That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies MLB Mock Draft: Two faces gaining traction in the Draft

By George Stockburger

Jun 17, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Florida Gators pitcher Alex Faedo (21) throws the ball against the Miami Hurricanes in the first inning 2015 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Florida Gators pitcher Alex Faedo (21) throws the ball against the Miami Hurricanes in the first inning 2015 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phillies fans are keying in on the MLB Draft as the team falls further down the standings

Mock Drafts from Baseball America and Keith Law have constantly connected the Phillies to Virginia first baseman Pavin Smith. Finally, both sides are seeing the light and moving past Smith as a guy the Phillies can get with the eighth overall pick.

Baseball America has settled in on Florida pitcher Alex Faedo, a junior who has picked up 298 strikeouts in 256.1 career innings.

I’ve personally favored the idea of taking a collegiate pitcher considering their likely to be on a fast track to the major leagues. The organization went this route with Aaron Nola out of LSU and could do the same with Faedo.

Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies /

Philadelphia Phillies

Keith Law, on the other hand, stuck with an impact bat for the Phillies. Law projects the Phillies to select, for the second consecutive year, a high school outfielder. Austin Beck is coming off a three-home run game in a recent North Carolina high school tournament and has plenty of attributes professional teams will love.

His bat speed in unbelievably quick and evaluators love a lot with his game despite an ACL injury forcing him to miss significant time in high school.

Perfect Game gives this evaluation of Beck going into the MLB Draft, with one of their writers hearing comparisons to Mike Trout.

"Prototypical center field build and profile, moves very well, ran a 6.64 60-yard dash. Good outfield actions, gets behind ball and works through with advanced footwork and quick transfer and release. Good arm strength with easy carry on throws. Right handed hitter, high hands set with deeper load, can get out onto front foot early at times. Very good bat speed, gets through zone quickly and shows strength, carry off of the barrel. Very loose hands, quick wrists, shows ability to use the entire field and drive balls into the gaps. Good student. Verbal commitment to University of North Carolina."

Taking Beck would signal the team simply going with the best player available, which at this stage of the rebuild makes sense. If the future outfield in Philadelphia has Beck with number one overall pick Mickey Moniak fans will rejoice.

Next: Why the prospects aren't here

The MLB Draft begins on June 12 on the MLB Network and runs through the 14th.

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