Philadelphia Phillies: 3 potential players worthy of the 14th overall pick
With the 2019 MLB Draft happening tonight, here are three top prospects that the Philadelphia Phillies could select with their first pick of the night.
Tonight the 2019 MLB draft will take place and start the long road for many young prospects. All 30 MLB teams are frantically trying to make sure they secure the right pieces to structure the farm system to lead the way for the future of the franchise.
At the 14th overall pick sits the 33-26 Philadelphia Phillies, which puts them in an adequate place to get a player with high potential.
It’s very likely the team tries to add a developing arm to eventually booster their bullpen. With the team only having five closing and relief pitchers with an ERA of at least 3.5. Compared to division rival the 32-27 Atlanta Braves, who have just three bullpen arms averaging at least 3.5 earned runs. As well as the 34-26 Milwaukee Brewers who also only have three relievers with a 3.5 ERA.
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Although it wouldn’t be an immediate fix, it wouldn’t hurt for the team to invest in a future arm for the bullpen due to this.
With that being said, the Phillies could hope to land left-handed pitcher Zack Thompson out of Kentucky. According to MLB.com, Thompson has received high grades from scouts for his fastball, slider, and curve-ball being rated 55, as well his change-up and control landing at 50, making his overall grade a 55. Although scouts see Thompson being a mid-rotation starter, the Phillies could hope to land him and try him out in the bullpen as well.
Another player the Phillies could select is MLB’s 23rd ranked Daniel Espino out of Georgia Premier. The scouts view Espino’s fastball highly giving it a 70 overall grade. This praise also extends to his slider, which got a 60 ranking. His curve-ball was able to land a 55 with his change-up and control getting a 50 having his overall also come out to be 50.
In the showcase circuit last year, Espino was able to reach the high 90’s and even broke Hunter Greene‘s record at the Under Armour All-America Game with a 99 miles per hour fastball. It’s also recorded that righty regularly throws between 94-97 mph and has reached triple digits with his heater. However, his control and command are noted to be inconsistent, making scouts label him more as a reliever; which could fit perfectly with the Phillies needs.
According to this MLB mock draft, the Phillies will draft shortstop Bryson Stott, their ninth-ranked overall prospect out of UNLV. Stott’s highest grade is his hitting at 60 with his arm, run, and field being ranked at 55 with his power coming in at just 45 for a 55 overall. Still, Stott is viewed as an all-around shortstop who is compared to Brandon Crawford on the Giants. Scouts praise Stott for his calm demeanor in the box with an advanced bat to ball skills. Although his hitting abilities are highly valued by scouts, they do find concern in his ability to play shortstop and feel a team with a better defensive player at that position will move Stott elsewhere.
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Who do you think the Philadelphia Phillies should select 14th overall in the 2019 MLB Draft? Let us know in the comments below.