My original plan was to start by giving an overview of the draft, talking about the overall numbers and how they are different from the last two drafts, but I decided to kind of change course a bit. Instead, I’ll save that summary until the end of the line, and instead I’ll start at the back of the draft and work my way forward. I’ll go round by round, giving my thoughts on each pick. Since lots of the late round guys didn’t sign, I’m going to do the first few installments in big chunks. This is my plan;

Part 1: Rounds 30-50
Part 2: Rounds 20-29
Part 3: Rounds 11-19
Part 4: Rounds 1-10
Part 5: Overview of the draft/comparison to last 2 drafts

There is plenty to discuss here in each section. So lets get to it.

Continue reading 2008 Draft Recap; Part 1 →

Hey, its never too early to start talking about the 2009 draft, right? Law’s prelim Top 60, which I’m sure will change quite a bit over the next 10 months, features Phillies draft pick Kyle Gibson at #4. Kind of wish we’ed signed him. But anyway, you can check out the list here.

Here is the main 2008 Draft Picks resource. If you had more college stats or info on any of these players, please post it.

I’ll put the player’s name in BOLD after he’s signed. If you come across anything interesting on any of these guys, articles and the like, feel free to post them in the comments so I can eventually add the articles to the player’s respective Profile.

24. Anthony Hewitt, SS (Salisbury School, CT)
34. Zach Collier, OF (Chino Hills HS, CA)
51. Anthony Gose, LHP/OF
71. Jason Knapp, RHP (North Hunterdon HS, NJ)
102. Vance Worley, RHP (Long Beach State)
109. Jonathon Pettibone, RHP (Esperanza HS, CA)
136. Trevor May, RHP (Kelso HS, WA)
166. Jeremy Hamilton, 1B (Wright State)
196. Colby Shreve, RHP (CC of Southern Nevada)
226. Johnny Coy, 3B (Benson HS, MO)
256. Julio Rodriguez, RHP (Puerto Rico BB Academy HS)
286. Cody Overbeck, 3B (Mississippi)
316. Jean Rodriguez, C (George Washington HS, NY)
346. Michael Stutes, RHP (Oregon State)
376. Ryan (James) Weber, RHP (Central Clearwater Catholic HS, FL)
406. Brian Rosenberg, RHP (Louisville)
436. Michael Schwimer, RHP (UVA)
466. Damarii Saunderson, OF (Northville HS, MI)
496. Troy Hanzawa, SS (San Diego State)
526. James Murphy, 1B (Washington State)
556. Tyler Cloyd, RHP (No School)
586. Stephen Susdorf, OF (Fresno State)
616. Eryk McConnell, RHP (NC State)
646. Sean Grieve, LHP (William and Mary)
676. Daniel Hargrave, 2B (UNC Wilmington)
706. Brandon Haislet, OF (Hawaii)
736. David Noles, LHP (Columbus State)
766. Daniel Edwards, RHP (Kansas State)
796. Ryan Bergh, RHP (Old Dominion)
826. Chad Poe, RHP (Bossier Parish CC)
856. Jordan Ellis, RHP (Villanova)
886. Keon Broxton, 3B (Lakeland High School, FL)
916. DJ Henderson, SS (Southeastern HS, MI)
946. Spencer Arroyo, LHP (Modesto JuCo, CA)
976. Shaun Ellis, RHP (Polk CC, FL)
1006. James Simpson, 1B (Dowagiac Union HS, MI)
1036. Blaine O’Brien, RHP (Scituate HS, MA)
1066. Ruddy Rio-Nunez, OF (Edouard Montpetit HS)
1096. Michael Cisco, RHP (South Carolina)
1126. Matthew Johnson, OF (John W North HS, CA)
1156. Jarred Cosart, RHP (Clear Creek HS, TX)
1186. Joseph Pond, RHP (Judge Memorial Catholic HS, UT)
1216. Daniel Marrs, RHP (James River HS, VA)
1246. Michael Petello, OF (Scottsdale CC, AZ)
1276. Mike Bolsenbroek, RHP (No School)
1306. Bryan Frew, OF (Nebraska-Omaha)
1335. Charles Law, RHP (Mainland Regional HS, NJ)
1363. Justin Zumwalde, 1B (Sabino HS, AZ)
1390. Giovany Soto, LHP (Advanced Central College HS)
1417. Nathan Fike, LHP (Potomac State College, WV)
1444. Mark Ginther, SS (Jenks HS, OK)
1471. Michael Russo, RHP (Hun School, NJ)
1498. Josh Hake, RHP (Park University, AZ)

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College statistics

Michael Schwimer, RHP

2008: 26 G, 31.1 IP – 1.72 ERA – 19 H – 10 BB – 35 K – 1 HR – .178 OPP AVG
2007: 23 G, 39.0 IP – 2.77 ERA – 32 H – 12 BB – 38 K – 3 HR – .229 OPP AVG

