Phillies Mock Draft: Experts Point to Pitcher Tanner Houck

Phillies eighth overall pick appears to be unanimous early in the process

MLB.com released their top-50 draft prospects earlier this week, giving Phillies fans a glimpse at who could be the organizations’ next star.

Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis of MLB.com ran their first mock of next June’s MLB Amateur Draft, and the Phillies eighth overall pick is an interesting one.

Both Callis and Mayo projected Missouri pitcher Tanner Houck in their first mock draft.

A 20-year-old righty born in Illinois, Houck stands tall at 6’5, and projects to be a “quick to the majors” pitcher like Aaron Nola coming out of LSU.

Callis: Philadelphia’s system is hitter-heavy, so a quick-to-the-Majors pitcher like Houck would make sense.Mayo: Houck’s hard sinker could be a very good weapon in the Phillies’ very hitter-friendly home park. After aggressively pursuing high school talent in the 2016 Draft, adding a more advanced college arm might not be a bad idea.

Houck earned unanimous Freshman All-American honors at Mizzou, and was also an All-SEC Freshman Team recipient.

Toronto originally drafted Houck in the 12th round of the 2014 draft, but Houck declined the offer as a high schooler.

As a member of the United States collegiate national team, Houck pitched a combined no-hitter with A.J. Puk and Ryan Hendrix against the Cuban national team.

Now entering his junior year at Missouri, Houck has a collegiate ERA of 3.23 with 197 strikeouts to just 39 walks. His numbers improved dramatically in his sophomore season, where his ERA dipped under 2.00, and he surpassed the century mark in both innings and strikeouts.

Next: Phillies 2017 Top Ten Prospects Ranked by BA

With months to go until the draft, much will changed in terms of prospects and needs. Should Houck be the eventual pick, the Phillies could have another top of the rotation starter on the expressway to Philadelphia.