/insider/news/story?id=3426919
June 5, 2008 at 9:50 am
Neduol Caz- Doesn’t sound silly to me; I echo your sentiment. I have faith in Arbuckle…you can’t argue with his track record, and wouldn’t mind a more aggressive approach to this year’s draft. How about Devin Hood at 51? He might cost a little extra, but I like the idea of stockpiling athletic, high school position players to compete with one another. Instead of piling expectations on a single player, like Collier, how about drafting a bunch of helium guys with the hope that at least one becomes a star? I’m in favor of laying a new foundation, with talented, athletic position players, that can grow together, and in 4-5 years solidify into the future core of this franchise. Of course I’d mix in a few young arms, and perhaps a college reliever, but I’d like at least 3 position players in their first 7 picks.
Look at the D’backs, Rays and Dodgers…those teams are built with athleticism. Taking raw athletes isn’t always a bad idea, but they need to be able to hit and have plus power.
June 5, 2008 at 9:53 am
No one has ever argued, as far as I can tell, that taking pure athletes is a bad thing. The problem is, some teams are better at “teaching” guys to hit than others. When was the last time the Phillies drafted a “projectable athlete” and taught him how to hit? Golson has come around this year, but we’re talking 5 years after he was drafted, and hes still striking out a ton, and not projected to hit for average.
A guy like Anthony Hewitt is really scary, because he can’t even hit high school pitching, let alone projecting him to hit against top competition in the minors. I have no problem taking a guy like Collier, who has tons of tools and athleticism, because Collier has already demonstrated he can hit, and he’s already shown some present power.
June 5, 2008 at 9:54 am
Hunt would be a great pick! I remember seeing him his Freshman year at UVa before he went to Tulane. He didn’t stick around because he thought he might not get a chance to start with Jacob Thompson and Sean Doolittle around.
A couple other mocks have the Padres taking Hunt at 23.
June 5, 2008 at 10:01 am
I actually don’t want Hunt. He’s a 2 pitch pitcher, and he has control/command issues. He’s probably going to end up a reliever, though maybe thats the Phillies plan.
June 5, 2008 at 10:06 am
It sounds like a pretty low ceiling draft by the late 1st round. While I’d like to do better than a RP, getting a college version of Ryan Madson wouldn’t be too bad I guess.
This was a bad year to get that comp pick too I guess. I almost think that taking Hewitt might be worth it. At this point, you might as well take the risk on the high ceiling. Maybe even better is not signing someone and getting an extra low 1st rounder next year when the pickings aren’t as slim. I wonder how the commissioner would view that strategy. I also wonder how fans would react to not signing the 1st round pick.
June 5, 2008 at 10:22 am
phuturephillies — I wouldn’t say Golson necessarily projects as a low BA guy, although he certainly won’t carry his current averag in the majors. The legitimate big knock on Golson is the extremely low BB rate, which leads to a low oba, even if the ba is ok. The huge number of Ks wouldn’t be a concern if he showed the power and walk rate of guys like Burrell and Howard. With mediocre power and infinitesimal walks, the K rate is indicative of inadequate or at least inadequately developed hitting and pitch recognition skills.
June 5, 2008 at 10:24 am
chocoburger — that is why we should be aggressive in the first 3 rounds (except for 3rd round makeup pick). Guys who won’t sign this year will be replaced by equivalent picks in a likely better draft next season. The new rules point to boldness being rewarded. A bigger budget wouldn’t hurt either. We should draft the best players who fall to us, Boras client or not, and make a strong effort to sign them. If they don’t sign, just bank the draft pick for next year.
June 5, 2008 at 10:32 am
According to Keith Law, Mariners doctors gave the thumbs up on Tanner Scheppers and the team could take him at #20.
June 5, 2008 at 10:44 am
the fact that everyone thinks the Phils are taking Collier makes me think that they are NOT taking Collier
June 5, 2008 at 10:49 am
Let’s have a draft like Boston did in 2005: Ellsbury, Hansen, Buchholz, Bowden and Lowrie. THEN Marti Wolever can talk.
June 5, 2008 at 10:54 am
There was an interesting article recently about the Phillies’ head fakes when they were drafting Hamels. Apparently, they convinced a bunch of teams that he was not healthy and that the Phils’ doctors led the Phillies to pull him from the team’s draft board. Still, according to the story, the Phillies told other teams “hey, whatever, go ahead and draft him, he’s going to be good.” Reverse psychology and it worked.
If the right player falls in their lap, of course they’ll take him, but I’m not necessarily sure I would believe all the hype at this point about which player the team favors most.
It’s going to be fun.
June 5, 2008 at 10:56 am
JosephWladislaw Says:
June 5, 2008 at 10:49 am
Let’s have a draft like Boston did in 2005: Ellsbury, Hansen, Buchholz, Bowden and Lowrie. THEN Marti Wolever can talk.
Problem is, I wonder if this organization can develop any players to enable a team to have a draft like that.
June 5, 2008 at 11:08 am
The problem with not signing your picks in the first two-three rounds is that your players then lose a year of development. This is a major problem that can really come back and hurt the system. Also, from everything that I have read, the 2009 draft is going to be even worst than the ‘08 draft. So, we probably want to make our picks count this year…
June 5, 2008 at 11:15 am
I’ve heard chatter about the phils being interested in Kelly, would we pony up? Would he be worth his asking price?
June 5, 2008 at 11:17 am
I have heard that Kelly already has a deal done with a team, thus his outrageous demands… I think it was the Cubs or Yanks.
June 5, 2008 at 11:51 am
Where’s Cutter Dykstra (lennys kid) projected to go? 2nd Round?
June 5, 2008 at 11:52 am
its here, should be a great draft, cant wait to see how we do
June 5, 2008 at 11:57 am
hey bob
2 striaght league mvp’s and a possible 3rd this year along with cole hammels ain’t too bad. and bourne (who is leading the NL in sbs) got us an all star closer. meyers has been very good as well (excluding this year’s troubles). the depth hasn’t been there due to a lack of willingness to spend, which you can’t blame the scouting department for. but the success of top end talent is unlike any in baseball. 3 straight mvps is unheard of.
June 5, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Mayo says that the latest buzz is that Philly takes Hewitt if he’s there. Milwaukee apparently is considering Hewitt, Hunt or Jason Castro.
June 5, 2008 at 12:02 pm
My first post after lurking for a few months now…From David Murphy’s Phillies Notebook this morning (quoting Wolever):
“An example is the college pitching board; is there somebody there that will help you and quickly?” Wolever said. “The unfortunate part is when you are picking 24, does that animal even exist? Having said that, there are still a couple of guys that we think might have a chance, maybe not this year but in the next few years, that are very attractive at that point.”
Does someone who can help “in the next few years” sound like Collier or Hewitt? I don’t think so. However, might just be Phillies misdirection – we’ll see.
June 5, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Hewitt would seriously put a damper on my day.
June 5, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Callis now thinks we end up with Hewitt.
Great.
June 5, 2008 at 12:18 pm
On the bright side, screwing up the #24 pick in the draft is fundamentally different that screwing up the #4 pick in the draft (Jeff Jackson).
Step 1 of a Phillies fan is recognizing that we are powerless to alter our reality.
June 5, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Hewitt could be gone…
June 5, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Honestly, how many times have the phillies said We want this guy and actually take him?
June 5, 2008 at 12:23 pm
SQUIRE, lol, thats very well put.
I think at this point, the best thing everyone can do is hope someone takes Hewitt before us. Hopefully Milwaukee or maybe even the Mets.
June 5, 2008 at 12:43 pm
From Section 113 – that is a great point. works for all sports drafts. the projections are fun to read and debate, but are right about 5% of the time, and that percentage often includes the top picks. no one had us on savery last year. i don’t even think savery was projected as a first rounder last year. no one had us on drabeck or golson the prior years.
June 5, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Actually, people had Drabek lined up in our area the year before, and there was quite a bit written about the work the Phillies did on his off the field stuff, so it wasnt a shock. And Jim Salisbury name dropped Savery in the Q/A I did with him right before the draft last year, though he was projected to go at the back of the 1st round.
June 5, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Were we on Cardenas or his buddy Marerro? I am sure I jusrt butchered that guys name.
June 5, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Salsibury usually has a batch of names on the day of the draft and the Phillies first pick is usually in the batch – He had Golson 2004 and Savery in 2007. He had D’Arby Myers name in 2006 and I think that he had Costanzo’s name in 2005. Costanzo was thought of as about a one round overdraft so I think the Phillies were pretty confident they were going to get him at 63.
