The MLB draft is not as highly publicized as its counterparts in the NFL, NBA, or NHL. Most Prospects that are drafted in other sports are thrust right into the Big Leagues with little to no minor league development.
The MLB first-year player draft is significantly different. The draft is usually in the middle of the season. Players report to rookie ball shortly after with a very long road to the Major Leagues ahead of them.
Many players are fast-tracked to The Show, now more than ever, but still, spend some time in the minors
Drafting hasn’t been very kind to the Phillies over the last decade or so of drafts. Here is a brief history of Phillies’ first-round picks and how far they got in Baseball.
2012: Shane Watson, Right-Handed Pitcher, Lakewood High School (Lakewood California), 40th Overall (Compensation Pick for Ryan Madson)
Shane Watson was drafted by the Phillies in the first round of the 2012 MLB amateur draft, 40th overall, as compensation for Ryan Madson.
Watson was in the Phillies minor league system from 2012-2017. Making it all the way to Double-A in 2017 before going to play Independent Ball with Southern Maryland.
In his professional career, Watson went 15-24 in 86 games, making 62 starts. He posted a professional ERA of 4.10 in 320.1 innings while recording 232 strikeouts and allowing 333 hits.
2013: J.P. Crawford Shortstop, Lakewood High School (Lakewood California), 16th Overall
At the time he was drafted, J.P. Crawford was dubbed the heir-apparent to franchise great Jimmy Rollins.
J.P. Crawford made his Major League Debut in 2017 with the Phillies but only played in 72 games from 2017-18 with the Phillies before he was traded to Seattle in the Jean Segura trade.
Crawford slashed .214/.333/.358 with three Home Runs and 18 RBIs. He played plus defense for the Phillies, but his offensive numbers were lacking.
The Phillies traded him to Seattle for along with Carlos Santana for All-Star shortstop Jean Segura, and relievers James Pazos and Juan Nicasio.
In his three years with Seattle, Crawford has played in 306 games, slashing.256/.330/.368 with 18 Home Runs and 124 RBIs.
Crawford won a Gold Glove in 2020 with the Mariners and is their everyday Shortstop.
2014: Aaron Nola, Right-Handed Pitcher, LSU, 7th Overall
Aaron Nola was drafted by the Phillies out of college, a move the Phillies didn’t do very often. They frequently drafted players out of college.
Nola made his debut for the Phillies in 2015 and has been a mainstay at the top of their rotation since then. He has been the Phillies Opening Day Starter from 2018-2021.
In 17 starts for the Phillies, Nola has a record of 67-49 with a 3,68 ERA in 1023.1 innings.
Nola was The Phillies’ lone All-Star in 2018, which was his first and only All-Star appearance to this day.
In 2021, Nola tied Tom Seaver’s consecutive strikeout record with 10 straight K’s. He also became the fastest Phillies pitcher to reach the 1,000 Strikeout mark.
2015: Cornelius Randolph Shortstop, Griffin High School (Griffin Georgia), 10th Overall
The Phillies returned to drafting high schoolers in 2015 after having a college player make his big league debut a year after being drafted.
Cornelius Randolph was drafted by the Phillies as a shortstop in 2015 and was converted to a Leftfielder.
Randolph is yet to make his big-league debut. He played in Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2021 where he slashed .234/.323/.386 with five Home Runs and 20 RBIs in 48 games.
Randolph is currently a free agent and is not signed with an organization.
2016: Mickey Moniak, Outfielder, La Costa Canyon High School (Carlsbad California), 1st Overall
Mickey Moniak was the first first-overall pick the Phillies have selected since Pat Burrell in 1998.
Moniak was selected out of High School in 2016 and made his MLB Debut in 2020.
The Jury is still out on Moniak. He hasn’t produced much, but also hasn’t had much opportunity at the Big-League level.
In 29 total games over the last two seasons, Moniak is has slashed .128/.241/.191 with one Home Run and three RBIs.
Moniak isn’t a bust- yet. The Phillies are almost guaranteed to make a signing or two to fill vacancies in the outfield, but Moniak deserves to have a chance to earn a spot on the bench- or possibly a platoon spot in centerfield.
2017: Adam Haseley, Outfielder, University of Virginia Charlottesville, 8th Overall
Adam Haseley is an interesting pick for the Phillies with an uncertain future.
Making his debut in 2019 after Andrew McCutchen went down with a torn ACL in June of that season.
Haseley has played in bits of the last three seasons, totaling 166 games. He has slashed .264/.322./.373 with 5 Home Runs and 39 RBIs.
Haseley had only played in nine games in 2021 after being placed on the restricted list and taking leave from baseball. Haseley returned to the Phillies in May but did not play in the Major Leagues after his return.
2018: Alec Bohm, Third Baseman, Wichita State, 3rd Overall
Alec Bohm was selected third overall by the Phillies in 2018 as a Third Baseman. After struggles at the hot corner in 2021, he may be looking to move positions, especially with the Designated-Hitter all but confirmed for the National League.
Bohm was called up to the Phillies in 2020, finishing third in the Rookie of the Year award race for his efforts.
In 159 total games for the Phillies, Bohm has slashed .274/.333/.383 with 11 Home Runs and 70 RBIs.
Bohm struggled offensively and defensively in 2021 and even was sent down to Triple-A to fix those struggles.
Bohm is looking to have a rebound in 2022 for the Phillies under new hitting coach Kevin Long and returning infield coach Bobby Dickerson.
2019: Bryson Stott, Shortstop, UNLV, 14th Overall
Bryson Stott was selected 14th overall out of UNLV and quickly rose to the top of the Phillies Top Prospect list, where he is currently number two.
Stott is knocking on the door of the Big Leagues with high praise from reigning National League MVP, Bryce Harper.
Stott has been roommates with Harper since Spring Training 2021. Harper is a great mentor for the young prospect.
Stott is believed to be coming into Spring Training 2022 with a legitimate chance to be the opening day Shortstop, especially after Phillies President of Baseball Operations, Dave Dombrowski pubically said Didi Gregorius was NOT guaranteed the starting gig.
Stott moved through the minor leagues very quickly this season, starting in High-A and finishing in Triple-A before setting the Arizona Fall League on fire.
2020: Mick Abel, Right-Handed Pitcher, Jesuit High School (Oregon), 15th Overall
Mick Abel began his professional career in Clearwater for the Phillies A-Ball team at the tender age of 19. He is currently the Phillies’ top prospect with an MLB ETA of 2024.
In his Maiden Voyage in professional baseball, Abel went 1-3 with a 4.43 ERA through 44.2 innings in 14 games, all 14 being starts.
The Phillies’ top prospect will aim to start 2022 in Double-A Reading.
2021: Andrew Painter, Right-Handed Pitcher, Calvary Christian High School (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), 13th Overall
Andrew Painter was drafted 13th Overall by the Phillies in 2021 and is already the franchise’s 3rd top prospect behind Abel and Stott.
Painter made four starts in the Florida Complex League, Rookie Ball during the 2021 season. Painter started four games, going a total of six innings, allowing four hits, 12 strikeouts, no runs, or walks, without factoring in any decisions over his four starts.
Painter has an MLB ETA of 2025.
Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire
