SS Nick Maton & LHP Jhordany Mezquita
Philadelphia went with a college shortstop two rounds in a row, this time taking Nick Maton from Lincoln Land CC. Maton started his college career at Eastern Illinois but transferred to Lincoln Land for his sophomore year.
The 20-year old Maton hit for a .408/.507/.722 line this season. He was a terror on the basepaths, stealing 33 bases in 35 attempts. Maton has the potential to stay on the left side of the diamond as well.
Brian Sakowski of Perfect Game offered the following blurb on Maton:
Jhordany Meqzuita may be the most intriguing draft prospect from Day Two if for nothing else than the fact that he isn’t associated with any school. The Phillies had originally signed him as an international free agent last year before it was revealed that he attended high school in America, making him ineligible to be an international signee.
Since Mezquita never played high school baseball in the states, no other team got a look at him. However, Philadelphia had him in their back pocket since they had scouted him internationally. The team thinks they found a steal in the eighth round:
"“Sal Agostinelli did a fabulous job on him and identified him,” said Phillies director of amateur scouting Johnny Almaraz, as he credited the team’s international scouting director. “We knew about him and we took him. We felt like that’s where the talent belonged. We got a really good lefthanded pitcher with power stuff. Throws 90-94 with an outstanding breaking ball with an ability to pitch.”"