Phillies: Greatest first round picks in team history

6: Mike Lieberthal (3rd overall 1990)

Mike Lieberthal was drafted out of Westlake High School in Westlake Village, California with the third overall pick in 1990. After methodically making his way through the minor league system, Lieberthal made his Major League debut with the Phillies on June 30, 1994 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit .266 in 24 games the rest of the season and returned to the minor leagues for much of 1995.

As a backup to Benito Santiago in 1996, Lieberthal hit .253 with seven home runs in 50 games. Becoming the starter in 1997, Lieberthal showed increased power, hitting 20 home runs with 77 RBI in 455 at-bats.  After a bit of a down season in 1998, hitting just eight home runs in 313 at-bats, Lieberthal put together a career season.

In 1999, Lieberthal had 33 doubles, blasted 31 home runs and knocked in 96, while hitting .300. He made his first of two consecutive All-Star teams and was recognized for his glovework, earning a Gold Glove Award.

Lieberthal was limited to 34 games in 2001 after tearing his MCL and ACL attempting to dive back to the bag on a pickoff play. He bounced back to have four more solid seasons as starting catcher for the Phillies, hitting 57 home runs and continued excellent defense.

After 67 games and a .273 batting average with the Phillies in 2006, Lieberthal signed with the Dodgers as a free agent. He played one season in Los Angeles as a backup before retiring with 1155 hits, .270 average and 150 home runs. Lieberthal ranks first in franchise history among catchers in hits, home runs, doubles and second in runs and RBI.