Looking ahead to the 2018 draft

[Squire]

After an 0 for Saturday, Bohm had a big Sunday 2-5 ,HR, 3B, BB, 3 Runs, 3 RBI

[gmwannabe]

after looking back at previous drafts, the braves took allard in the 1st round in '15. he is knocking on the door. ian anderson (not the flute player) as the third overall in '16 and wentz as a first rounder also in '16. All are progressing very rapidly. that's it. if they can do it so can the phils, i'm for liberatore, no if's ands or buts.
gm

[fish]

I

He lined the ball the opposite field against the wall for his triple, smashed one down the left field line that the third baseman some how grabbed in foul territory and threw him out, and the homer was a bomb to left. Alec Bohm looking like he’s getting locked in again.

[kmc1019]

Last year's scandal aside, I want the Phils to embrace whatever evaluation approach the Braves are using in identifying draftees. Their system has both depth and blue chips who seem to excel and accelerate as they move up levels. Albies and Acuna will soon be joined by 3B Riley. Pitchers Newcomb and Soroka have arrived, with Allard on their heels and Anderson, Wentz and more climbing the ladder. With the disappointing performances from our last 3 1st round picks, the Phils might not be far behind the Braves in numeric rankings, but the gap is huge.

[fish]

Last year's scandal aside, I want the Phils to embrace whatever evaluation approach the Braves are using in identifying draftees. Their system has both depth and blue chips who seem to excel and accelerate as they move up levels. Albies and Acuna will soon be joined by 3B Riley. Pitchers Newcomb and Soroka have arrived, with Allard on their heels and Anderson, Wentz and more climbing the ladder. With the disappointing performances from our last 3 1st round picks, the Phils might not be far behind the Braves in numeric rankings, but the gap is huge.

I'm sure mine is a minority opinion, but I think the Braves have had trouble with their drafts as much as the Phillies have. It's a lot of depth but few blue chippers (draft-wise). The only real difference is that their early picks appear able to succeed in A ball and above. Newcomb was drafted by the Angels. Soroka and Riley look like really good prospects, but Wentz and Allard have underwhelming stuff, and Anderson and Wright are performing around league average. Acuna and Albies were signed internationally...by the Phillies Johnny Almaraz.

[gmwannabe]

big phils are in a good place for the next 2 days. c'mon Matt. work some magic and pick up a/more competitive balance picks from the O's. it's going to be a tough few days in early June if we have to wait from the 1st round to the 4th.
gm

[Squire]

Updated Fangraphs (McDaniel/Longenhagen) Mock Draft

1. Tigers - Mize (says likely backup options are Bart and Singer with Kelenic fading from contention)
2. Giants - Bart (with Singer and Swaggerty as the back up options)
3. Phillies - Bohm (with Madrigal, Swaggerty and Liberatore as the back-up options).

[bigegypt0417]

Updated Fangraphs (McDaniel/Longenhagen) Mock Draft

1. Tigers - Mize (says likely backup options are Bart and Singer with Kelenic fading from contention)
2. Giants - Bart (with Singer and Swaggerty as the back up options)
3. Phillies - Bohm (with Madrigal, Swaggerty and Liberatore as the back-up options).

I know it's completely logical for them to pick Bohm but I've really started to like Liberatore.

[kmc1019]

Agreed on Liberatore, bigegypt. I know a team should likely just go with whomever they assess to be best player, but - with fewer picks and less money this year - I'd like to see the Phils negotiate with Bohm and Liberatore and take whomever will sign for less.

Swaggerty scares me on account of our recent track record with OFs with "great hit tools". Also, not sure about his level of competition.

Teams and fans want Bohm and Swaggerty to be the next Bryant and Benintendi, but I think that is a leap that could end in disappointment.

[fish]

Teams and fans want Bohm and Swaggerty to be the next Bryant and Benintendi, but I think that is a leap that could end in disappointment.

It's true they aren't on the same level, but they are also better prospects than Randolph, Moniak and Haseley at the same point. There are quite a few guys that look like really nice options at 3 that as long as the Phils don't try to out-smart everyone, this should turn out well.

[Squire]

I think my current preference board is

1. Mize
2. Singer
3. Bohm
4. Bart
5. Liberatore

And I'd be ok with any of those 5.

[teabag259]

Right now I’m at

1) Mize
2) Singer
3) Liberatore
4) Bohm
5) Swaggerty

[zambonir]

c'mon Matt. work some magic and pick up a/more competitive balance picks from the O's

Heh, supposedly John Angelos values the draft and international market a lot more than his father did. But especially now, I'd imagine. Might be more fruitful to see who's talking to Machado during batting practice

[gmwannabe]

Yes. Again, Cowgill and Pouffle for him.

[kmc1019]

As much as I might wish for the Orioles to trade us a Comp Balance pick, I can't think of any reason why they would.

They are a team on the verge of a complete rebuild. If I were them, I'd want every pick I could get.

[Squire]

The Phillies have never shown any inclination or interest in acquiring a comp balance pick. I tend to assume that something will not happen until it happens once.

[zambonir]

Well the reason GM said that - and he was kidding anyway - is because the Orioles have been famously idiotic about their competitive balance picks. Which looks even dumber now that they've hit rebuilding. But yes, those day are probably over. For all teams I suspect.

[Lawman]

Not a first round pick, but would you take Luke Heimlich?

He's one of college baseball's best pitchers. He's also an admitted juvenile sex...

[allentown]

Yes, I'd take him with our 4th round pick. I believe one has to believe in the possibility of rehabilitation and redemption for those who commit offenses at age 15. Violent murderers stretch that belief, but the SC has determined life sentences or very long sentences into late adulthood, as unconstitutional even for 15-year olds who commit horrendous multiple murders.

[Lawman]

I'm with you. If he's there in an appropriate round (and from a baseball perspective I have no idea what that would be) I'd take him.