Monday evening could have heavy implications for the Phillies' future, and it has nothing to do with the club's game against the Reds. The 2015 MLB Draft kicks off Monday at 6 p.m., with the Phillies holding the 10th overall pick.
The Phillies currently have a pretty solid stock of pitchers in the farm system - especially in Double-A Reading - and could look to add a power bat at the 10th pick. There are few guarantees in the draft, however, so the Phillies could end up selecting another pitcher or going with the most talented player available, regardless of position.
The Phillies currently have a pretty solid stock of pitchers in the farm system - especially in Double-A Reading - and could look to add a power bat at the 10th pick. There are few guarantees in the draft, however, so the Phillies could end up selecting another pitcher or going with the most talented player available, regardless of position.
The Phillies canned Marti Wolever last September, and Johnny Almaraz will be taking the reins in this year's draft, a crucial one for a club likely to lose 100 games this season.
This year's draft is a bit crowded at the top, with no clear top pick, so the Phillies should have plenty of solid options available at the #10 slot. Some potential selections for the Phillies:
Kyle Tucker, OF, Plant High School (Fla.)
The younger brother of the Astros' Preston Tucker, Kyle Tucker ranks as the #7 overall prospect in the draft according to MLB.com. Tucker likely won't be on the board by the time the Phillies pick, but should he fall a few spots, the Phillies could very likely scoop him up. An 18-year-old left-handed hitter, Tucker has one of the purest swings out of this year's high school prospects in the draft according to MLB.com.
Tyler Stephenson, C, Kennesaw Mountain High School (Ga.)
Multiple mock drafts have the Phillies selecting Stephenson with the 10th overall pick in the draft. The #18 prospect in the draft according to MLB.com, Stephenson is considered by most to be the best catcher in the draft. As a result, he may not be there for the Phillies when the 10th pick rolls around. If he is, the Phillies could still choose to go with someone else out of fear of drafting an 18-year-old catcher.
Ian Happ, OF, Cincinnati
A switch-hitter, Happ hit .369 (nice) with 14 home runs, 18 doubles and a .672 slugging percentage in 198 at-bats in 2015 for Cincinnati. The #20 prospect according to MLB.com, Happ has experience as a second baseman as well, but would likely end up in the outfield as a pro. Happ may be a bit of a reach at the #10 pick, but he has the type of power the Phillies are looking to add to their system.
Jon Harris, RHP, Missouri State
MLB.com currently ranks Harris as the #10 prospect in the draft. Harris was 8-2 with a 2.45 ERA in 15 starts last season for Missouri State. The 21-year-old has a fastball in the 92-94 mph range coupled with a curveball, slider and changeup. The Phillies have some decent pitching depth in the farm system currently, but if they go with the best player available at #10, it could wind up being a pitcher, and Harris would be a solid choice.
These are just a few of the players that could be a likely fit for the Phillies. Should the Phillies choose to go for an outfielder other than Happ or Tucker (who could be off the board by then), there will be plenty of options available, including Trenton Clark (Richard High School, Texas) and Garrett Whitely (Niskayuna High School, New York).
Regardless of who they select, the big club is unlikely to feel their impact for a few years. That still doesn't leave much room for error when your franchise is this bad though.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
This year's draft is a bit crowded at the top, with no clear top pick, so the Phillies should have plenty of solid options available at the #10 slot. Some potential selections for the Phillies:
Kyle Tucker, OF, Plant High School (Fla.)
The younger brother of the Astros' Preston Tucker, Kyle Tucker ranks as the #7 overall prospect in the draft according to MLB.com. Tucker likely won't be on the board by the time the Phillies pick, but should he fall a few spots, the Phillies could very likely scoop him up. An 18-year-old left-handed hitter, Tucker has one of the purest swings out of this year's high school prospects in the draft according to MLB.com.
Tyler Stephenson, C, Kennesaw Mountain High School (Ga.)
Multiple mock drafts have the Phillies selecting Stephenson with the 10th overall pick in the draft. The #18 prospect in the draft according to MLB.com, Stephenson is considered by most to be the best catcher in the draft. As a result, he may not be there for the Phillies when the 10th pick rolls around. If he is, the Phillies could still choose to go with someone else out of fear of drafting an 18-year-old catcher.
Ian Happ, OF, Cincinnati
A switch-hitter, Happ hit .369 (nice) with 14 home runs, 18 doubles and a .672 slugging percentage in 198 at-bats in 2015 for Cincinnati. The #20 prospect according to MLB.com, Happ has experience as a second baseman as well, but would likely end up in the outfield as a pro. Happ may be a bit of a reach at the #10 pick, but he has the type of power the Phillies are looking to add to their system.
Jon Harris, RHP, Missouri State
MLB.com currently ranks Harris as the #10 prospect in the draft. Harris was 8-2 with a 2.45 ERA in 15 starts last season for Missouri State. The 21-year-old has a fastball in the 92-94 mph range coupled with a curveball, slider and changeup. The Phillies have some decent pitching depth in the farm system currently, but if they go with the best player available at #10, it could wind up being a pitcher, and Harris would be a solid choice.
These are just a few of the players that could be a likely fit for the Phillies. Should the Phillies choose to go for an outfielder other than Happ or Tucker (who could be off the board by then), there will be plenty of options available, including Trenton Clark (Richard High School, Texas) and Garrett Whitely (Niskayuna High School, New York).
Regardless of who they select, the big club is unlikely to feel their impact for a few years. That still doesn't leave much room for error when your franchise is this bad though.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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