Mike Cisco, RHP

2008: 16 G (11 GS) – 71.0 IP – 4.82 ERA – 93 H – 14 BB – 40 K – 7 HR – .314 OPP AVG
2007: 16 G (14 GS) – 86.2 IP – 3.84 ERA – 88 H – 18 BB – 74 K – 7 HR – .261 OPP AVG

Brandon Haislet, OF

2008: 229 AB – .389/.482/.585 – 22 2B – 1 3B – 7 HR – 50 RBI – 11/19 SB
2007: 215 AB – .335/.424/.493 – 18 2B – 2 3B – 4 HR – 39 RBI – 13/14 SB

Spencer Arroyo, RHP

2008: 14 G (13 GS) – 77.0 IP – 2.22 ERA – 81 H – 21 BB – 48 K – 1 HR – .270 OPP AVG

According to Baseball America, Cosart’s bonus was $550K, or essentially the recommended slot for the 73rd overall pick. I was going to just make a note of this in the bottom of today’s musings post, but this warrants its own mention. I can’t even begin to express how important this is. Add this to the Shreve, Pettibone and May signings, and the Phillies have made a clear statement.

Taken from an updated article on the Phillies.com website

The Phillies signed high-school right-hander Jarred Cosart, a 38th-round pick, in the hour leading up to the deadline. His fastball has been clocked as high as 94 mph.

This definitely came out of left field. I was under the impression, based on everything I’d read, that Cosart was unsignable. This is what BA had on him

As an outfielder, Jarred Cosart broke Jay Buhner’s Clear Creek High record for batting average this spring, hitting .506 to Buhner’s .480. But pro teams are more interested in Cosart as a loose, athletic 6-foot-3, 180-pound righthander. He reached 96 mph with his fastball in the fall, but he topped out at 92 this spring. He’s more of a project as a pitcher than he is as a hitter, as he has an awkward pause in the middle of his delivery that compromises his ability to throw strikes or refine his secondary pitches. He wanted top-three-rounds money to sign, which means he’ll likely attend Missouri, where he’ll play both ways.

So we’re talking somewhere around $400K or so, it would seem. It will be real interesting to see whether the Phillies want him to pitch or hit. This is a big signing on a lot of levels.

EDIT —>

PGCrosschecker’s most recent comments on him

Jarred Cosart is a 2008 OF/1B/3B/P with a 6’3”, 180 lb. frame from League City, TX who attends Clear Creek HS. Tall athletic build, outstanding raw tools, recorded highest velocity ever in a workout from the outfield, quick wrists at the plate, solid middle of the field contact, level swing plane, good raw hitting tools, great actions, solid footwork, unbelievable arm strength, quick clean arm action on the mound, balanced delivery, nice extension, sharp 11 to 5 curveball, curveball is an out pitch, nice sink and run on change-up, feel for three above average pitches, strong student, highest level prospect, potential early round draft pick.

EDIT #2 —->

I created a small chart to highlight the Phillies notable picks and how the slotting came into play. You can see it here.

The bonus figures for the first 5 rounds are estimates from BA in terms of the slots, the bonus amounts for everyone but Cosart are confirmed. The Cosart bonus is a pure guess on my part, but its based on what was given to Sampson last year, it could have been even higher. There is no real slot past the 10th round, and even bonuses from the 6th-10th rounds widely vary. This was a huge draft for the Phillies. Not only did they nab a big time arm in the 38th round, but they took a bunch of high ceiling guys in the first 10 rounds and signed all but one. Shreve is an easy guy to overlook because hes out injured, but before the injury he was considered a supplemental first round pick.

This was a huge draft for the Phillies. Huge.

If you find any articles talking about unsigned Phillies picks coming to terms, please post them here. I’ll do my best to check regularly and update this post as things develop, if anything develops. The Phillies drafted tons of high ceiling high school kids and have signed a few of them already, while also adding hard throwing college pitchers as well. I’ll have more thoughts on the draft after the deadline has passed. For now, just post here if you find anything and I’ll update as needed.

Unsigned picks

226. Johnny Coy, 3B (Benson HS, MO)
376. Ryan (James) Weber, RHP (Central Clearwater Catholic HS, FL)
766. Daniel Edwards, RHP (Kansas State)
886. Keon Broxton, 3B (Lakeland High School, FL) [Likely to sign?]
916. DJ Henderson, SS (Southeastern HS, MI)
1006. James Simpson, 1B (Dowagiac Union HS, MI)
1036. Blaine O’Brien, RHP (Scituate HS, MA)
1126. Matthew Johnson, OF (John W North HS, CA)
1156. Jarred Cosart, RHP (Clear Creek HS, TX)
1186. Joseph Pond, RHP (Judge Memorial Catholic HS, UT)
1216. Daniel Marrs, RHP (James River HS, VA)
1246. Michael Petello, OF (Scottsdale CC, AZ)
1335. Charles Law, RHP (Mainland Regional HS, NJ)
1363. Justin Zumwalde, 1B (Sabino HS, AZ)
1390. Giovany Soto, LHP (Advanced Central College HS)
1444. Mark Ginther, SS (Jenks HS, OK)
1471. Michael Russo, RHP (Hun School, NJ)
1498. Josh Hake, RHP (Park University, AZ)

Wow. Just days after reading that Pettibone had hired Scott Boras and things weren’t looking good, the Phillies come to terms with Pettibone, for somewhere in the neighborhood of 500K. And while I’m really happy about that, you’ve also got to love this quote

The Phillies could still lose seventh-rounder Johnny Coy and 12th-rounder James Weber. The team offered Coy, a two-sport standout at Arizona State, the chance to join the organization after the basketball season ends, though he appears to be leaning toward returning to school.

