Philadelphia Phillies: Looking Back at Draft Picks Since 2000
By Chuck Booth
Last year the Philadelphia Phillies used their top pick, number 10 overall, to select Cornelius Randolph, shortstop out of Griffin High School.
You may say, “Why would the Phillies draft a shortstop with J.P. Crawford on the way” and don’t worry they had that covered. Because of his age, they were able to shift him to the outfield so that he can learn a new position while he climbs the rungs in the minors.
Next: Five Players the Phillies could target at number 1
Randolph is a long way off from the majors but he is already ranked as the Philadelphia Phillies’ 6th best prospect by MLB.com. Here’s what they have to say on him,
"“Randolph has the tools and approach to hit for power and average. He offers bat speed, strength and patience from the left side of the plate. He uses the entire field and has better pitch recognition than most high schoolers. A shortstop in high school, he didn’t have the quickness to play in the middle infield. Some thought he’d profile well at the hot corner, but the Phillies sent him out as a left fielder for his pro debut. Regardless of what position Randolph settles into, it’s his bat the Phillies were buying and is what should allow him to climb the organizational ladder.”"
That’s a guy that projects pretty well to the majors if he can learn to be a competent defender in the outfield but at worst he will make good trade bait.