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Phillies: Greatest first round picks in team history

By Kerry Kauffman

Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 5: Former outfielder Pat Burrell #5 of the Philadelphia Phillies waves to the crowd prior to the game against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on August 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 5: Former outfielder Pat Burrell #5 of the Philadelphia Phillies waves to the crowd prior to the game against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on August 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

5: Pat Burrell (1st overall 1998)

After being drafted by the Red Sox in the 43rd round in 1995, Pat Burrell opted to play at the University of Miami. After the Phillies used their first ever number one overall pick to select him, Burrell made his way through the farm system quickly, showing power to the tune of 29 home runs in 450 at-bats in 1999.

Burrell went two-for-five against the Astros in his Major League debut on May 24, 2000.  He finished the season with 18 home runs and 79 RBI, earning enough votes to place fourth in NL Rookie of the Year.

After hitting 27 home runs in 2001, Burrell had his best season in 2002 with 39 doubles, 37 home runs, 116 RBI, and an OPS of .920.  The tides changed quickly for Burrell in 2003 as his numbers plummeted to 21 home runs, 64 RBI and a woeful .209 batting average.

Burrell rebounded to a solid .257 average with 24 home runs and 84 RBI in 2004 and finished seventh in MVP voting in 2005 after 32 home runs and a career-high 117 RBI.  Burrell narrowly missed the 30-home run mark in 2006, but went deep 30 times in 2007 and 33 for the World Series Champions in 2008.

The nine-year run with the Phillies ended after the team granted Burrell free agency following the 2008 season. He played three more seasons in the Major Leagues with dwindling production, hitting just 41 home runs with the Rays and Giants combined.

Burrell retired with 1393 hits, 292 home runs and 976 RBI. He ranks fourth all-time in Phillies history in home runs and tenth in RBI.

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