The 2024 MLB Draft kicked off last Sunday as the All-Star break was commencing. The Phillies went with a pair of high school outfielders with their first- and second-round selections. Dante Nori was selected 27th overall, while Griffin Burkholder was selected 63rd overall.
Burkholder, an 18-year-old out of Freedom High School in Virginia, had committed to West Virginia University before the season started. Burkholder is 6-foot-2, 195 pounds and is a speedy outfielder who the Phillies had certainly been eyeing up. The team announced Monday that they have agreed to a contract with their second-round pick.
Phillies overpay to sign second-round draft pick Griffin Burkholder
Burkholder was signed to a $2.5 million contract. The slot value for the 63rd overall pick was only $1.35 million, well below what the Phillies paid for their newly acquired outfielder from their bonus pool. It's an interesting move by the Phillies to secure the young outfielder with a hopeful upside.
2nd-rder Griffin Burkholder signs w/@Phillies for $2.5 million (slot 63 = $1,352,000). Virginia HS OF, big raw power, well above-average speed, CF w/at least 20-20 upside. @WVUBaseball recruit. pic.twitter.com/iCKTQJbbNF
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 22, 2024
According to MLB Pipeline's pre-draft scouting report: "Burkholder already looks like he belongs with a strong and athletic frame that is 'what they look like.' And he has some tools to match. The right-handed hitter was one of the best performers at last summer’s East Coast Pro Showcase and has the chance to have real impact at the plate."
But what he's known for is his 70-grade speed, which should help him stick in center field.
In an interview on the Prospects Live On The Clock podcast in April, Burkholder spoke about his value as a baseball player and explained some of the things that make him unique on the baseball diamond.
“I train my speed a lot, ever since my freshman year, really the first time I ran a 60 I was like, 'Oh, this is something that I'm good at,'" Burkholder said. "Speed is a big part of my game … I train my speed three times a week … I focus a lot on my speed along with power and all that in the weight room, but yes speed is definitely really important to me in my game and a point where I can take an advantage over teams and over pitchers and almost rattle a pitcher by them just knowing that I'm on base.”
Any advantage is a plus when signing young players fresh out of high school. Burkholder has the confidence necessary in his ability which is something to look forward to as he progresses through the minor leagues.