On the bright side, the Phillies are picking later than they have in a long while which adds greater uncertainty to the #24 options.
June 5, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Mayo now saying Hewitt is the guy if hes there.
UGH
June 5, 2008 at 12:53 pm
james – i will bet you a beer that the pick isn’t hewitt. if either of us lose, we can use this site to pay up: http://www.BuyYourFriendADrink.com
deal?
June 5, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Deal.
I’ll happily buy you a beer if we don’t take Hewitt.
June 5, 2008 at 12:57 pm
The Phillies had Hewitt in to Philly to visit and I assume work out I have no idea if they liked what they saw.but at least they seem to have done their due diligence The Brewers also had him for a personal workout.
June 5, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I’m working from home today, and I’ll be forced to open a beer if it is Hewitt.
Let’s just see what happens. Oh, and this thread will probably get pretty long today, huh James?
June 5, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Yeah. We had almost 7000 hits last year on the first day of the draft, but readership has gone up quite a bit since then, so I expect it to move into 5 digits. Should be fun.
June 5, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I’m “homing” from “work” today, and i’ll have a beer as well…
June 5, 2008 at 1:10 pm
and trust me, I’d love to be wrong and that Hewitt isn’t the pick. I’m just worried, and I’m equally worried we’re going to waste #34 on Jason Knapp.
June 5, 2008 at 1:17 pm
and the Rays take Beckham.
Now the intrigue begins
June 5, 2008 at 1:20 pm
this coverage is….awkward.
June 5, 2008 at 1:23 pm
1.2 – PIT – Alaverz.
They actually did it.
I’d guess its between Hosmer, Posey and Matusz at 1.3
June 5, 2008 at 1:27 pm
“this coverage is….awkward.”
Anytime Steve Phillips is talking more than Jim Callis and Keith Law combined, you know you’re in trouble. Still, it’s only the second year they’re doing this live, so it’s better than nothing I suppose (and it can only get better). But they absolutely should let Law play the Mel Kiper role and put a muzzle on Phillips.
June 5, 2008 at 1:30 pm
how does a guy like phillips get a job as a “guru”? you are talking about a guy who did one of the worst trades in all baseball.
June 5, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Phillips didnt trade Kazmir.
But he still doesnt have a clue
June 5, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I think Matusz is gonna struggle in the AL East. just a hunch.
June 5, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Jim Duquette traded Kazmir for V. Zambrano. Still, Phillips didn’t exactly distinguish himself as a premier GM while he was there (see Vaughn, Mo; Appier, Kevin; etc.) The Piazza deal is the only one I remember having a particularly positive impact. And their drafts for most of the late 90s were atrocious.
June 5, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Boy — Law has been right on the $$ so far, albeit with a very, very recent mock draft. He has Skipworth going next followed by Beckham and Smoak.
June 5, 2008 at 1:44 pm
There goes Skipworth. I think he’ll end up a better player than Posey.
June 5, 2008 at 1:47 pm
posey the man…hes legit and was picked by many to go first when did you ever hear of skipworth going first?
June 5, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I’m not really concerned who picked him to go where. Skipworth has more offensive upside and could be at least average defensively.
June 5, 2008 at 1:50 pm
wow, Alonso. Joey Votto just checked in on his cell and wants to know what the deal is
June 5, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Interesting info from Keith Law there: that none of these teams are being scared off by bonus demands even when they’ve never before given bonuses of that size. Wonder if that’s a trend that will hold up.
June 5, 2008 at 1:54 pm
my roomate is posey teamate so i go to many of the games..this guy could hit the ball all over the field. has a better arm. hits 95 when he closes and if catching doesnt work he started as a shortsstop and could play pretty much any other position. plus this guy doesnt go out and party and is down to earth more then any other kid on the team
June 5, 2008 at 1:54 pm
James — I am not watching the draft on TV — what are the rules as far as time limit per pick per team. It seems to me that if teams can’t deal picks there shouldn’t be much time necessary in making a given pick. Teams have worked out the guys they are interested in and know which guys are slot guys and which guys want bigger bonuses well in advance of the actual draft, no?
June 5, 2008 at 1:58 pm
PhillyFriar — I think we are just seeing the pendulum swing all the way from teams going after big money FAs to populate their team to trying to build completely from within and break slot when necessary to bring in the young players they are most interested in. Verducci wrote an article recently on how that is now the “model” for building a club. It will start moving back towards the middle when enough young big money guys flame out and the know-it-alls start talking about how experience and having “done it” at the major league level is more important again.
June 5, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Its 5 minutes between picks. Its all done for the TV coverage. 3 years ago, we’d be into the 2nd round already
June 5, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Which means we won’t even pick for another 2 hours.
June 5, 2008 at 2:06 pm
hahahha, Astros reach for Castro. Awesome
June 5, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I’m trying not to get my hopes up but with Castro off the board, the Brewers might take Hewitt.
June 5, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Wade doesn’t take Smoak! ha.
June 5, 2008 at 2:11 pm
June 5, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I think 8-12 is the hardest positions to pick because you have so much talent off the board and sooo much still there its really tough. Top 5 are usually concensus and after #15 you just have what’s left. ANyone else?
June 5, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Is it Wade drafting?
June 5, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Dan, I didn’t get the chance to finish reading that Verducci article but I know what you’re talking about. I’d rather err toward this side of the pendulum than the other — I know it’s not this simple, but if you don’t spend $3 million to sign Rod Barajas and use that money to sign draft picks instead, it’ll prove to be a far better investment. Even if some of those players flame out, it’s still worth it.
Nice pick by Texas by the way.
June 5, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I think Smoak ends up one of the 3 best players from the first round. Great pick for Texas.
June 5, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I wasn’t aware that castro was valued so highly…LOL
June 5, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Weeks is a reach at 12, I believe, but it isn’t a Castro type reach.
Now, here’s where things start to impact the Phillies. The Twins I think are a candidate to take Hewitt, though I think they will still take Lawrie. After that, we can hope for Milwaukee.
June 5, 2008 at 2:19 pm
weeks is a serious reach
June 5, 2008 at 2:20 pm
By the way, how early is the ESPN crew getting wind of these picks? Ravech keeps hinting at who’s going to go when he introduces the commissioner. Like before Skipworth went, he says, “Well we’ve already had one catcher — now here’s the commissioner.”
June 5, 2008 at 2:21 pm
A guy like Anthony Hewitt is really scary, because he can’t even hit high school pitching,
woah woah woah…can’t hit high school pitching?
Hewitt batted .536 with a HR every 7 at bats!
I’m sure about his competition, plate discipline or fielding, but Hewitt seems like he can handle high school pitching. Teams are clearly interested in Hewitt for his bat; he certainly isn’t a speed guy. He looks awkward at shortstop, but could be moved to 3B, or if that doesn’t work out, has plenty of power for a corner outfield spot. Also- I don’t remember where I read this, but apparently Hewitt has shown the ability to hit with a wooden bat.
From PG crosschecker(5/3/08): “Hewitt has the best bat in the Northeast, college or high school, and his other tools play well, too.”
I sorta see Anthony Hewitt like another Brooklyn native: Manny Ramirez. Hewitt is committed to Vanderbilt, and is considered a tough sign,(by Keith Law) so if the Phils take him, its not to save money.
Hewitt isn’t my 1st choice, but I think you’re all being a little tough on him. He’s not another speedy CF; he’s a prep hitter with explosive bat speed and a ton of raw power.
Apparently the Brewers really like him, so I don’t even know if he’ll drop that far…I don’t know about taking Hewitt at #24…but he’d be awfully intriguing at #34…
As I said, I like the idea of taking prep hitters. If CBP is really a bandbox, lets draft sluggers who can make great offense into a team tradition. Athletic, 5 tool position players are nice, but the tool I’m looking for is the bat. The other tools just allow them to play a position other than 1st base, where their bat has even more value.
June 5, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Mets wanted Weeks, apparently.
June 5, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Probably 10-15 seconds so they can get the video ready
June 5, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Somewhat of a surprise. Cards must be convinced that he can stay at 3B
June 5, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Time to start praying that the Dodgers or Brewers bail us out
June 5, 2008 at 2:33 pm
it makes me laugh at how bad selig looks at those telepromters but cant even read them without stutteriing…cant you memorize a couple line every couple minutes
June 5, 2008 at 2:35 pm
phuture: who do we want….hewitt? even as a hard sign
June 5, 2008 at 2:36 pm
LOL…
June 5, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I don’t want Hewitt. In fact, I’d take most anyone over him at this point.
