Phillies select third baseman Alec Bohm with No. 3 overall pick
The Phillies took Wichita State third baseman Alec Bohm with the third overall pick in this year’s draft. The hard-hitting third baseman is a great pickup.
After some debate over who the Phillies would pick No. 3 overall, they selected Wichita State third baseman, Alec Bohm. He should instantly become one of the team’s top prospects.
Bohm is a strong-hitting third baseman who hit .339 with a 1.061 OPS, 16 home runs, and 55 runs batted in this season for the Shockers. He was arguably the best all-around hitter in this year’s draft with strong plate discipline, good contact ability, and plenty of power potential.
While Bohm is now a third baseman, he may have to move to first later on his career. Scouts question his ability to stay at the position as he has limited range and an average arm. Even so, his offensive potential should more than outweigh his positional limitations.
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Bohm should start his professional career in Low-A Lakewood. He could rise through the farm system fairly quickly as an advanced college bat. There is a good chance he arrives in the majors in 2020 or 2021, right when Carlos Santana’s contract expires.
Heading into the draft, there was no clear indication who the team would pick.
While some mock drafts pointed to Bohm, there was significant chatter in the days leading up to the draft that Oregon State infielder Nick Madrigal could be taken. Florida pitcher Brady Singer was also in the conversation. In the end, Bohm wound up being the pick.
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Philadelphia has gone with outfielders the last few drafts. They took high schoolers Cornelius Randolph and Mickey Moniak in 2015 and 2016, then went to the college ranks to select Adam Haseley from the University of Virginia last year. Haseley and Moniak are in High-A Clearwater this year, while Randolph is in Double-A Reading.
The Phils are hoping they get more success from Bohm than they have from previous picks. Randolph has struggled significantly the last few years. Moniak struggled all of last year and to start this year, but has picked up the pace the last two weeks.
Prior to Philadelphia, the Tigers took Auburn pitcher Casey Mize first overall, as expected. The righty has the potential to be a top-end pitcher and should move through the minors quickly. The Giants then picked catcher Joey Bart who has plenty of upside both offensively and defensively behind the plate.
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Personally, this is exactly who I wanted the team to take. Bohm’s offensive ceiling was significantly higher than anyone else they could have picked, and the positional fit shouldn’t be a concern. Bohm should be a great player in the future.