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Phillies and MLB Draft: History of the eighth overall pick

By George Stockburger

May 7, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) makes a throw to first for an out against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) makes a throw to first for an out against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phillies fans have some hope based on the history of the eighth overall pick in next month’s MLB Draft

Adding eight wins in 2016 pushed the Phillies from the top of the MLB Draft to eighth overall. They’ll likely miss the opportunity to draft top talent Hunter Greene fresh out of high school, but another rich class gives the Phillies a chance to stock their farm system.

The Phillies have never owned the eighth overall pick in franchise history, shining the light on how they’ve either succeeded or suffered.

Just because they never held the eight overall pick doesn’t mean they haven’t had run-ins with players taken with the pick. Pete Incaviglia and Wayne Simpson are the only two Phillies players taken with the eighth overall picked who signed with their team. Mark Appel and Dick Ruthven did not sign, and Appel went on to be the number one overall pick the following year.

Aug 18, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Jeff Francoeur (3) is congratulated by third base coach John Mizerock (12) after hitting a home run during the second inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Jeff Francoeur (3) is congratulated by third base coach John Mizerock (12) after hitting a home run during the second inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Mark Appel and Dick Ruthven did not sign with their clubs, and Appel went on to be the number one overall pick the following year.

Coch John Mizerock was also an eighth overall pick, taken by the Braves in 1979.

Perhaps the greatest player to be selected eighth overall was Todd Helton in 1995 by the Colorado Rockies. Helton became the first Rockies player to have their number retired after retiring as the franchise’s all-time leader in hits and home runs.

More recently the Cleveland Indians drafted Francisco Lindor, a major piece during the Indians pennant run. Lindor finished second in the rookie of the year ballot and ninth in the MVP voting last season.

Others have emerged out of this pick to have fruitful major league careers, including Mike Leake, Gordon Beckham, Drew Stubbs, and Felipe Lopez.

Next: Five Phillies prospects on BA's updated Top 100 list

Major League Baseball’s amateur draft begins on June 12 on MLB Network.

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