June 5, 2008 at 2:38 pm
o you meant you want the doger or the brewers to take him so we dont have too?
June 5, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Yeah.
Milwaukee takes Lawrie.
We;re in trouble.
June 5, 2008 at 2:39 pm
wow…4 catchers in the first 16 picks…
June 5, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Kevin Goldstein (12:38:37 PM PT): hyattff2003 (Arlington): Kevin, do you see the Brewers snapping up Friedrich if available (perhaps Shooter Hunt), or going more risky with Lawrie?
KG: I hear they are leaning against taking the toolsy high school kid, but Hunt is really plummeting and I don’t think they’ll go that way. Friedrich might be the perfect fit here.
June 5, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Damn. Brewers take Lawrie. We’re going to take a 19 year old Northeast HS player that can’t hit. I know it.
June 5, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Lawrie won’t last at C, hes a 3B as a pro
Squire, you’re prepared for it, so don’t be too upset.
June 5, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Maybe the Mets will take the somewhat local kid from Conn…
June 5, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Lawrie won’t last at C, hes a 3B as a pro
Yeah, but it’s not like the phils are flush at 3b prospects either is it?
June 5, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Damnit, damnit, damnit. No one takes Hewitt, then the Blue Jays take Cooper. Doesn’t look like the board will set up to give us a polished college hitter before the second round.
June 5, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I liked Cooper at 34, and he goes at 17. Interesting. Christian Friedrich still on the board…
June 5, 2008 at 2:46 pm
PF — I agree with your assessment re: going the young route vs. signing FAs. It always seems like the Phillies sign guys who have their best years the year after they leave (Franklin and Barajas are two good recent examples).
June 5, 2008 at 2:47 pm
The Dodgers taking Ethan Martin as a 3B was a little suprising…especially since they already have so many great prospects at 3B
btw- Ethan Martin tied Destin Hood(who I’d like at #34, #51 or #71) in the HR Derby at the Aflac Classic (high school All-America game)
Mets on the clock…
June 5, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I’m surprised Martin was announced as a 3B too, I think he’s got a better future on the mound.
June 5, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Mets take Ike Davis at 18, I had him at 22 to the Mets. Close enough I guess.
June 5, 2008 at 2:51 pm
is it me or is there a TON of pitching still available?
June 5, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Cashner and Fields.
So its Detroit, the Mets and the Padres. The Padres have a 0% chance to take Hewitt. So, if he doesn’t go to the Mets, we’re basically going to be holding our breath for 5 minutes.
Friedrich and Hunt are still there. Casey Kelly is still there.
June 5, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Four names to consider … Gerrit Cole (we can all dream), Christian Friedrich, Josh Fields, and Casey Kelly. Maybe the gods will smile on us, the partners will open up their wallets, and we will take Cole.
June 5, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I’d love the Phils to draft Collier, seeing as my 9 month old son’s name is Collier Chase. Collier is a family name, and Chase after Utley, but if this Collier kid gets picked first that would be an awesome coincidence.
June 5, 2008 at 3:03 pm
i watched hunt this weekend and he got shelled pretty well…ddint think his stuff was all that dominating
June 5, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Ryan Perry. Well, I’m glad to see him gone.
But I’d say its a near lock we take Hewitt now that Cashner, Fields and Perry are gone.
Best case scenario is Casey Kelly.
June 5, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Wouldn’t Collier or Friedrich be better than Kelly?
June 5, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Kelly has a higher ceiling than both guys, IMO. I’d be fine with any of those guys though, or Tim Melville (1% chance) or Gerrit Cole (0.5% chance)
June 5, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Cole is a slim chance because of Boras?
June 5, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Just got a tip that it might not be Hewitt. I’m still going to hold my breath.
June 5, 2008 at 3:11 pm
San Diego will most likely take Schlereth or Friedrich.
June 5, 2008 at 3:12 pm
For what it’s worth a reported scout on the Phillies.com boards, who has been posting there for several years, says that the Phils have serious interest in Kelly. He said they’ve invested a ton of time in scouting and everything on him. He said it would be an absolute “home run” to get this guy drafted and signed, even if the majority of the other picks didn’t work out.
June 5, 2008 at 3:12 pm
mets get Reyes’ replacement!
June 5, 2008 at 3:15 pm
San Diego is going to take a college player.
Then its down to us. Lots of pitching still there.
June 5, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Allan Dykstra.
We’re up.
Cross your fingers.
June 5, 2008 at 3:17 pm
How good was your tip?
/twitches nervously
June 5, 2008 at 3:19 pm
i will go out on a limb and say that gillick throws us one on his way out and picks and pays for Gerrit Cole. potential top of the rotation guy sitting there.
June 5, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Shooter Hunt ?????
June 5, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I think Reese Havens will catch.
Most if not all top-flight prep pitching is still available: Odorizzi, Melville, Cole
ON THE CLOCK!!! woohoo
June 5, 2008 at 3:20 pm
the suspense is maddening!!!
June 5, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Here it comes…
June 5, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Damnit!!!
June 5, 2008 at 3:22 pm
ladies and gents, Jeff Jackson of 2008
June 5, 2008 at 3:22 pm
ha….you win
i owe you a beer
June 5, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Anthony Hewitt…He’s got potential just like Golson
June 5, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Hewitt.
June 5, 2008 at 3:22 pm
boy that sucks. screw you gillick.
June 5, 2008 at 3:23 pm
ahhh f*ck
June 5, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Perfect pick. A hitter that cant hit.
June 5, 2008 at 3:23 pm
So according to Law: He sucks against decent players…4-6 years away great.
June 5, 2008 at 3:23 pm
same old phillies, HEWITT. How many sellouts in a row have we all given them? why not gerrit cole!
June 5, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Well,
Hewitt it is.
June 5, 2008 at 3:23 pm
whoops, please delete that
June 5, 2008 at 3:23 pm
jesus christ what a letdown.
June 5, 2008 at 3:24 pm
…..and theres that.
Now, just take Jason Knapp at 34 and we can put the cherry on the top of this.
June 5, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Actually, Law referred to Hewitt’s toolset as “tremendous”.
June 5, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Worse Pick of the round!!!!!!!
June 5, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Well they can make up for that by picking Melville at 34, but of course, they wont.
June 5, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Yeah…and he also said all the other things I said. Sucked with a wooden bat, can’t hit against real competition etc.
June 5, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Screw you Gillick ! Alot of people pay alot of money and support this club and you wont even pony up the cash for the Cole kid.
What is your obsession with raw sucky ass OF’ers ?
June 5, 2008 at 3:26 pm
umm who is this guy…6-8 years away? I guess our farm system is that good that we don’t need guys that AREN”T works in progresses.
June 5, 2008 at 3:26 pm
The Phillies don’t have a proclivity for toolsy players[/taco pal]
June 5, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Kevin Goldstein (1:26:43 PM PT): 24. Phillies – Anthony Hewitt.
This is TOTALLY awesome, as I was told this morning that the Phillies were NOT going to take an athlete, and yet the took the biggest athlete in the draft. Look, this is a total lottery ticket, but the potential payout is unmatched in the draft.
June 5, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Any chance there’s a Drabek/Carpenter effect at 34 then? What I mean is: will the Phils now go for more of a “sure thing” type of player (a pitcher, I’d assume) to counteract the boom-or-bust Hewitt?
Ahh well. I’m sure they love the kid’s makeup, and hopefully when he gets pro coaching he’ll surprise us. But I can’t say I’m terrible excited.
June 5, 2008 at 3:27 pm
wow…wow…you guys are gonna be PO’ed
“off-the charts potential”
“tremendous raw power”
“superstar”
“unlimited power”
KL just contradicted my “wooden bat” comment, but I’m sure different scouts have different opinions.
I’m glad I posted that pro-Hewitt comments earlier, just to soften the blow…
June 5, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I don’t get it. A guy like Christian Friedrich who is left-handed and can be in the majors in 2 years falls to you at 24 when some people are projecting him at 13, and you pass him up in favor of a 5+ year project who can’t hit. Why?
June 5, 2008 at 3:28 pm
anyone taking wagers on how far hewitt makes it up the ladder before he craps out? Lakewood? Clearwater? Batavia?
