2021 Discussion in Preparation for the Amateur Draft – May 11, 2021

2021 Draft

This is the Phuture Phillies forum for the discussion of prospects eligible for the amateur draft that is scheduled to be held in 2 months (July 11-13, 2021).  You can place video, scouting reports, or just comments here.  You can reference these weekly discussions on the menu above.

Feel free to discuss the 2021 international signing period, too.  It began on January 15, 2021, and runs through June 25, 2021.

This space is for the discussion of prospects in the upcoming draft and international signing period.  This is NOT a place for you to complain about past picks/signings or the organization’s past/current draft and international philosophies.

33 thoughts on “2021 Discussion in Preparation for the Amateur Draft – May 11, 2021”

    1. I was thinking that the pick should be power OF or a college power pitcher, which I see available in many mock drafts.

      But I see you guys are open to speedy OFs, should we be open to HS pitchers?

      1. If I was running the Phillies, I would use my first round pick on the best, high velo pitcher every year, unless there was a hitter who is clearly, clearly better. But if it is close, I would go pitcher. And I would use my international pool on the best hitters.

  2. Cant figure out mock drafts, We are taken a short no power outfielder, Sixers are taking a non shooting forward, These mocks are stupid

    1. rocco….lol…..same was said about your fav. buddy Lenny D. 40 years ago when the Mets drafted him.
      Frelick was also a hockey and football New England HS star….that is a mentality this Philies team needs….plus he has the tools, power is his only tool that is probably a 45 -FV 50.

  3. Hinkie DL Hall a first round choice of Boston, what do you know about him? he has great numbers so far

  4. rocco … DL Hall was an Orioles’ first round pick a few years ago. He was actually working out at a performance center down here in South Jersey during the last year (during the pandemic). Same place Josh Hood and Chase Petty have been training. He’s a short LHP. Throws upper 90s.

  5. Just 4U, rocco. It’s my
    PHILLIES MOCK DRAFT 3.0

    ROUND 1: Benny Montgomery … is an uber athletic HS CFer with tons of upside. The York, PA area prospect has great size (6’4″/200 lbs), pedigree (one of the top players on last year’s summer circuit), and tools (above avg to plus glove/speed/arm/power). This season, Montgomery has toned down a funky hand drop in his swing, and is showing even more consistent (and hard) contact.

    ROUND 2: Gavin Williams … is one of the biggest, and hardest throwing pitchers in college baseball. The 6’6″/240 lb (used to weigh 255/dropped 15 lbs since last year) East Carolina RHP began his career as a reliever, but has ascended to the school’s Friday night starter this season. Williams packs a mid to upper 90s FB (has hit triple digits multiple times), two above avg breakers (CB & SL), and a CH. The big man has totaled 49 IP, 31 H, 15 BB, 79 K, 1.29 ERA so far in 2021. Williams is no stranger to the draft. The Rays picked him in the 30th round in 2017.

    1. ROUND 3: Andrew Abbot … is a fourth year college arm who reminds me a lot of Sean Doolittle: both UVA LHPs after being drafted out of HS, similar size, could start or work as a back of the pen reliever. Abbott is 6’1″/175 lbs. He uses a three pitch mix to dominate batters in the ACC. He sports a 13.2 K/9 vs a 2.9 BB/9 thanks to a plus SL with excellent depth, a 91-94 FB with real good life, and an avg CH that lags behind the first two offerings. Brian Barber knows Abbott well. He was part of the NYYs scouting department that selected the LHP on day three of the 2017 draft.

      ROUND 4: Tanner Allen … is an older (23 in July) COFer from Mississippi St who can really hit, can really run, and would come at a discount because of his age. The 5’11″/190 lb LHH is a career .330 hitter in college. This season, Allen is slashing .379/.463/.621. He’s been an xtra base machine (10 doubles, 4 triples, 8 HRs), and he’s also swiped 8 bases.

      1. ROUND 5: Damiano Palmegiani … is a power hitting 3Bman who can also handle a COF spot. The 6’1″/195 lb prospect has been nomadic. He was born in Venezuela, but grew up in Canada. He’s playing for Southern Nevada JUCO this season after spending one year at Cal St Northridge. He’s scheduled to attend Univ of Arizona in 2022 if things don’t work out for him in this summer’s draft. He’s slashing .401/.533/.878, he’s belted 21 HRs, and he’s done a great job of controlling the K-zone (29 Ks vs 30 BB & 21 HBP) this season, so the odds of him making it to campus at Arizona next season are long.

