Looking ahead to the 2018 draft

[Squire]

I have to admit that I'm really curious as to how the Phillies approach Rounds 4-10 without a 2nd and a 3rd). I don't get the sense they will be saving much money with the 1.3 pick

[zambonir]

Well, that's the question, isn't it? If they like two players just about equally is one willing to take #5 money? Or are the #3 to #8 guys just clumped together too tightly (in terms of both talent and leverage) to expect that?

[andyb]

My sense is that probably only have 1 or 2 HS picks in the top 10 after the top pick, so maybe we balance 2 overslot deals against 2-3 college senior picks in the 8-10 range.

It is usually our pattern to want a Jake Holmes type in the 11th round, but not sure we have as much cash available to do that this year unless we are really conservative with senior signings. And BTW Jake Holmes is on the short list of guys I can't wait to see next month: Holmes, Ben Pelletier, Luis Garcia, Francisco Morales, Brayan Gonzalez, Victor Vargas, and of course Carlos De La Cruz.

[Squire]

I think that is pretty much right. I am only expecting 2 HS guys between 4-10. And they are likely off ranking a bit (like Lindow or Falter)

I think I may have got to the point where I'll be disappointed if we don't get Bohm at 3. Though I guess I'd be good with Bart or Singer

[gmwannabe]

Johny Almaraz was just interviewed on the draft and he said they are focusing on college pitching. he said they have been pretty good with middle top ten rounders and mentioned irvin. Smokescreen? you never know, but what decent college pitching would be available in 4, 5, 6 & 7? hopefully 2 hs picks in the top 10. probably off the radar types like squire said.
gm

[allentown]

he said they have been pretty good with middle top ten rounders and mentioned irvin. Smokescreen?

Perhaps a bit disingenuous, at least. They paid double slot value for Irvin in the 5th round. Not sure where they get the $400K to do that this year.

[Squire]

The Twins just gave up their competitive balance pick to get the Padres to take Phil Hughes remaining contract.

[Squire]

I wish I had heard Almaraz spin his track record.

[gmwannabe]

Don't think it was mentioned. my wife was talking to me on the second part of the interview, but i don't think i heard anything mentioned about the last 3 1st rounders.

[Austinfan]

It may make sense to focus on college pitchers who are good candidates to convert to RPs.
If you can't pay overslot, that's probably where the value is, and if you get #3 and a couple RPs out of this draft, that's still pretty good.

[Squire]

I'm bored this morning. Working off the BA 500

1.3 - Alec Bohm, 3B, Wichita State Univeristy
4.107 - Brett Finnell, RHP, Woodcrest Christian HS, CA
5.137 - Austin Bergner, RHP, UNC
6.167 - Jackson Goddard, RHP, Kansas

[gmwannabe]

Finnell sounds interesting. Would he sign?

[Squire]

Six days away....

[bigegypt0417]

has the draft always started on a Monday? I feel like it's normally the end of the week...

[fish]

I wish I had heard Almaraz spin his track record.

"We drafted certain players because we believe in their offensive ability," he said. "They're young. If you look at them as a whole, they're doing well. They're on track. We've been very aggressive with them. We feel very positive about them."

...if you look at them as a whole, they're doing well?? Maybe he means health-wise they navigated cold and flu season with aplomb.

[Squire]

There seems to be a growing consensus that the first 6 picks in the draft will all be college players (mize, bart, bohm, madrigal, singer and india).

[Lawman]

The Athletic has us taking Bohm:

MLB Mock Draft: Twenty-four beat writers and a former GM...

[Squire]

What were those rankings where last year's draft Phillies draft picks tended to be higher? KATOH? anybody find a 2018 college draft prospect KATOH ranking?

[andyb]

Update to Fangraphs "board". Not a mock. They have Bohm 5th and would rank him 93rd in the current top 100. They still love Madrigal BTW.

https://www.fangraphs.com/scoutboard.aspx?draft=2018mlb&type=0&pos=all&team=all

[bigegypt0417]

Update to Fangraphs "board". Not a mock. They have Bohm 5th and would rank him 93rd in the current top 100. They still love Madrigal BTW.

https://www.fangraphs.com/scoutboard.aspx?draft=2018mlb&type=0&pos=all&team=all

I haven't read many reports but is fangraphs alone in saying he shows elite 2B defense?