June 5, 2008 at 3:29 pm
They’re gonna take Knapp at 34, count on it.
June 5, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I do not know why people are placing the blame on Gillick. If I had to guess, I would say he has very little to do with it. Bit of a let down, but lets see what happens from here on out.
June 5, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I suppose there’s a possibilty that Hewitt will play for Williamsport this summer so I’ll get to see him when he comes to town in July.
June 5, 2008 at 3:29 pm
The frustrating part will be the spin from the Phillies PR department on this.
June 5, 2008 at 3:31 pm
He’s got a chance to be something special…he’s a pure athlete blah blah blah.
June 5, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I love this pick
June 5, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Good pick by Dbacks…
June 5, 2008 at 3:33 pm
NEPhilliesPhan: I’d be shocked if Hewitt played anywhere but the GCL given how raw he supposedly is. You might get to see him next year though.
Baxter: I do take heart from your comments above, and obviously Hewitt’s upside is tremendous. I think many are just a bit pessimistic on the Phillies’ ability to develop a raw hitter like that. But thanks for the glass half full mentality.
June 5, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Yeah yeah yeah. My prior statements were based on the prior record. This pick is what it is, and I’m against it – there’s nothing else I can do. Try not to be small.
June 5, 2008 at 3:34 pm
No one is doubting what he can be. He can be a superstar. But the odds are really long, for so many reasons.
June 5, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Best case scenario has to be him not signing and we get pick 24A next year.
June 5, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I love how almost every team in the league has moved, atleast to some degree, towards sabermetrics or stat based analysis and yet the phillies remain steadfast in their ideology – “Does he look good in a uniform? He does!!!!! Sign him up!!!!! IMMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Hey, I hope it works out and the kid is an HOFer, but there is a reason that the kid with the “unmatched” potential didn’t go in the top 5 picks.
June 5, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Phillyfriar: I’ll have to remind myself by then darnnit. I already have tickets for the 3 games the Crosscutters are in town for this year.
June 5, 2008 at 3:35 pm
“Try not to be small”
Try not to only come around these parts when you’re looking to take shots at me and the things I churn out. People like you are a dime a million on the internet.
June 5, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Why have Cole, Kelly, and Hunt fallen so far? Signability?
June 5, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Cole and Kelly are signability things. Hunt seems to be falling based on performance.
June 5, 2008 at 3:39 pm
ESPN’S mlb draft tracker has Hewitt committed to Vanderbilt and expected to be a tough sign so my bet is Chocoburger is right. way to go phils. who wants to bet that Friedrich gets a call up in September for the Rockies?
June 5, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Am I the only one who would have rather had either of the 2 pitchers that came after Hewitt? Not the guy from Miami but the other 2?
June 5, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Some of the top high school pitchers will be available at #34, since they’re basically all still on the board.
Hewitt must have put on quite a show at the Bank…I’m sure Amaro will tell us all about it soon enough.
Any word on his position? The commish said SS, but I’m thinking 3B.
June 5, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Cole has to be the Yanks pick.
June 5, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Maybe Hunt will fall all the way to #34?
June 5, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I expect an overdraft at 34 that they know they can sign on the cheap.
And while its really sad to say it, I think the best case is that Hewitt goes to college and we just get a comp pick.
June 5, 2008 at 3:41 pm
“Any word on his position?”
He is a SS but projects at CF.
June 5, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Though the 09 draft is supposed to be weaker than this year…damn this sucks.
June 5, 2008 at 3:43 pm
And the Yankees will be busting slot…Garrett Cole
June 5, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Yankees take Cole.
And the two different approaches to the draft are now being illustrated.
June 5, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I know nothing about any of this stuff, something I try to keep in mind on those rare occasions when I chime in. But what sort of burns me up is that the team has shown two real strengths in its developmental approach over the last decade: high school pitchers (Myers, Hamels) and college hitters (Utley, Burrell, Howard, perhaps Donald). What they’ve never done well–through Jeff Jackson to Reggie Taylor to C.J. Henry to, unless you truly believe the light has come on, Greg Golson, is take those ath-a-leets and make them big-time ballplayers.
Why not at least try to go with your strengths?
June 5, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Do they take a break before the comp round?
June 5, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I am so disappointed in the Phillies right now.
June 5, 2008 at 3:47 pm
honest question…how many times have the people on this blog who are commenting about hating the hewitt pick seen him in person?
if a lot of times, then i would be impressed, but my guess is most people are going off of keith law. and with all due respect to keith. if he was really good at analyzing prospects, he would be making big money working for a mlb club.
June 5, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Trent, I hope so… we don’t have much time to hire a whole new front office and force the owners to sell the team if they don’t.
June 5, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Sorry, no, but I’ve never “looked to take a shot” at you, though I will respond to snide remarks. I have had substantive disagreements with you on certain occasions, but I haven’t been personal, I haven’t called you names, and I’ve explained my views with evidence each time. I will confess to being blunt. You can react to that the way you want, but don’t say things about me that are false.
June 5, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Well at least the Major League team is lookin good this year.
June 5, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Never…we’re not doubting his potential PP Fan, we’;re doubting the Phillies ability to develop his potential.
June 5, 2008 at 3:48 pm
PP Fan, Law did work for a MLB club.
The scouting report on Hewitt is fairly universal. There are no scouts that praise his hit tool. Everyone is saying the same thing.
June 5, 2008 at 3:49 pm
So now begins the “Gerritt Cole” rules. From what i’ve seen of this kid he’s probably the 5th best starter in the Yanks system now (including the majors). Really shows how the system is screwed up.
June 5, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Friedrich would’ve been my pick…College lefty who has a huge curve, throws 93-94, and has solid command? He’s probably a better prospect than Savery, at a later pick.
…but I’m not one for prolonged 2nd guessing.
With so many quality players still available, the Phils must have been 100% committed to Hewitt. They must have REALLY liked him. This sort of unwavering commitment is not made without due diligence.
June 5, 2008 at 3:49 pm
PP Fan, I’m sure very few, if any, of us have actually seen Hewitt in person, but our negative reactions are based on facts that even his supporters agree are true – that he’s very raw and inexperienced, and that his stock is based on his athletic ability.
June 5, 2008 at 3:51 pm
PP I haven’t seen him once so, by and large, I can only go off what the “experts” say. But I also look at the fact that the 23 teams that picked in front of us passed. If this kid had even a slim chance to reach this “unmatched” potential, don’t you think someone would have picked him up.
Again, I hope the kid becomes an HOFer, but the Phillies track record with these types of players is absymal. Maybe we are due.
June 5, 2008 at 3:52 pm
There NO chance that the kid decides to go to college. He’s a first round pick, and is going to get a bonus of about $1.3 million. What does college have to offer him except the opportunity to LOWER his value (unless he really thinks that he is a top 5 player who will command $5 million is bonus money in a few years)?
June 5, 2008 at 3:52 pm
No surprise, unfortunately. He could come cheap (which
management likes), unless they have to pay him a lot to
reject Vandy. Phillies love high risk players because they’re
cheap (relatively).
June 5, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Cole to the Yankees makes me want to puke…I’m so sick of the Phillies acting impoverished when they make tons of money.
June 5, 2008 at 3:54 pm
and the knife in the back, Kelly goes to Boston.
June 5, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I’m gonna head out for now…I have to run some eerrands…this has been depressing so far.
June 5, 2008 at 3:56 pm
look, i am with you guys. that video that they are showing on mlb.com is the worst draft video i have ever seen. i think they show him striking out 2 or 3 times and hitting a grounder. his throws to first are wild too. i was honestly asking myself, is this his highlight video?
however. gillick and arbuckle have been doing this a long time and have seen this kid play a lot more than any of us. i know that law DID work for a mlb team, but did is the key word. gillick has been doing this for a very, very long time. he has seen it all and been successfull everywhere. if he didn’t have the track record, i would agree with “the scouts”. but i think that it is too early to be disappointed in the pick.
June 5, 2008 at 3:59 pm
A question for those who know more about the early history of major leagues:
What players in the majors now were considered extremely toolsy/raw when they were drafted? What players can Hewitt optimistically compared to?
June 5, 2008 at 4:00 pm
NEPhilliesPhan Says:
June 5, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Cole to the Yankees makes me want to puke…I’m so sick of the Phillies acting impoverished when they make tons of money.
