Phillies: Early mock draft predicts third overall pick

How should the Phillies address the third overall pick next summer

The Phillies’ 66-win season has resulted in the third overall pick in the 2018 MLB Amateur Draft. Conventional thought is to focus on building the pitching staff by finding either an established college starter or a growing high school phenom.

Baseball America, the gold standard in baseball scouting, went a slightly different route in their first predictions going into the offseason.

While acknowledging the need for a starting pitcher the scouting network chose a high school middle infielder from California.

Here’s a portion of the explanation from Baseball America:

“if the organization liked Moniak, it should love Brice Turnag, who has a similar profile but a longer track record, big league bloodlines and the ability to play shortstop.”

Turnag is another pure hitter, something the organization has favored in recent years with Mickey Moniak and Adam Haseley. However, does the need fit the organization, not just this year but over the next 10-15?

Considering there’s already a logjam at shortstop with Freddy Galvis and J.P. Crawford, not really. Beyond those two the organization has prospects Malquin Canelo and Luis Garcia, who’s just 17-years-old.

Baseball America highlighted several collegiate starters, including Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar,  Shane McClanahan, Ryan Rolison, Casey Mize, and Logan Gilbert.

The top high school pitcher, and someone who’s caught my eye, is Ethan Hankins in Georgia. His fastball is dominant but the breaking pitches needs some work and consistency.

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Any pitchers will do in this organization as they prepare for the future. Top prospects Sixto Sanchez and Franklyn Kilome are not close to making their debuts and Nick Pivetta, Ben Lively, and Jake Thompson are nothing more than mediocre starters at best.