We are less than 12 hours away from the MLB draft and uncertainty still surrounds the first pick. There has been chatter that the Philadelphia Phillies will select either University of Florida picture, AJ Puk, California high school outfielder, Mickey Moniak, or Mercer Univeristy outfielder, Kyle Lewis. A few other names to watch are Corey Ray from Louisville, Nick Senzel from Tennessee and highschoolers Blake Rutherford, Riley Pint, and Jason Groome. Groome, the Philadelphia area prospect, may be the most talented of this group. The lefty sits in the mid 90s and is about as physically impressive as anyone in this draft.
The Phillies have kept relatively quiet in the days leading up to the drafts and have yet to tip their hand as to who the number one selection will be. However, reports are that Philadelphia could forgo the most talented player in the draft in lieu of signing a player at below slot value. This, in turn, gives the Phillies more money to play with as the draft rolls on.
That being said, let’s take a look at how the experts think the Phillies will select:
Bleacher Report
AJ Puk, University of Florida, LHP
Baseball America
Mickey Moniak, La Costa Canyon High School, OF
CBS
AJ Puk
MLB (Jim Callis/Jonathan Mayo)
Callis: Mickey Moniak
Mayo: Mickey Moniak
Joe Giglio (NJ.com)
Mickey Moniak (full mock draft here)
Super Two Sports (S.P. Duckworth/J.P. McClatchy)
Duckworth: Mickey Moniak
McClatchy: Mickey Moniak
There is certain to be some more back and forth before the Phillies finally decide on their selection. However, if the industry consensus is right, Mickey Moniak will get the call.