—–
Seriously, what more do we need to do before this team starts acting like a big market team. We are averaging 40K in attendance per game. The TV and merchandise numbers have to be good. Yet we are 13th in payroll and continue to be cheap when it comes to the draft.
I would like the team to explain what more it is that they want us to do!!
June 5, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Only 3 more picks til we’re up again. If we get Shooter Hunt with the comp pick it’ll make my day
June 5, 2008 at 4:02 pm
what I’m really disgusted about is the talk or incinuation that the phils would consider going over slot for the right player. Several of them slapped them in the face (Cole, Friedrich) and in the end it was the same old phils.
June 5, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Why Hewitt over Collier? Isn’t Collier considered “toolsy” as well?
June 5, 2008 at 4:05 pm
I do thoroughly enjoy ripping the Phils on draft day, but while I’m disappointed, I disagree on the player not the philosophy. I’d generally rather take a guy with high potential in the 1st round rather than a guy with a middle-rotation ceiling. Here I just think that Hewitt is too raw overall. However, he is NOT a cheap pick (as I think 3/4 of our top ten was last year). He has a full-ride to Vandy and is not considered to be an easy sign. Let’s just hope the Phils scouts know what they’re doing and aren’t just hoping that his tools could eventually translate to baseball.
June 5, 2008 at 4:07 pm
OK! They loved this guy BUT did they really think that someone was going to “STEAL” him before their compensation pick???
RIDICULOUS!!!!
June 5, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Keith Law may know what he’s talking about, but he’s a Grade A Jackass.
June 5, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I just read somewhere that Arizona had their eye on Hewitt so maybe they felt they had to grab him since he wouldn’t be there at 34.
June 5, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Is the “hit” tool separate from power? Hewitt doesn’t seem like much of an all-around player. He looks really awkward turning the double play.
I know he’s extremely raw, but I just assume his bat is electric…because nothing else could justify this selection
June 5, 2008 at 4:13 pm
The spin from the Phillies PR department? That is um, their job? What do you expect from them? I’m kind of disappointed by response here to be honest. Typical Phillies phan phatalism. I’m by no means an organization-all-the-way man, but it seems kind of crazy to get this upset about a kid who has a ton of potential. He might be a bust eh? So might EVERY player in the MLB draft.
June 5, 2008 at 4:14 pm
baxter, thats why everyone is upset; he can’t hit, and he hasnt hit against mediocre competition in the Northeast.
June 5, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Quick Floppy, who do you want here?
June 5, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I like taking high ceiling guys too, but this kid is already 19 years old, and it’s going to take him 5 to 7 years to get to the majors. You probably won’t see him at CBP until 2013-2015, when he will be 24-26 years old.
The window of opportuity with this team is NOW! We need players from this draft who can make an impact in 2009 or 2010.
June 5, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I like that
June 5, 2008 at 4:17 pm
LOL….Collier
June 5, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Why not Melville?? More tools??
June 5, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Collier to Phils @ 34.
June 5, 2008 at 4:18 pm
JAK32 = Rubern Amaro’s screen name ;^)
I’m not much of a draftnik, but I’m disappointed in this pick, only because the Phillies have a propensity to draft “athletes.” That’s fine in you’re putting together at track and field team. They should try drafting baseball players instead.
Drafting a guy who can’t hit. What’s next, drafting a pitcher who can’t throw?
- Jeff
June 5, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Marcel: I disagree. This team has very few positional needs between now and 2011, particularly if you think Marson and Golson can contribute in the next 2 years. They should focusing on the group of players that will succeed Utley, Rollins, Howard, etc. I’m OK with drafting players for 2012 as long as they are the right players.
June 5, 2008 at 4:19 pm
they still got collier. so if the picks were reverse order, would you be as upset?
June 5, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Hey, at least they didn’t reach for Knapp.
I’m certainly no expert, but I’m okay with this pick. I’m thinking this means Knapp and some other arms will come later on.
June 5, 2008 at 4:20 pm
so much for getting ANY pitching. Bet the next step is re-signing Eaton to a 6 year extension!
June 5, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I like Collier 200x more than Hewitt.
June 5, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Yes, because with Cole there take your chances with him instead of an older, extremely unproven bat.
June 5, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I believe that Collier has a BETTER chance to be an impact player than Hewitt & sooner!
TOOLS: we are consistent
June 5, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Collier. Yay. Another raw, toolsy guy. We could use a few more athletic outfielders in out system. At least he seems to be less of a risk
June 5, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Without trying to sound contrarian I am happy with the draft so far I’d rather have a full rather than an empty toolshed and take my chances
June 5, 2008 at 4:24 pm
DeVall to the Braves is disappointing. They’re generally great talent evaluators, especially with their pitching, so I’m legitimately scared by that pick.
June 5, 2008 at 4:25 pm
We have so many tools now that the Phils can compete with Home Depot
June 5, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Well there goes DeVall to who else…ATL
June 5, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I feel better about really liking DeVall. The Braves know what they are doing.
June 5, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Again without claiming any knowledge of what’s going on here, I sort of like the doubling-down of the athletes. If either guy “hits,” they can legitimately call the draft a success.
I gather the negatives on Collier are the same, more or less, as for Hewitt?
June 5, 2008 at 4:31 pm
So who is there at 51?
June 5, 2008 at 4:35 pm
TRENT-
What they passed-up weren’t players with imediate impact potential at catcher or center filed. The passed-up some polished pitchers, who had either the potential to help them soon or could be used to trade for experienced major league pitchers (guys in the GCL or NY-Penn don’t have very much trade value).
Look if Carlos Carasco , Joe Savery, and Kyle Drabek end up in the rotation by 2010 then I’m making a fuss over nothing. But until they show me that they are quality major league pitchers, I think we need more pitching. And even if they do what is the worst thing that can happen…you have a surplus of pitching and you trade one for a toolsy center fielder who is still in AA.
June 5, 2008 at 4:37 pm
But the question is would Hewitt at 34 be a good pick since most everyone was projecting Collier at 24.
For me, Hewitt/Collier as a package, regardless of order, isn’t bad.
June 5, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Melville at 51?
June 5, 2008 at 4:37 pm
If we can get Melville with our next pick, I will be much happier tha I am now!
June 5, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Yeah, they have similar tools, but Collier has already shown he can hit, and plays in a baseball hotbed. Hes not quite the athlete Hewitt is, and hes been somewhat of a late riser, but he can at least hold his own and has room to grow.
There are tons of great players left on the board. But after the first two picks, my expectations are very very low.
June 5, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I almost feel guilty now, because this draft has essentially followed my 11th hour strategy…lightning batspeed high school players with unlimited potential…I was thinking along those lines for at least 2 of the first 3 picks, with a pitcher mixed somewhere in between. That being said, if they go with Hood at 51, I won’t be upset…
I assumed this approach was too radical to be realistic, but I guess its what Gillick has always done… The extra picks allowed him to take chances, and you know he likes to take chances. I think he wants Hewitt and Collier to be his legacy with the Phillies. Gillick probably figured: if either/both of them fulfill their enormous potential, fans will thank him for 15 years, but if they don’t, we’ll probably just forget about him anyway…
June 5, 2008 at 4:39 pm
0.3% chance we take Melville. He’s going to college, or to a rich team like Boston or the Yankees.
June 5, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I am thinking definite pitcher at 51 but which available arm would you like there?
June 5, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I love reading this great blog. I lurk, and read about every day…
But I think people need to relax a bit. I know the Phils have screwed up with these type of players in the past, but the MLB Draft is the biggest crapshot of any of the major sports drafts. Heck, the best player in the whole draft might be taken in the 15th round…
June 5, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I have a problem with the “its a crapshoot” argument, but I’ll address that later.
Pitcher at 51 is likely, they’ll probably make a big reach and take Jason Knapp.
June 5, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Sorry to hear that you believe Melville is not an option. He would make this (to date) draft much more palatable.
Maybe the Phils will surprise us!
June 5, 2008 at 4:48 pm
He said he wanted Top 10-15 money. Thats about 1.5M. The Phillies will not pay $1.5M in a slot with a recommendation of $500K.
June 5, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Just read a report on Knapp. He sounds pretty good. Why are you down on him?
June 5, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Maybe Ross Seaton?
June 5, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Dajafi, that’s precisely the same thought I had when the Phils nabbed Collier at 34. And like you, I don’t claim any knowledge of what’s actually going on here.