As for Weber, Wolever said, “I wouldn’t rule that one out. There’s definitely a chance. I’m optimistic.”

This draft, without any more signings, is a B+/A- for me. Add in Weber and its the most promising Phillies draft in….well….ever?

And here’s basically where we stand. The following players are unsigned

109. Jonathon Pettibone, RHP (Esperanza HS, CA)
196. Colby Shreve, RHP (CC of Southern Nevada)
226. Johnny Coy, 3B (Benson HS, MO)
376. James Weber, RHP (Central Clearwater Catholic HS, FL)
766. Daniel Edwards, RHP (Kansas State)
886. Keon Broxton, 3B (Lakeland High School, FL)
916. DJ Henderson, SS (Southeastern HS, MI)
976. Sean Ellis, RHP (Polk CC, FL)
1006. James Simpson, 1B (Dowagiac Union HS, MI)
1036. Blaine O’Brien, RHP (Scituate HS, MA)
1126. Matthew Johnson, OF (John W North HS, CA)
1156. Jarred Cosart, RHP (Clear Creek HS, TX)
1186. Joseph Pond, RHP (Judge Memorial Catholic HS, UT)
1216. Daniel Marrs, RHP (James River HS, VA)
1246. Michael Petello, OF (Scottsdale CC, AZ)
1335. Charles Law, RHP (Mainland Regional HS, NJ)
1363. Justin Zumwalde, 1B (Sabino HS, AZ)
1390. Giovany Soto, LHP (Advanced Central College HS)
1444. Mark Ginther, SS (Jenks HS, OK)
1471. Michael Russo, RHP (Hun School, NJ)
1498. Josh Hake, RHP (Park University, AZ)

At this point, I think Shreve is going to get done, and I think we will see Pettibone sign as well. Coy is not going to sign. I think Weber is 50/50, since his Florida commitment is now gone. But it will take above slot to sign him, and because Shreve will cost more than slot, its iffy. Do we have hope for anyone else? Could the Phillies surprise us and sign a guy like Cosart, Marrs, or Broxton? We have one month to wait and see.

KG is reviewing each division’s 2008 draft over at BP, and he did the NL East on Saturday. Here’s what he had to say

Draft Philosophy: Tools, tools, and more tools! Must have more tools! Enough to fill the shed!

First Pick: Anthony Hewitt, SS, Salisbury School (CT) (24th overall>
How High He Could Have Gone: There were some teams considering him towards the middle of the first round, but he was a very polarizing player. Some think he slotted well as a mid-first-round talent, others wouldn’t have touched him until the first 100 picks were already off the board.
Path To The Big Leagues: It won’t be quick. The best athlete in the draft is also one of the furthest away from the majors. He might not even be in Double-A by 2011, so be patient, Phils fans.

Rest of the First Day:
1. Zach Collier, OF, Chino Hills (CA): Expected to go about ten picks earlier; a touch less athletic than Hewitt, but a touch more polished.
2. Anthony Gose, OF, Bellflower HS (CA): A better pitching prospect, but he doesn’t want to pitch. As an outfielder, he’s loaded with tools, especially speed.
2. Jason Knapp, RHP, North Hunterdon HS (NJ): The pitching version of Hewitt. He’s huge and he throws very hard, but that’s about it.
3. Vance Worley, RHP, Long Beach State: A big-bodied pitcher with good velocity, but he has problems with his secondary stuff and control.
4. Trevor May, RHP, Kelso HS (WA): A projectable arm who needs refinement, but the ceiling is there.
5. Jeremy Hamilton, 1B, Wright State: The rare non-toolsy pick for the Phils–-he put up big numbers in college but doesn’t thrill scouts.
6. Colby Shreve, RHP, Southern Nevada CC (NV): Gifted with a plus sinker/slider combination, but he just had a Tommy John surgery.

Best Second-Day Selections:
7. Johnny Coy, 3B, Benton HS (MO): He May be more raw than Hewitt, but he’s 6’7″ and athletic, so there’s plenty to dream on.
8. Julio Rodriguez, RHP, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy (PR): Tall, projectable arm fits in well with team’s philosophy.
10. Jean Carlos Rodriguez, C, Washington HS (NY): Like most Philly picks, he’s raw, but he’s got a good arm and a ton of strength.