In one month, the Philadelphia Phillies and all other teams will make their selections in the 2022 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.
MLB has used the draft system (with many changes) since 1965. Before that, amateur players were allowed to sign with any team that made them an offer, though minor-league players have been drafted since 1921. The implementation of the draft was a small step towards leveling the playing field between the rich teams who could just sign any and as many amateurs as they wanted, while poorer teams could not. Of course, in today’s game, all teams are valued close to or well over a billion dollars, and yet we still see cheap teams and rich teams who build super-rosters.
The draft will take place between Sunday, July 17, and Tuesday, July 19, and due to their mediocre 82-80 record last year, the Phillies have the 17th pick in the first round. It’s not far off from their average placement over the draft’s history; excluding the times they’ve been impacted by supplemental picks, their average slot is 12th. You’ll see a lot of early picks throughout this list, which speaks to their repeated failure to draft and develop prospects into capable big-league talent.
So before the draft gets underway and we find out who this year’s first-round pick will be, look back at every first-rounder to come before him. Since the first amateur draft in 1965, the Phillies have drafted some real studs and quite a few duds. A few names will definitely surprise you!
A complete history of Philadelphia Phillies first-round draft picks
2021: Andrew Painter (13)
2020: Mick Abel (15)
2019: Bryson Stott (14)
2018: Alec Bohm (3)
2017: Adam Haseley (8)
2016: Mickey Moniak (1st overall)
2015: Cornelius Randolph (10)
2014: Aaron Nola (7)
2013: J.P. Crawford (16)
2012: Shane Wilson (40), Mitch Gueller (54)
2011: Larry Greene (39)
2010: Jesse Biddle (27)
2009: No first-round pick
2008: Anthony Hewitt (24), Zach Collier (34)
2007: Joe Savery (19), Travis d’Anaud (37)
2006: Kyle Drabek (18), Adrian Cardenas (37)
2005: No first-round pick
2004: Greg Golson (21)
2002: Cole Hamels (17)
2001: Gavin Floyd (4)
2000: Chase Utley (15)
1999: Brett Myers (12)
1998: Pat Burrell (1st overall), Eric Valent (42)
1997: J.D. Drew (2)
1996: Adam Eaton (11)
1995: Reggie Taylor (14), Dave Coggin (30)
1994: Carlton Loewer (23)
1993: Wayne Gomes (4)
1992: Chad McConnell (13)
1991: Tyler Green (10)
1990: Mike Lieberthal (3)
1989: Jeff Jackson (4)
1988: Pat Combs (11)
1986: Brad Brink (7)
1985: Trey McCall (16)
1984: Pete Smith (21)
1983: Ricky Jordan (22)
1982: John Russell (13)
1981: Johnny Abrego (20)
1980: Henry Powell (13)
1978: Rip Rollins (23)
1977: Scott Munninghoff (22)
1976: Jeff Kraus (17)
1975: Sam Welborn (12)
1974: Lonnie Smith (3)
1973: John Stearns (2)
1972: Larry Christenson (3)
1971: Roy Thomas (6)
1970: Mike Martin (5)
1969: Mike Anderson (6)
1968: Greg Luzinski (11)
1967: Phil Meyer (14)
1966: Michael Biko (9)
1965: Mike Adamson (18)
Philadelphia Phillies first-round supplemental draft picks
A team can receive a supplemental draft pick if they extend a Qualifying Offer to one of their players and the player declines and opts for free agency instead.
1979: Lost first-round pick to Cincinnati Reds as compensation for signing Pete Rose
1987: Lost first-round pick to Detroit Tigers for signing Lance Parrish
1995: Gained a supplemental first-round pick as compensation for losing free agent Danny Jackson
1998: Gained a supplemental first-round pick for failing to sign 1997 first-round pick J. D. Drew.
2003: Lost first-round pick to Cleveland for signing Jim Thome
2005: Lost first-round pick to New York Yankees for signing Jon Lieber
2006: Gained a supplemental first-round pick for losing FA Billy Wagner
2007: Gained a supplemental first-round pick for losing FA David Dellucci
2008: Gained a supplemental first-round pick for losing FA Aaron Rowand
2009: Lost first-round pick to Seattle Mariners for signing Raúl Ibañez
2011: Gained a supplemental first-round pick for losing FA Jayson Werth
2012: Gained two supplemental first-round picks for losing FAs Ryan Madson, Raúl Ibañez