I’m still hopeful going forward. Arbuckle said in that article that the Phils wouldn’t be afraid to overpay if they liked someone, so hopefully we won’t see any Tyler Mach-type picks this year. If they avoid those type of picks for the rest of the day, I’ll be reasonably pleased.
June 5, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I’ll be interested to see what you have to say about the “crapshoot arguement.” But I think it’ll be hard to argue that baseball isn’t the toughest sport to draft for…
June 5, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Another lurker who really enjoys the site. A question, is the draft done for today? I haven’t seen the draft tracker update at all.
Thanks!
June 5, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Knapp’s delivery is terrible and he really struggles with his command/control.
I love Ross Seaton, I floated his name out a few days ago, hes a Texas guy, where the Phillies seem to like going, so its possible. Signability starts to become an issue now.
June 5, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Should be resuming soon. There was a 45 minute break after the comp round. For reasons that escape me.
June 5, 2008 at 4:57 pm
the argument against a crap shoot is that there are some franchises who ruitinely have the best minor leagues. it is as simple as that. if it was truly a crapshoot, then you would see much more parity.
June 5, 2008 at 5:03 pm
I like the Collier pick. Don’t see the need for Hewitt with Collier, but I would have been ok with Collier at #24, so he is a great value in my view as comp pick. Seaton would be fine with first 2nd rounder.
June 5, 2008 at 5:04 pm
The argument against crap shoot is that far more first and second rounders make the bigs and become stars than guys in later rounds.
June 5, 2008 at 5:05 pm
This has been a good draft. Biases aside (and yes, I’m looking at you James), we got two very good prospects. It’s very possible that Hewitt is the next CJ Henry. But how many players that aren’t considered toolsy turn into well above average MLB players? You can get average hitters off the FA pile every year, especially playing in CBP. The Phillies may as well shoot for the moon when drafting hitters.
June 5, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Ducky
You work for the phillies PR department? If not send em your resume
June 5, 2008 at 5:08 pm
This has nothing to do with bias. Find me ONE scout or scouting report that indicates Hewitt can hit a baseball. Just one. Find me one, and I’ll change my tune. I have absolutely zero bias with taking toolsy players, but being able to hit a baseball is pretty much the single most important skill you need, unless you are going to be a pitcher. Collier is toolsy, but he can hit a baseball. I’m fine with him at 34, and Id have been fine with him at 24. Hewitt doesn’t merit the 24th pick. Sure, he might become a superstar, but the odds are stacked against him. They are stacked against all prospects, but against guys who can’t hit? The odds are even longer.
When there are MUCH better players on the board, it seems really foolish to take a million to one shot on a different guy.
June 5, 2008 at 5:19 pm
rivals.com has him rated as the #12 overall high school prospect. collier is #6.
June 5, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Considering the Phillies history with drafting this type of player, maybe it makes my disappointment a bit more understandable.
June 5, 2008 at 5:21 pm
But are they rating him there because of his bat, or because of his athleticism? Thats where the distinction needs to be made.
June 5, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Where’s that guy who says the Phillies aren’t in love with toolsy position players? We’ve now taken two of them. One a wise pick, one not.
June 5, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Is galloway still avialable? Do we go for an arm?
June 5, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Lobstein to the Rays, and we’re back under way.
June 5, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Scheppers to Pittsburgh.
Get ready for Knapp
June 5, 2008 at 5:26 pm
would you have liked Scheppers at 51?
June 5, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Anthony Gose
June 5, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Who the heck is Gose?? Another position player??
June 5, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Another project HS outfielder? Uh…
June 5, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Good grief. The first line in the scouting report “depending on how he develops”
When someone has to mention that, you start wondering.
June 5, 2008 at 5:31 pm
No, no, no. I am confident the Phillies took this guy as a pitcher. Electric fastball that tops out at 96 from the left side, with a developing breaking ball. I like this pick.
June 5, 2008 at 5:31 pm
This feels like the 2002 Eagles draft, when they inexplicably went with Lito Sheppard, Michael Lewis, and Sheldon Brown. We can only hope this turns out the same: that the Phils have great foresight, and not that they’ve suddenly become obsessed with HS outfielders.
June 5, 2008 at 5:33 pm
From ESPN’s profile…
Ultimate Role: No. 2 starter
Summary: Gose has stated his preference to go out as a position player, but it’s a mistake because he has become a significantly better prospect as a pitcher. His arm is electric; he whips it through his delivery and sits 92-96 mph with life and tailing action. His curveball is inconsistent and he doesn’t have feel for it, but at its best, it’s sharp with a hard two-plane break. He’s got a mild stab after he separates his hands, and would help himself by staying over the rubber longer, but his arm works well. At the plate, however, he’s gone backwards; he has raw power, but he wraps his bat and takes an all-out swing, rarely getting his hips timed properly. Some team might take him as an outfielder with an eye toward converting him after he struggles for a year or so. He could end up a top-40 or -50 pick if he would agree to go out as a pitcher right now.
June 5, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Based on what I’ve read–in the two minutes since I heard the pick–I really hope they see this kid as a pitcher. If they know something about his willingness to take that role, this could be smart.
PhillyFriar, I think you’ve hit on something very interesting, but the difference between the Eagles in 2002 and the Phillies in 2008 is simply that the Birds already had earned the benefit of the doubt by virtue of hitting with McNabb three years earlier. The Phils… well…
June 5, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Supposedly Gose is “adamant” about remaining an OF.
June 5, 2008 at 5:34 pm
With all these raw athletes we need more than ever to provide top flight instruction. The Phillies have not been known for this in the past
June 5, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I guess they weren’t kidding when they said they were going to focus on bats.
June 5, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I think Gose will be adamant about not wanting to fall out of baseball within 2 years because he can’t hit water if he falls out of a boat. The kid is a pitcher, and if the Phillies do not convert him to being a pitcher within a year, I will stop being a fan.
June 5, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Comcast Sportsnet claims the Phils view Hewitt as a 3B.
June 5, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Arbuckle has been quoted as saying the Phils envision Hewitt as a third baseman…
June 5, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Just found this on in a Daily News article:
“Hewitt worked out for the Phillies on Monday and hit a few bombs – with a wooden bat – that opened the eyes of the scouting department. He said he would welcome the move to third.”
and
“Collier is described as being very raw. The 17-year-old hit .450 for Chino Hills (Calif.) High School. Phillies scouting director Marti Wolever said Collier reminds him of Angels outfielder Garret Anderson, a bona fide star who now is in the twilight of his career.
“He’s a lefthanded hitter with a straight-up approach,” Wolever said. “I think he’ll end up in one of the corners of the outfield, but could play center in a pinch.”
With two picks down, Wolever headed back to the war room with a bounce in his step.
“These were two kids we talked a lot about,” he said. “We’ve had a bunch of looks at these kids. We’ve all seen them. We all know what we’re getting. It’s going to take some time, but there’s tremendous upside here.”"
June 5, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Position switch AND a new position? Can’t fail!
June 5, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Also, they see Collier as a corner outfielder in the mold of Garret Anderson. Two quick stories are up on philly.com, one for the INQ and one for the DN.
June 5, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Hewitt on what it would take ($$) to keep him from Vandy:
“I don’t know what it would take,” Hewitt, 19, told the Hartford Courant before the draft. “I just know it would have to be a life-changing amount for me and my family.”
June 5, 2008 at 5:45 pm
At 71, I do not think the Phils can resist the urge any longer and will take Knapp, we will see. Any other suggestions out there, besides Melville, of course.
June 5, 2008 at 5:46 pm
That’s me, Allentown, and I stand by my prior statements. Obviously, I am going to have to take these new facts into account going forward. That said, the Phillies have not taken a disproportionate number of tools-oriented players with high picks over the last 5-10 years or so.
June 5, 2008 at 5:47 pm
I meant to write “Position switch AND teaching him how to hit non-BP?” Stupid fingers…
June 5, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Knapp!!
June 5, 2008 at 5:48 pm
And the Phillies take Knapp… whodathunkit?
June 5, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Phuturephillies may be at the bar tonight drowning his sorrows.
June 5, 2008 at 5:51 pm
James is probably at the bar now. I still dislike Knapp, however, at least we took him at 71 and not 34. That is reason to be happy, right?
June 5, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I like Gose. Knapp = zzzzzzzz
June 5, 2008 at 5:53 pm
What are the negatives on Knapp?
