Who can build the greatest Phillies team in a three-team mock draft?
What would it look like if you built the greatest Phillies team of all-time? Now, imagine if three people were trying to build it in a mock draft, forcing you to make decisions over the greatest at one position versus the need to fill another.
That Ball’s Outta Here co-editors George Stockburger and Matt Rappa, along with contributor David Esser, sat down and did an all-time Phillies team mock draft with players from 1940 on, similar to The Athletic‘s mock (subscription required).
Each team had eight starting position players, five starting pitchers, one reliever, and one bench player. We did the mock draft in a “snake mock” style with David having the first pick, George the second, and Matt the third. Matt then had the fourth, George the fifth, David the sixth and seventh, and so on until we each made 15 picks.
At the end, we layout our final teams and you can vote to decide who has the best squad.
We’ve also included our commentary from during the draft, edited for clarity.
With the first pick, who else but…
David Esser
Give me Mike Schmidt.
George Stockburger
With the second pick, I’m taking Steve Carlton. Easy pick, no other way to go to build a team.
Matt Rappa
With the third pick, I am taking CF Richie Ashburn.
Matt Rappa
With the fourth pick, franchise hits leader Jimmy Rollins.
George Stockburger
Easy picks there, I think that’s two of the top three hits leaders in team history
I’ll take Chase Utley fifth overall
David Esser
You guys are the worst. Rollins and Utley were the top two names on my board. While I had dreams of creating the greatest infield in franchise history.
I’ll have to settle with Ryan Howard at number six. 930 HRs combined between him and Schmidt…
I’ve committed to the HRs, give me Bryce at number seven
George Stockburger/Matt Rappa
Wow.
David Esser
Three MVPs with my first three picks. Sorry not sorry!
George Stockburger
I considered Harper earlier as well. I’ll keep building a great pitching staff with Robin Roberts
David Esser
Carlton and Roberts is quite the one-two punch
George Stockburger
Doesn’t get much better than that
Matt Rappa
Rivals the R2C2 rotation. I’m taking Bobby Abreu with my first of two picks.
David Esser/George Stockburger
Abreu is one of the most underrated Phils ever
Matt Rappa
And, I have to go with Doc with my other