        ROUND 6: Mo Hanley … is a 6’2″/190 lb LHP from Division-3 Adrian College. He’s a former HS OFer who didn’t take to the mound until he got to college three years ago. The Tampa native uses a big leg kick (similar to the ones used by MacKenzie Gore and Anthony Solometo), a FB that has hit 97 MPH, 2 hard breakers (SL & CB), and a CH to tame opposing hitters. Hanley had registered 14.2 IP, 11 H, 9 BB, 27 K before his 2021 season came to a screeching halt with an arm injury that has sent him in for TJ.

        1. ROUND 7: Jordan Marks … is a 6’2″/220 lb RHP that controls the K-zone for the Univ South Carolina Upstate. He throws a FB with sink that hits 96 MPH early in starts, and settles in at 91-94. He also possesses a tight low 80s SL that he commands well, and a low 80s CH with solid fade and deception. The 22 YO Canadian has been a workhorse for the Spartans. He’s totaled 82 IP, 68 H, 14 BB, 87 K, 1.76 ERA in 2021.

          ROUND 8: Kevin Kopps … is one of the most fascinating prospects for this year’s draft. Kopps closes for Arkansas. He’s already 24 YO (major discount), and is studying to become an orthopedic surgeon. The Razorback RHP is not big (6’0″/200 lbs), but is a workhorse/has a rubber arm. He’s gone multiple innings on back-to-back (sometimes even back-to-back-to-back) nights this season. Kopps throws a low 90s FB, a low 80s SL, and a low 80s CH. However, his signature offering is his Bugs Bunny-esque CT that actually looks more like a “splitter”. That pitch has helped Kopps average 15 K/9 this year, and total 49.2 IP, 30 H, 13 BB, 83 K, 0.72 ERA.

          1. ROUND 9: Franco Aleman … was a well thought of prospect in HS. Atlanta chose him in the 38th round in 2018. The RHP chose school instead. The 6’6″/220 lb hurler threw for FIU in 2019, went the JUCO route in 2020, and is sporting a Florida Gator uniform in 2021. Aleman throws a lively low 90s FB, and avg SLs and CHs. Florida is using him as both a starter and a reliever. So far this season, the lanky RHP has gone 47 IP, 49 H, 17 BB, 47 K.

            ROUND 10: Hunter Stanley … is a 23 YO RHP senior sign who has moved from the BP to the rotation this season at Southern Miss. As a reliever, the 6’0″/190 lb hurler ran his FB up to 96. He’s mostly low 90s as a starter, and also uses a CB & CH. Stanley is a strike thrower. He owns a stingy 1.8 BB/9 in three seasons for the Golden Eagles. In 2021, Stanley has totaled 78 IP, 56 H, 15 BB, 96 K, 2.42 ERA.

            1. ROUND 11: Jonathan Santucci … is a cold weather prep prospect who may be flying under the radar. The 6’2″/185 lb OFer hasn’t been seen a whole lot because of COVID and a late start to the season in Massachusetts (where he lives). The LHH has a plus bat and plus arm. He’s a good student, and is scheduled to play at Duke next year … unless, of course, Brian Barber (or any other team) offers the kid a generous bonus. In this mock, the Phillies would save money on picks 4, 7, 8, 10 (and maybe 3) to help sign Santucci (and maybe a couple of other day three picks).

  7. Watched SJ baseball a long time. One guy matched hype when still I watch. Zac Gallen not only sat around 92 he was a pitcher not a thrower. I saw one of kids identified on an attached list. Matt Milkaski and I know he hit 99 three times in local college game also was around plate but not completely controlling zone. Also saw mason black and few others. Mason Black is a filled out version of Howard.

    1. Patso…..Black should be a 4th/5th round selection based on MLB.com projections..

    1. Thanks, catch. I do love following the draft. I’m also very excited for a second round pick for the first time in four years.

      And speaking of second round picks … Matt Mikulski (Patso mentioned above) could be in play at 2-49. He’s likely to go in the second round. He spent his COVID quarantine studying analytics to improve his spin rate efficiency and command. In the process, he also added 3 to 4 MPH to his FB. He’s a senior so he’ll help save some bonus money for high ceiling prepster later on. Mikulski does have some reliever risk because he’s mostly a two pitch pitcher right now (upper 90s FB/power SL). But those two pitches are pretty nasty. He gets a ton of swing and misses.

      .

      Mikulski reminds me a little of Ohio State’s Seth Lonsway: 22 YO southpaws w/crazy spin rates, and big K#s.

  9. The list of healthy arms available for July’s draft keeps getting thinner.

    .

    Webb was projected to go right around the Phillies 2-49 pick on most lists.

  10. .

