I have debated writing draft retrospectives for a while but the question has always been, where do I begin?  I have debated going all the way back to the Jimmy Rollins draft but those drafts were incredibly thin and become rather boring after a while.  Seeing the 2007 draft as the first draft James covered for this site it seemed as good a place as any to start.  Obviously I am not going to touch on every player here, but there are some highlights at low lights a plenty in the 2007 draft.

Round 1 Pick 19 – Joe Savery – LHP – Rice

Savery at the time was the ultimate boom bust pick.  In his freshman year Savery was the top freshman in the country and one of the most dominating pitchers in college baseball.  His next two seasons were marred by injuries but when on he flashed at least three plus pitches on a workhorse frame.  The problem is the velocity never came back and the secondary stuff regressed.  By the time Savery reached AAA he was little more than a minor league innings eater.  Savery then spent a year trying to hit, before he returned the mound with renewed velocity and a usable slider.  Since then Savery has started to salvage and put together a career as a fringe LH reliever.  2014 Outlook: LHV and Philly Continue reading Drafts Revisted: 2007 →

I’m transferring all of the information previously found on the page at the top of the blog onto a post that can be archived under the 2007 draft tag.

Here you’ll find a list of our draftees, in the order in which they were drafted. You’ll find his info, and then links to any articles about him and his selection by the Phillies. Players in BOLD have signed. Bonus amounts listed when given.

