Just another Phillies square peg in a round hole. Almaraz had a very solid rep running an international scouting organization. We decided that translated into running the draft. We need help on the international side. Couldn't Almaraz, who likely still knows some of the key buscones - the guys repping the future stars we never seem to get a sniff at, despite a willingness to spend $4 mill for a prospect who really excites us. You have to score on your big $ bonuses -- both draft and internationally. In general we haven't. Sal is the master of the low $, developable talent hidden almost-gem, but he has whiffed when it comes to the big signings. To succeed we need to do both well. Let Sal keep doing what he does well and involve Almaraz in lining up some mega-talents.
In fairness to Almaraz, our recent drafts do seem better. Let's be honest, the Phillies have absolutely stunk at drafting first round H.S. position players. Either learn what's wrong or stop drafting them. We've done a lot better with college players and have some luck with Hamels, Drabek as H.S. pitchers, although that's quite a while ago. Our problems with first round H.S. position players goes back seemingly forever.
