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Phillies: An early look at the 2018 MLB Draft Class

By John Town

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 31: NBA first round draft choice Markelle Fultz of the Philadelphia 76ers throws out the first pitch before a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 7-6. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 31: NBA first round draft choice Markelle Fultz of the Philadelphia 76ers throws out the first pitch before a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 7-6. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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The Phillies have the third overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. Who are some players they could take a look at with that pick?

The 2018 MLB Draft could be among the best since the loaded 2011 class that featured Gerrit Cole, Francisco Lindor, George Springer, Jose Fernandez, Sonny Gray, and Joe Panik, and the Phillies have the third selection. They could use that pick to cash in on this top talent and add a potential impact player to their team.

MLB.com released their top 50 draft prospect list, and the top ten is littered with pitching talent:

"1 Brady Singer, RHP2 Ethan Hankins, RHP3 Matthew Liberatore, LHP4 Nolan Gorman, 3B5 Shane McClanahan, LHP6 Nander De Sedas, SS7 Brice Turang, SS8 Casey Mize, RHP9 Ryan Rolison, LHP10 Jackson Kowar, RHP"

After taking an outfielder in each of the last three drafts, this is the perfect time for the Phils to take a pitcher. The best in the class is Florida’s Brady Singer, following in the footsteps of A.J. Puk and Alex Faedo. The righty offers two plus-plus pitches in his fastball and slider with a solid third pitch in his changeup. With a good season, he should easily go first overall. However, he may slide down to Philadelphia at No. 3.

Hankins is the top-ranked high school arm with arguably the best fastball in the class. It already tops out at 98 mph and could get even faster as Hankings develops psychically. He has strong command over that fastball as well. On the other hand, like many other high school pitchers with one dominant pitch, his other ones are under-developed. His changeup looks pretty good, but he still has to develop an effective breaking pitch to become a true top pitching prospect. Co-expert George Stockburger is a fan of the pitcher.

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Matthew Liberatore, the Arizona high school arm, would also be a solid selection. He doesn’t have one dominant plus-plus pitch, but all three of his fastball, curveball, and changeup are at least above-average, with the latter definitely being a plus pitch. His command and pitchability are what makes him such a highly-touted prospect.

If the Phils still want a position player, they will have to go the high school ranks.

The top position player is another Arizona high school product, third baseman Nolan Gorman. He is known for his power after winning home run derbys at both the All-Star Game and Under Armour All-American Game. The power definitely shows up in game, but so does some swing and miss. He has to work on his swing, but it can look really good at times.

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There are also two shortstops the team could go after to potentially be their next top shortstop prospect once J.P. Crawford graduates. Baseball America mocked Sanitago High School’s (Calif.) Brice Turang to the Phils in their first mock draft when the regular season ended. He is ranked No. 7 overall by MLB.com and has been compared to Moniak with a better track record. Turang doesn’t hit for much power, but he is above-average in every other aspect and a shortstop long-term defensively.

However, if the team values power more than a long-term fit at shortstop, Nander De Sadas fits the bill.

His power is considered plus by some with the makings of a strong hit tool. He has a strong arm and is a pretty good defender, but his lack of speed may force a move to third base. If the bat is anything like it is supposed to be, De Sadas should have no problem fitting there.

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That being said, everything at this point is a complete toss-up. A lot of things can change between now and next June. Moniak and Adam Haseley were barely in the conversation before having strong seasons in the spring, leading to their selection by the Phillies in the draft. This is merely an early look if nothing else.

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