01.19 – Joe Savery, LHP (Rice University) – 6′3, 215 lbs – 11/4/85. Article #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,
01.37 – Travis D’Arnaud, C (Lakewood HS) – 6′2, 195 lbs – 2/10/89. Article #1, #2,
02.19 – Travis Mattair, 3B (Southridge HS) – 6′5, 210 lbs – 12/21/88. Article #1, #2, #3,
03.13 – Brandon Workman, RHP (Bowie HS) – 6′4, 195 lbs – 8/13/88.
03.19 – Matthew Spencer, LF (Arizona State) – 6′4, 225 lbs – 1/27/86.
04.19 – Tyler Mach, 2B (Oklahoma State) – 6′1, 195 lbs – 12/11/84. Article #1,
05.19 – Michael Taylor, RF (Stanford University) – 6′6, 250 lbs – 12/19/85. Article #1,
06.19 – Matthew Rizzotti, 1B (Manhattan College) – 6′5, 235 lbs – 12/24/85. Article #1
07.19 – Tyson Brummett, RHP (UCLA) – 6′2, 180 lbs – 8/15/84. Article #1, #2,
08.19 – Chance Chapman, RHP (Oral Roberts) – 6′4, 210 lbs – 2/27/84. Article #1
09.19 – Chris Kissock, RHP (Lewis and Clark State) – 6′4, 195 lbs – 5/2/85.
10.19 – Joseph Rocchio, RHP (Cal St Northridge) – 6′5, 200 lbs – 10/15/84.
11.19 – Justin DeFratus, RHP (Ventura College) – 6′4, 215 lbs – 10/21/87.
12.19 – Julian Sampson, RHP (Skyline HS) – 6′5, 210 lbs – 1/21/89.
13.19 – Luke Wertz, RHP (U Nebraska, Lincoln) – 6′0, 175 lbs – 9/20/85. Article #1
14.19 – Jesus Andino Villegas, SS (Porterville College) – 5′11, 175 lbs – 9/21/86. Article #1, #2, #3
15.19 – Karl Bolt, 1B (US Air Force Academy) – 6′3, 220 lbs – 8/16/85. Article #1, #2, #3
16.19 – Brian Schittler, RHP (College of Charleston) – 6′5, ?? – 12/21/85. Article #1, #2, #3
17.19 – Zach Sterner, RHP (Tennessee Wesleyan) – 6′1, 180 lbs – 11/7/85. Article #1, #2, #3
18.19 – Mark Adzik, LHP (William Penn Charter School) – 6′4, ?? – 4/23/88. Article #1, #2, #3
19.19 – Cedric Johnson, CF (Thatcher HS) – 6′2, 185 lbs – 1/10/89. Article #1, #2, #3
20.19 – Carlos Moncrief, RHP (Hillcrest Christian HS) – 6′1, 210 lbs – 11/3/88. Article #1, #2, #3
21.19 – Adam Sorgi, 2B (Stanford University) – 6′1, 180 lbs – 12/17/84. Article #1, #2, #3
22.19 – Nathaniel “Jiwan” James, RHP (Williston HS) – 6′4, 180 lbs – 4/11/89. Article #1, #2, #3
23.19 – Gerard Breslin, RHP (La Salle U) – 6′2, 205 lbs – 7/24/84. Article #1, #2, #3
24.19 – Caleb Magnum, C (North Carolina State) – 5′11, 185 lbs – 1/3/85. Article #1, #2, #3
25.19 – William Harris, LHP (Deleware) – 6′1, 200 lbs – 1/19/85. Article #1, #2, #3
26.19 – Nolan Mulligan, RHP (Lynn University) – 6′5, 190 lbs – 1/30/85. Article #1, #2, #3
27.19 – Richard Austin, RHP (Seton Hill U) – 6′3, 210 lbs – 1/16/85. Article #1, #2, #3
28.19 – Chris Rhoads, RHP (U of Arkansas, Fayetteville) – 6′1, 160 lbs – 8/12/85. Article #1, #2
29.19 – Derek Hall, C (El Dorado HS) – 6′2, 195 lbs – 3/23/89. Article #1, #2, #3
30.19 – Jacob Diekman, LHP (Cloud County CC) – 6′4, ?? – 1/21/87. Article #1, #2, #3
31.19 – Jeff Richard, RHP (Central Michigan U) – 6′5, 245 lbs – 8/27/86. Article #1, #2, #3
32.19 – Kirk Bacsu, C (U of Evansville) – 5′10, 180 lbs – 5/16/85. Article #1,
33.19 – Richard Prall, C (La Salle U) – 6′0, 210 lbs – 1/29/85. Article #1, #2, #3
34.19 – Brett Hambright, C (Temescal Canyon HS) – 6′1, 215 lbs – 11/29/88. Article #1, #2, #3
35.19 – Zach Cleveland, RHP (Golden HS) – 6′1, 165 lbs – 3/5/89. Article #1, #2, #3
36.19 – Kyle Benoit, RHP (Cardinal Leger SS) – 5′11, 200 lbs – 2/9/89. Article #1, #2, #3
37.19 – Kyle Slate, RHP (Christian Brothers Academy) – 6′5, 200 lbs – 4/23/89. Article #1, #2, #3
38.19 – Joe Paylor, CF (Hillcrest HS) – 5′10, 160 lbs – 1/17/89. Article #1, #2, #3
39.19 – Michael Branham, RHP (U Florida) – 6′3, 210 lbs – 6/24/86. Article #1, #2, #3
40.19 – John Hinson, SS (AC Reynolds HS) – 6′1, 195 lbs – 9/13/88. Article #1, #2, #3
41.19 – Tyler Gilder, RHP (Butte HS) – 6′6, 200 lbs – 4/17/89. Article #1, #2, #3
42.19 – James Mahler, RHP (Jordan HS) – 6′5, 230 lbs – 9/2/88. Article #1, #2, #3
43.19 – Cory Vaughn, RF (Jesuit HS) – 6′3, 215 lbs – 5/1/89. Article #1, #2, #3
44.19 – Brandon Bonner, RHP (Lakewood HS) – 6′5, 220 lbs – 3/16/89. Article #1, #2, #3
45.19 – Michael Morrison, 1B (Bishop Luers HS) – 6′1, 220 lbs – 3/17/88. Article #1, #2, #3
46.19 – Damian Seguen, RHP (North Bergen HS) – 6′2, 220 lbs – 4/25/89. Article #1, #2, #3
47.19 – Jeremiah Manning, RF (Bartow HS) – 6′4, 220 lbs – 10/2/88. Article #1, #2, #3
48.19 – Cody Winiarski, RHP (Union Grove HS) – 6′3, 190 lbs – 8/27/89. Article #1, #2, #3
49.19 – Navarro Hall, CF (Kennesaw Mountain HS) – 5′11, 170 lbs – 1/1/89. Article #1, #2, #3
50.19 – Jeremy Penn, RHP (All Saints Cathedral School) – 6′3, 160 lbs – 12/15/89. Article #1, #2, #3