June 5, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Correction, I like Gose as a pitcher, not an OF, and it appears he only wants to play OF.
So thats 3 really raw OF and 1 raw NE pitcher with terrible mechanics. What a haul so far.
June 5, 2008 at 5:55 pm
But… but… Chuck LaMar has been working on these genius moves for months!
June 5, 2008 at 5:55 pm
atleast were taking Highschoolers with potential rather then a bunch of low ceiling college guys
June 5, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Dajafi: exactly. The Phils haven’t exactly done a lot with the Draft to get us to trust them (Utley, etc. won’t gain my trust when they continue to take low-ceiling players who sign for below slot).
I certainly hope Gose is a pitcher or else it seems like a waste. As for Knapp… well, just add the lottery ticket to the pile we’re building up from this draft.
June 5, 2008 at 6:00 pm
don’t you get the feeling that the phillies LOVE this draft of theirs? they can’t believe they got hewitt and collier and were uber excited knapp was still around for them at 71, and are jumping around and high fiving. were there no toolsy guys available at 71? i have no idea how i feel about this, but i may have just thrown up in my mouth a little.
June 5, 2008 at 6:12 pm
I dont know if I can do a recap tonight, I just checked and I only have 22 bottles of wine in my wine fridge. Not sure I’d be medicated enough to write anything of substance about this trainwreck.
June 5, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Haha it’s alright James, take a day and see if it looks any better with a day’s worth of perspective. The silver lining I see is that the Phils are piling up lottery tickets, though I have the same feeling that they’re buying the wrong kind of lottery tickets.
Seaton’s still on the board, so maybe we could have some good news…..
June 5, 2008 at 6:17 pm
some possitive thoughts….the best two prospects in our system are a 4th rounder (marson) and a FA (Carrasco)
June 5, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Aren’t they going to have to open the wallet to get some of these guys to sign? Thats a step forward if they spend money maybe on the wrong guys but it may dwell good for the future.
June 5, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Vance Worley
June 5, 2008 at 6:20 pm
lol. Vance Worley.
Keep drafting him until he signs.
June 5, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Worley is a reliever as a pro, IMO. We drafted him in the 20th round in 2005.
So many better players on the board, so this appears to be the “cheap sign” pick. Not a big surprise.
June 5, 2008 at 6:23 pm
What type of pitcher is Vance Worley ?
June 5, 2008 at 6:25 pm
and the Phils are take a college pitcher. at least Vance Worley went to a highly rated college program….
June 5, 2008 at 6:26 pm
He’s kind of like Andrew Carpenter in terms of stuff, with a slightly better fastball. But hes had arm issues, and if they use him as a starter, he seems like a 4A player. As a reliever, he might have some use.
June 5, 2008 at 6:27 pm
The funny thing is, the guy drafted directly after Worley, Aaron Weatherford, is a legit 8th inning reliever, probably even a closer as a pro, with a devastating splitter.
June 5, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Jonathon Pettibone
June 5, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Don’t even ask me who Johnathon Pettibone is, I have no idea.
June 5, 2008 at 6:30 pm
James, last yr Gils and Ruby took pitchers at this point that were college touted prospects and offered them over slot loot (except the guy who went to texas).
is this the point where they do this?? cause they’ve gone pitching w the last 4 picks
June 5, 2008 at 6:32 pm
travis’s brother goes off the board!!
June 5, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I’ll give these kids the benefit of the doubt. All the Phillies 1st round picks 1996-2004 are currently starting in the major leagues. The jury’s still out 2005-, but plenty of franchises have worse drafting records than the Phillies.
They drafted poorly in the 80s and early 90s, but over the past decade, the Phillies drafted the best lineup in baseball and solid #1 and #2 starting pitchers. There’s some room for improvement on the development side, but I think their recent selections have been solid.
June 5, 2008 at 6:33 pm
thats CHASE d’ARNAUD to the Pirates for those of you who aren’t watching this online…
June 5, 2008 at 6:33 pm
I guess they might be trying that. I don’t know. I honestly don’t. I’m sitting here desperately trying to understand this draft. And I think I understand, but it horrifies me.
June 5, 2008 at 6:35 pm
does the fact (from what i read on other publications etc) and not that im anywhere in your league, could the confusion and lack of top top prospects, and college positoin players (not 1b/3b) have anything to do with the ALL OVER THE PLACE draft??
June 5, 2008 at 6:39 pm
well, what is the horrifying story to this draft?
June 5, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Steven Hensley, probably the best player ever from my alma mater, goes to Seattle.
June 5, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Elon huh?? Burlington North Carolina?? or at least somewhere around there.
June 5, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Any info on Trevor May?
June 5, 2008 at 6:55 pm
May was the top ranked prospect in Washington, it was a modest class this year for the state. Seems like an intriguing arm.
June 5, 2008 at 6:55 pm
June 5, 2008 at 6:58 pm
you KNEW that GILS and gang would go after a kid from Washington state. its his M.O…
June 5, 2008 at 7:01 pm
So is trevor may considered an easy sign?
June 5, 2008 at 7:06 pm
The report provided indicates NO. BUT this is what the phils did last yr w (I believe) Julian Sampson. they will pay over slot if they have too.
the only player from last yr the didnt sign (unless im mistaken) is BRANDON WORKMAN who wanted at least 1st round $$$$ and opted for U of TEXAS instead.
June 5, 2008 at 7:15 pm
I don’t think he’ll be an “easy” sign, but I think he will sign. They’ll probably offer him comp round money or close to it, between $400-500K.
June 5, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Keith Law should like the Phillies draft…
5 of the Phillies selections cracked Law’s top 75 list.(6/5/08)
5! In (his) order- Collier, Gose, Hewitt, Knapp, Worely…
June 5, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Hamilton is a great defensive 1B, he’s basically the complete opposite player Ryan Howard is. Not a lot of power, doesn’t strike out a whole lot, and great defensively.
June 5, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Is he a Doug Mientkeiwichz (spelling)?
Could he hit for avg?
June 5, 2008 at 7:28 pm
His BA scouting report indicates he should hit for average. He hit over .400 this year.
June 5, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I like the Hamilton pick. Unfortunate that he’s limited to 1B, but it sounds like he can really hit (which is more than can be said for a few of the Phils’ early picks).
June 5, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Thats all for today. I have to step out for a while, I’ll try and work on some kind of summary later tonight.
June 5, 2008 at 7:34 pm
its still going on, 6th round isnt it
June 5, 2008 at 7:40 pm
James-
I actually feel bad that you devote so much time to a great site (and have such a passion for our Phils) that revolves largely around one day-today. I’ll be honest, I don’t follow these guys they drafted-or any of them for that matter-but it seems like the same old, same old with this organization. It’s no wonder the team has won one World Series. And here’s what you said in an earlier post “And while its really sad to say it, I think the best case is that Hewitt goes to college and we just get a comp pick.”
Maybe somebody else brought this up, but here’s my theory: with what, seven picks in the first 140, the Phils don’t want to pay that many guys so they draft a guy with a high ceiling, questionable projectability, difficult signability and let him take his scholarship.
Put it another way: if this was the NFL or NBA where you could trade your picks, with that many picks in the top 140, I’d bet a year’s worth of mortgage payments and my left nut that they would have moved a pick or two in that group to avoid paying all of them. So what’s their next best option? Do what they did today. Clowns.
June 5, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I’m happier with the draft now than I was after the Hewitt pick but its quite the high-risk strategy with all these tools guys. I will love the Gose pick if they convince him he’s a pitcher…I think he has the stuff to be somethign special. If the Phillies are actually able and willing to sign all these guys, then this draft could be success.
June 5, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Hewitt ain’t gonna sign. His comments earlier today basically screamed “I want more than slot!”. He’ll go to Vandi and come back out in a couple years.
June 5, 2008 at 7:55 pm
a lot of us were saying some of these same things last year: or mainly, they took guys knowing they’d be tuff to sign et etc..
well they signed all but one guy (yeah some say he was the top guy of the group) in the top 30 picks. thats not soo bad AND they even went over slot on some of those occassions.
now while our organization is still the “same ole phils” with Gillick they have changed some may say slightly some may say considerably…..
they went UPSIDE with the 1st two picks– there’s no arguing here and then all pitching until they got that 1B. maybe w recent luck, they feel that their farm system is a better place to develop pitching than college (the braves almost draft exclusively HIGHSCHOOLERS).
and with the (apparent) way that their last couple of prospects have come thru– I cant argue against this alteration.