    IMO … KLaw and Kiley McDaniel are the two guys most clued into where things stand with draft prospects.

    Law has:

    #28 Benny Montgomery (1st round pick in my Phillies mock above)
    #54 Gavin Williams (2nd round in my Phillies mock)
    #83 Andrew Abbott (3rd round in my Phillies mock)
    #89 Mo Hanley (6th round in my Phillies mock)

    Others of note:

    #1 Henry Davis
    #6 Sal Frelick
    #10 Sam Bachman
    #11 Brady House
    #12 Ryan Cusick
    #13 Jordan Wicks
    #16 Jackson Jobe
    #21 Anthony Solometo
    #23 Ty Madden
    #24 Andrew Painter
    #27 Jaden Hill
    #30 Gunnar Hoglund
    #32 Chase Petty
    #57 Jud Fabian

    1. Still has Fabian lower than expected or many mocks lately…….I still see him being taken somewhere in the first round/Round A selections….just maybe not a top 20/25 pick.

      1. Agree. I think Fabian has worked his way back into round one after making his two strike adjustment.

  11. After reading that piece, Jordan Wicks the lefty from Kansas state reminds me of Cole Hamels.

  12. Arms will keep going down because guys are taught and trained to throw harder than meant to be. TJ was not as good an option 20 to 30 years ago so guys learned to pitch and control zone. Now throw hard get drafted eventually get TJ with brand new ligament. Go throw hard throw 100 pitches in 6 innings.

    Guy on wip sorry was listening while working had best ide I heard. Lower mound get rid of live ball. More balls in play. Only real HR hitters hit homeruns

  13. From the weekend …

    * Jud Fabian … continues to work through his early season struggles after making a mid-season adjustment at the plate. The Florida CFer went 3 for 12 (2 HRs), 1 BB, 4 Ks vs Georgia this weekend. He’s upped his slash line to .267/.383/.634, and he now leads the nation with 20 HRs.

      1. Here’s the rundown on some of the college pitchers who could be in play for the Phils in round one.

        * Sam Bachman … had his worst game of the season on Saturday at WVU. The Miami, Ohio RHP registered 5 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 6 K. I saw the game, and to be fair, the HP umpire was squeezing Bachman, and the WVU official scorer made a puzzling decision to award a Mountaineer batter a double on a ground ball that the Miami 1Bman should have had (actually hit his glove while he was standing still). Two runs scored as a result. Bachman’s FB was mostly mid 90s, and for some reason, threw as many/maybe even more SLs as/than FBs.
        For the season, Bachman is now 48 IP, 25 H, 15 BB, 75 K, 2.25 ERA.

        * Jordan Wicks … didn’t throw too badly, but he lost to cross state rival Kansas this weekend. The K-State southpaw went 6.2 IP (118 P), 2 R, 6 H, 3 BB, 6 K. He did set the school record for Ks in a season during the outing.

        Wicks is now at 79 IP, 76 H, 24 BB, 102 K, 3.42 ERA in 2021.

        * Ryan Cusick … laid an egg Friday night. The 6’6″/230 lb Wake Forest RHP totaled 4 IP, 5 R, 5 H, 6 BB, 4 K in a blowout loss to Virginia. Cusick is now 62.2 IP, 59 H, 31 BB, 98 K, 4.60 ERA this year.

        BTW … Andrew Abbott (had him as Phillies 3rd round pick in my mock earlier in this thread) threw for the Cavaliers in that game. He was unworldly, and probably made himself some money. The 6’1″/175 lb “lefty” went 7.1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 14 K!

        1. Wicks with 118 pitches….I guess college coaches assume, since college starting pitchers get the extra 2 days off between starts, going over 100 to 115 or 120 is not detrimental to the health of their arms. There must be some analytics or science to it.

          1. Romus … that’s a pretty big problem in college baseball. Too many coaches put the team’s/their own success over the well being of their starting pitchers.

            1. Hinkie…for Wicks so far….79 innings pitched/13 games …1337 pitches….10 of 13 games over 100 pitches.
              If the Phillies take him…he probably will be shutdown for a month or so.
              K-State still has TCU to play and then their conference pay=offs then the CWS…..so Wicks should get at least 3 more starts (one vs tCU) and have far they go into the regionals if they make it.

  14. I would not automatically buy into home run totals in southern schools including SEC. 1 their stadium dimensions are a joke compared to north east. 2 their season is played in spring summer conditions while north east is winter like and windy. Every stadium I visited this spring in northeast prevailing wind was blowing in from left field. 3 southern teams play a lot more games including mid weeks against lower level pitchers

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