Decent. And here’s why I think it’s a decent draft. In the first 10 rounds, the Phillies made more low ceiling picks than high risk/high reward picks. Joe Savery is a good gamble if he can regain his pre injury form, but not everyone is convinced he can do that. d’Arnaud and Mattair are prep prospects with big ceilings, and patience will be needed to see how they develop. Four of the next five picks, however, represent low ceiling, affordable guys. The Phillies took Spencer, Mach, Taylor, Rizzotti and Brummett in rounds 3-7, and of that group, the only guy with a high ceiling is Taylor, and he’s always been the “tools are there, just not the results” guy. Mach and Brummett signed for well below slot, the others right around slot. To make matters worse, the Phillies finished the first 10 rounds with 3 more low ceiling college guys, Chapman, Kissock, and Rocchio. The problem with this, is that the Phillies only took 3 potential above average starting players with their first 10 picks, and they were the first 3 guys taken. The guy with the next highest ceiling is Brandon Workman, and he’ll be at Texas for 3 years.

Continue reading The 2007 draft, in one word →

* The Phillies signed Julian Sampson to an above slot deal ($390,000)

* The Phillies signed Jiwan James to an above slot deal ($150,000)

* The Phillies signed Jacob Diekman to an above slot deal (unknown)

* The Phillies signed Kyle Slate and Cedric Johnson, two prep prospects. Slate was given an $80,000 dollar bonus, plus $80,000 towards a college education should he later pursue that. For comparison’s sake, Tyler Mach got $95,000 in an under slot deal in the 4th round, while Tyson Brummett got $25,000 as a 7th round pick. No bonus amount has been published that I’ve seen on Johnson.

* The Phillies did not sign Brandon Workman, and will receive a compensation pick between the 3rd and 4th round of next year’s draft.

So, how’d they do? I’m planning a more in depth piece looking at the other NL East teams and how they did in the draft, as well as comparing the Phillies to a few other teams on both ends of the spectrum. But, weigh in, share your thoughts on this draft. Just remember to be civil.

I love being wrong about things like this, but the Phillies handed over the money and got the deal done. Per Baseball America

There were two above-slot signings of late-round picks. The Phillies landed Washington high school righthander Julian Sampson (12th round) for $390,000, while the Rangers locked up California prep righty Kyle Ocampo (13th round) for $250,000.

MLB wants picks after the fifth round to receive no more than the last slotted bonus in the fifth round, which was $123,300 this year.

So far, so good. If it was only going to be one of either Sampson or Workman, I wanted Sampson, so this is a good start.

UPDATE: There was a question as to compensation for the lost 3rd round pick, and I have confirmed that we’d get a pick in a new compensatory round between the 3rd and 4th round if we didn’t sign Workman, we wouldn’t get the same pick (ie, the 12th) in next year’s draft.

That’s the big question we face, with the signing deadline tomorrow. It’s nothing new at this point, our two best unsigned prospects are Brandon Workman and Julian Sampson, both RHP. Workman is a 3rd round pick, and if he doesn’t sign, the Phillies receive a compensation pick in next year’s draft, which I believe will come between the 3rd and 4th rounds. If Sampson does not sign, the Phillies receive nothing but a thank you note from the Commish. If you’ve been following my blog and my writings, you know where I stand on this. As a front office, you have two decisions; you either play by the unofficial rules, or you do what you want. The Commissioners Office makes recommendations on slot bonuses, but if you follow the proper path, you can sign a player for whatever you want. A lot of teams do not go against the wishes of the Commissioner, but some teams do, and the most notable team of late is the Detroit Tigers.