Im not saying they drafted the correct guy at 24, or anywhere else– I HAVEN’T GOT A CLUE. All i have on my brain is JEFF JACKSON and GAVIN FLOYD.
but their recent prospects have shown promise, whether 1st or 5th round picks– and thats not something that i can remember saying 7 yrs ago…
June 5, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Colby Shreve- a RH pitcher w 96mph stuff. if it makes anyone feel better– THE BRAVES drafted him in the 7th round last year
June 5, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Floyd was a great pick…if only we had been able to get him to do it for us.
June 5, 2008 at 8:00 pm
lol. so was JD DREW. hahhahaha
June 5, 2008 at 8:01 pm
LOL…exactly. I remember being pissed at the Phillies for not signing Drew but in the long-run it was probably for the best with all his injury issues.
June 5, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I wonder if Shreve will sign. Seems like a promising arm if he does.
June 5, 2008 at 8:07 pm
The Sport Savant –
Actually, we were saying exactly the opposite last draft. They picked a lot of college seniors, including a 5th year senior, in the first 10 rounds. These were easy signs. On draft day, the Phillies picks looked well above average on signability. Only Workman didn’t sign and the word at the time was that he was signable right after the draft for around 2006 slot $. Phillies low-balled with the 10% 2007 deduct, most teams didn’t, and then Workman seemed to up demands as summer progressed. One of our easy signs, Tyler Mach, has even retired already. Strange for a 4th round pick. He signed well below slot, by the way.
June 5, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Shreve wants the same type of money Adenhart got as per Baseball America.
June 5, 2008 at 8:10 pm
I just watched Shreves tape over at MLB.com and he sat 92-93 on his FB but hit 96 a few times. His offspeed stuff is a bit wild and his delivery is very rough at times. He does this falling off the mound to his left on his follow through that looks a bit out of control. He could be good though.
June 5, 2008 at 8:18 pm
touche’ ALLENTOWN!! lol — and as usual, a “loosely scripted” post on my part is destroyed by the #s.
obviously the college srs are easiest (aren’t they) to sign, then JRs,
H/S are the tuffest w those college scholarships in hand. its is usually there that the phils will go above slot. regardless, tremendous post on your part.
anyone know how our boy workman did at UT this yr??
June 5, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Shreve had TJ surgery May 14 or 15, for those who did not know that.
He’ll be a tough sign. I’d say 30% chance they sign him.
June 5, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Thanks, Savior. That explains why his velocity got up to 96 this year but he only jumped up a round. I know TJ surgery is far more routine now than it used to be, but picking a tough sign who just had major surgery two weeks ago seems like an odd move.
June 5, 2008 at 8:47 pm
It may be an odd move but if he recovers and signs hes a steal… But why would he sign if he can recover and show off his stuff even more which could earn him more money?
June 5, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Bergeraj- You should ask Scott Mathieson why.
If Shreve never recovers he’ll never get signed. Signing now is the only guaranteed way he’ll ever get a bonus. Its a gamble he’ll have to weigh I suppose.
June 5, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Damn, I thought they were done after R5. Schreve is the most interesting guy they took today, IMO. I’ll explain why later.
June 5, 2008 at 10:00 pm
The TJ thing makes me a little less enthusiastic about the pick. I was wondering why a guy like that was still around.
June 5, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Article describing Jonathon Pettibone, sounds like what we expected from Julian Sampson. Also read somewhere that he led his league in strikeouts.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/highschool/news/263750.html
“Jonathan Pettibone worked a scoreless seventh inning for a save in Esperanza’s first-round win against Riverside High (Greer, S.C.), then scattered six hits and three earned runs over seven innings in the third round versus Palm Beach Central. His fastball was up to 91 mph, and his stuff and frame are projectable.”
June 5, 2008 at 10:03 pm
By the way, when I refernece Sampson, I mean a 6′5″ RHP, who’s expected to add some velocity as his frame fills out.
June 5, 2008 at 10:06 pm
It’s quite incredible for some fans to be so conclusive about something that is totally unpredictable, even by the people who know. The worst that can be said is that the Phillies drafted several players who were highrisk/highreward types. Depending on the day for some of the “evaluators” on this site that’s a good thing or a bad thing. I love this draft, and so will the bloggers who depend on traffic by tracking highly talented, interesting and potentially impactful players. I won’t try to contrast the reaction from last year over how “safe” our draft was.
June 5, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Whoops, spelled “reference” wrong…
June 5, 2008 at 10:19 pm
I am not so sure of how good a job Arbuckle has done with this farm system. We have no prospects at all at Triple A. Not even Happ qualfiies.
Reading is falling apart. Bastardo has come on hard times. Carrasco has never proven to be anything but a very long and distant “maybe”. He got shelled tonight. He is going on 22, in his second year at Reading and he still puts way too many people on base to be a quality prospect.
Carpenter has gone back to Clearwater. Castro is not a major league starter. Donald is at best a bench player. Even Golson who has some talent has some very bad habits ala Ryan Howard. Too many K’s. He doesn’t have a good idea of the strike zone and he is 22 now with a few years in the system, two at Reading.
Other than Lou Marson, who else is there that I can expect to see in Philadelphia and time in the near future?
Clearwater has some interesting people. Savery has taken a step back so we’ll have to wait and see what happens with him. But Garcia is a maybe showing some improvement. Same with Monasterios who may be better than we think.
Brummet did well at Lakewood but he is older with some college so maybe he just was ahead of them. Now he has to prove himself at Clearwater. Can he? I hope so but only time will tell.
Cardenas is a genuine position prospect so that’s Marson and Cardenas (2 positions where we don’t need help) and MAYBE Golson if you don’t mind another 150 K’s in the lineup. that’s about it.
That’s from over 50 drafees a year plus some free agents.
Over three years, that’s 50 new players pushing from the button up each year, 150 players. We should be doing much better than we are.
At Lakewood, I think Drew Naylor and Chance Chapman should be promoted to Clearwater so we can see what if anything they have at a higher level. They are outclassing Lakewood. Same with Michaels. Movce them up. Give them some rope and lets see if they hang themselves with it or use it to climb up the ladder. Time to say “put up or shut up”. this endless coddling is like salesmen who never “ask for the order” so they can keep ‘prospects’ on their books. The Phillies seem to want to play CYA so they keep bouncing these kids around even after it’s clear they have no real major league potential.
But the big team is okay so maybe they can win us something.
I don’t like to be negative but I am glad the major league team is pretty set. They can’t be looking down at the farm system for much help.
Oh yes, Howard is getting tiring with all those ridiculous K’s. He swings at almost anything and hits almost nothing.
How about this? Remembering the arbitration bitterness and anticpating more of the same next year, they trade Ryan, sign Burrell (12.5M), and move Pat to 1st base. They get a middle-of-the-rotation pitcher for Ryan and go with Jenkins, Victorino, Werth, Dobbs and Ichio and maybe a free agent or – if you want to take the chance – Greg Golson in the outfield next year.
It could happen.
joey
June 5, 2008 at 10:45 pm
It appears that the Phillies have made a significant change in their draft strategy from recent years. The first 8 rounds high school / total numbers
2004 – 2/8
2005 – 2/8
2006 – 3/8
2007 – 3/8
Today – 5/8
This to me would indicate a trend away from low projectible, easy sign players. However, they have yet to sign them.
Sorry to be a ray of sunshine to this group that is so eager to bash the Phils.
June 6, 2008 at 8:14 am
Shreve was a good pick. The odds of the average 6th rounder making it in the bigs (other than a guy who fell for signability reasons) is quite small. Certainly less than that of a talented guy like Shreve recovering from TJ and making it to bigs. I am concerned about Phillies rehab program. The abysmal recoveries from TJ by Mathieson and Segovia are red flags.
cgcrick — yes, a big turnaround from last season, when we had two college seniors in first 8 picks and a 5th year senior with 9th. One already retired. I don’t think folks are bashing the draft in general or the focus on HS talent, just not happy with our first pick, who is very raw compared to your average HS first-rounder and a real, real long shot.
June 6, 2008 at 8:47 am
my head is ready to explode
June 6, 2008 at 8:54 am
Why? You should love this draft John. A bunch of Golson clones with the first few picks.
June 6, 2008 at 10:18 am
Jeremy Hamilton sounds like Casey Kotchman to me… and that is not a bad thing
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