Outfielder Blake Rutherford is one of the top prospects being considered by the Philadelphia Phillies with the top pick in the 2016 MLB Amateur Draft.
During this off-season, I am taking a look at the talented young college and high school players whom the Phillies might select with the top overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. My first two pieces focused on a pair of promising young south paws, A.J. Puk of Florida, and Jersey high schooler Jason Groome.
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While this draft seems to be particularly heavy on good pitching prospects, there are also some promising hitters whom the Phillies will be taking a look at as they do their homework for that #1 pick. One of those is high school outfielder Blake Rutherford.
Baseball Reference had Rutherford ranked #3 in an early 2016/2017 draft preview back in April of this year. Listed at 6’2″ and 190 lbs, he is described as a five tool player: good contact and power, speedy on the base paths, a strong arm, and plays good defense.
During his junior year at Chaminade Prep, Rutherford posted a slash line of .435/.602/.693, with four home runs and 14 RBI over 27 games played. He showed discipline as well, with 25 walks and just 7 strikeouts. His speed showed up in his stats line as well, as he recorded nine stolen bases.
Rutherford has a commitment to UCLA, but that certainly is subject to change should he continue to flash such strong hitting and speed during his senior year, subsequently finding himself selected near the top of the draft with tons of money tossed his way.
There has been much talk about how next year’s draft features many elite pitching prospects, and Phillies GM Matt Klentak has gone public with his assertion that pitching is of paramount importance to a strong, building program. However, it isn’t a foregone conclusion that the Phils will absolutely take a hurler with their number one overall pick.
Klentak has already stated that the club plans to select the best player available, be he from the high school or college ranks, or whether that player is a hitter or a pitcher. While a strong rotation is indeed of great importance to any contender, great hitters and speedy base runners are just as pivotal over the long haul of a season in trying to reach the playoffs. To this point in his career, Rutherford looks like a nice combination of those attributes.
The 2008 Phillies won their title thanks to outstanding pitching performances from Cole Hamels and a lights out bullpen led by closer Brad Lidge. But that team was, along with the late-70’s, early-80’s group, one of the two best offensive collections of talent in the franchise’ long history.
The lineup of that recent era featured a variety of talented hitters such as the franchise’ all-time hits leader Jimmy Rollins fresh off of an NL MVP season, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard in their primes, Jayson Werth with a great power/speed combo, veteran slugger Pat Burrell, and exciting speedster Shane Victorino wreaking havoc with his glove and bat.
Rutherford could be the type of player to make a quick impact with a rebuilding team such as the Phillies. He appears to have the tools to be a difference maker in a contending lineup. If he continues to put up strong offensive numbers during his senior season, it would not be a surprise for the Phillies to take him at number one overall next June.