Continue reading One day to go, will they or won’t they? →

The August 15th deadline is just 2 days away, and the Phillies two best unsigned prospects remain Brandon Workman and Julian Sampson. An article in the CourierPostOnline this morning said this

Phils work to sign players: In terms of the big picture, the Phillies have been very successful signing their top 30 draft picks in each of the last two seasons. This year, with the August 15 deadline looming, they are six short of a perfect 30-for-30 with a pair of big prizes still on the board.

The Philies No. 3 pick Brandon Workman – a 6-foot-4 right hander – and No. 12 pick Julian Sampson – a 6-foot-5 right hander – remain unsigned with college commitments in their back pockets. The two high school pitchers could push this draft over the top but that remains to be seen as the deadline will strike at 11:59 est.

“I think the best way to put this is we’re working on multiples,” assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle said. “In the end, it comes down to who is willing to sign.

“(Scouting director Marti Wolever and his staff) are prepared to work right up to that final minute. You’d like to sign every draft choice but, for example, a third-round talent has to be willing to be paid third-round dollars. We have to decide to direct dollars to get the most done.”

Workman is set to attend the University of Texas and seemed to be picked higher than most teams would have been willing to go. Sampson meanwhile according to one scouting report has “a good arm, good mechanics and the kind of projection scouts look for in high school pitchers.”

The Phillies have labored in the lower end of farm systems and have attempted to replenish a very thin system over the past two seasons. To that end, they drafted 31 pitchers in their 52 selections.

It looks like we’ll just have to see how much resolve Workman and Sampson have. 3rd round money is in the $500k range, and my gut tells me that Sampson wants more like $750k. The Phillies would be best served to take the money for Workman, plus a few dollars, and give it to Sampson. If they do this and don’t sign Workman, they get another 3rd rounder next season as compensation. We’ll see what happens, stay tuned.

The dust has settled a bit, there are a few big unknowns remaining. How would you rate or grade this draft? You can give two assessments;

1. We sign no one else

2. We sign either Workman, Sampson, Moncrief, etc etc, or we sign a combination of them.

Feel free to explain your answers. It’s impossible to really know how things will shake out for 3 or 4 years, but we can assess what we know so far.

Thanks to SQUIRE for posting this article in a previous post.

With the signing of Savery, the Phillies have now signed 17 of their first 19 picks and all but seven of their first 33 selections. They also expressed confidence that they will be able to come to terms with right-hander Brandon Workman (the No. 3 selection), right-hander Julian Sampson (No. 12) and center fielder Cedric Johnson (No. 19), but all three high school players need to be signed by Aug. 15.

I’m going to try to get a bit more info on Johnson, and if I can hunt it down today, I’ll update this post. I’d be happy with this haul here, and I’d upgrade the draft to a solid B.

Before we look at some of our draftees, I wanted to give everyone a heads up. Yesterday’s Bill Conlin post has prompted some great discussion. I feel like I should clarify a few things. I do stand by my description of Bill. He is an old, angry, bitter man. Just take a look at some of the responses he sent back to people who e-mailed him….what kind of professionalism is that? The reason I brought up the article yesterday is because it was focusing on Kyle Drabek, and failed Phillies pitching prospects. Drabek was unfairly labeled as being “finished” and tossed in the trash bin with guys like Pat Combs, and I felt that was grossly unfair. Conlin had an idea, he spouted off about it, but I have a feeling he didn’t even bother to look up the facts. So, over the next few days, I’m going to go through the first round of the June draft for every MLB team over the last 35 years and take a look at the fate of the pitchers taken first by their teams. Then we’ll see how “bad” the Phillies track record really is. And one more note; I don’t really write things just to get people to come here. I don’t have any ads on my site, I don’t make a dime off of this, I only do it because it’s fun. Over the last 4 months, I’ve been averaging about 2,000 hits a day. If someone links to me on another board, I get a few more, but I rarely even look at it. I enjoy writing about the Phillies minor leagues, I say my piece, and I’m grateful for those who come and read. However, I don’t try to create controversy to get more hits, and I’m not trying to sell anything, I just speak my opinion.

Now, let’s look at the performance of a few of our draftees…

Continue reading 2007 Draftees Update →