Skip to main content

2011 MLB Draft Primer

By
Philadelphia's 2010 1st round draft pick, LHP Jesse Biddle


What's up:

Monday evening at 7 PM Eastern, the 2011 MLB Draft is set to begin. Phillies fans that are used to getting excited over that first selection of young, mysterious talent will have to wait just a bit longer this time around. Philadelphia will not pick in the amateur draft's opening round, due to their signing of free agent pitcher Cliff Lee last off-season (they lost that pick to Texas), however, the were granted a selection in the supplementary round that follows the first round because outfielder Jayson Werth left, as a free agent. The Phillies' first pick in this year's draft will be 39th overall.


What to expect:

In recent years, the Phillies have shown they are partial to take what are known as "toolsy" offensive guys with their earliest picks, as proven by the selections of players like Greg Golson (1st round, 2004), Anthony Hewitt (1st round, 2008), Zach Collier (supplementary round, 2008) and Kelly Dugan (2nd round, 2009).

Philadelphia has also displayed quite a liking for young arms, over a longer period of time, for their top choice. In recent years, the team has taken Gavin Floyd (1st round, 2001), Cole Hamels (1st round, 2002), Kyle Drabek (1st round, 2006), Joe Savery (1st round, 2007) and Jesse Biddle (1st round, 2010) with their initial pick in the draft.

But, while there is a bit of a variance in the Phillies' typical approach, positionally, one thing sticks as a more reliable thing...dating back to 2001, in years when the team picked in one or both of the opening two rounds, they have taken a player out of high school with their first pick 7 out of 9 times. In addition, 13 of 18 total picks made by the Phillies in the first, supplementary and second rounds since 2001 have been high school players. So, predictions that the Phillies go young early surely have basis.


What else?:

Check back here in the coming days for details on early round selections and other highlights from the draft.

__________________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

You can also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Eric B Needs to be Cut (and My Name is Rakim)

By
While the Phillies are on a hot streak this month, one player on the team is not. Eric Bruntlett is 1-for-12 in July. Since the start of May, Bruntlett's apex in batting average has been .167 on June 14th. Bruntlett's ineptitude can be tolerated no longer. Get rid of this guy NOW! Eric B. is the 2009 Endy Chavez. Remember Endy...the guy who in 2005 managed just 2 hits in his final 42 games played as a Phillie? That is about the sort of output the Phillies are getting from Bruntlett, and it's time to fix this void. Julio Lugo was designated for assignment last week by the Red Sox and is expected to become a free agent. The Metropolitans are rumored to be interested. Why wouldn't the Phillies be interested in a guy who could surely outhit Bruntlett? Lugo was hitting .284 through 37 games played this season with Boston. Suspended Lehigh Valley IronPig Pablo Ozuna is eligible to return next Wednesday. Ozuna is batting .294 through 51 games at triple A. Miguel Cairo is also...
6 comments
Read more

5th spot, Wall, Old timers, Links

By
The race for the Phillies' fifth starter spot is still on. While it's not fully fair to compare Grapefruit League stats, when some of the pitchers have had "B game" and scrimmage outings mixed in, Kyle Kendrick and Carlos Carrasco look to be falling behind Chan Ho Park and "Jay" Happ. Happ added to his solid Grapefruit League stats (2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP in 4 games) today against the Rays. Pitching coach Rich Dubee had been displeased with Kendrick even before he surrendered 8 earned runs in 3 innings of work yesterday against the Braves. Park has been working on improving his change up, with (Coach) Jamie Moyer. Park noticed Moyer's location control on his change, so he sought out Moyer to teach him the grip and positioning of the ball. Moyer, of course, feels good about helping anyone on the Phils' staff. Park has been coached by greats like Nolan Ryan with the Rangers and Sandy Koufax with the Dodgers, so Moyer is in great company. Park is working h...
5 comments
Read more

Yankees Fans Misled By Pepsi Promotion

By
**** Today, New York Yankees fans attended a Pepsi promotion in Times Square hoping for chances to win opening day tickets to the new stadium, but the tickets, which were difficult to track down due to poor organization on Pepsi's part, were actually for a game in June. Furthermore, the 250 pairs that were promised were actually only 100 pairs. The fans, who were made to sprint through traffic over multiple city blocks when locations for the promotion changed, quickly turned against the soda brand by pooring out their beverages and chanting anti-Pepsi phrases. Yankees fans are even threatening a boycott of Pepsi. An appearance by Yankee great Goose Gossage could not even settle the angry mob, as he had to be whisked away, as a precaution, according to the Daily News . Ooo , I'd hate to see what "the worst fans in sports" (Philadelphia fans) would have done to their free Pepsi cans and beloved reliever in that situation. Because this happened in a non-Philly city, th...
5 comments
Read more