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Phillies select OF Adam Haseley with the eighth overall pick in the MLB Draft

By George Stockburger

Jun 24, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Virginia Cavaliers center fielder Adam Haseley (7) scores during the fifth inning against the Vanderbilt Commodores in game three of the College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Virginia Cavaliers center fielder Adam Haseley (7) scores during the fifth inning against the Vanderbilt Commodores in game three of the College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phillies executives had a major decision to make with the eighth overall pick

With the eighth overall pick of the 2017 MLB Draft, the Philadelphia Phillies select Adam Haseley.

Haseley began as a starting pitcher, but worked his way into the first round as an outfielder.

The University of Virginia outfielder is the third consecutive outfielder drafted by the Phillies in the first round after Cornelius Randolph and Mickey Moniak preceded him.

A First-Team All-ACC honoree, Haseley drew comparisons to Seth Smith and Andrew Benintendi according to MLB.com after hitting .390 with 14 home runs in 223 games for Virginia.

Haseley followed up teammate Pavin Smith, who went to the Arizona Diamondbacks with the seventh pick. The outfielder was ranked as the third-best at his position by Baseball America.

Philadelphia is now stacked with outfield talent in the minor leagues, counting Moniak, Randolph, Nick Williams, Roman Quinn, and Dylan Cozens.

The draft started with a surprise as high school infielder Royce Lewis went with the number one overall pick to Minnesota. Cincinnati followed up with phenom Hunter Greene, who could play as either a middle infielder or a starting pitcher that can throw 102 MPH.

Pitchers MacKenzie Gore, Brendan McKay, Kyle Wright followed suit. Austin Beck, a high school outfielder then went sixth overall, and Smith went to the Diamondbacks after being heavily rumored to go to the Phillies.

Next: Best way to approach the MLB Draft

The Phillies won’t make their next pick until the seventh pick of the second round. Expect the Phils to target collegiate pitching in the second round, something they publically stated was a key need for them this year.

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