With the team’s 2nd pick in the draft, at number 107 overall, the Phillies selected right-handed pitcher Colton Eastman. The six-foot-three 200-pounder looked great this year in his junior season with Cal State Fullerton.
In 16 starts for the Titans, the Fresco, CA native posted a 10-3 record with a 2.20 ERA while striking out 116 and walking 27 in 110 2/3 innings pitched. He tossed a no-hitter against UC Santa Barbara in March and took a no-no into the sixth frame three other times this year.
Last week, in the NCCA baseball tournament, Eastman was remarkable, retiring the first 13 batters he faced, with seven of the first eight being strike outs. He ended up giving up two runs on four hits in that outing.
Eastman tallied a 2.20 ERA over his three year collegiate career.
In the 5th round, the Phillies drafted outfielder Matt Vierling out of Notre Dame. The six-foot-two 208-pounder had a solid season this year as a junior. In 54 games, the righty batter sported a .310 batting average with seven doubles, two triples, 10 home runs and 43 RBI. He also pitched in six games this season, but his production there (19.80 ERA, five K’s, six BB, five innings) is nearly not worth a mention.
At 137th overall, Vierling seems to be an excellent choice. He’s said to be a very athletic individual with some solid tools. He was previously picked in the 30th round by St. Louis out of high school.
The Phils’ 6th round draft choice was high school shortstop Logan Simmons. The righty batting 18-year-old is listed with a six-foot-three 190-pound frame. Scouting reports rave about a plus arm and potential plus power. The Georgia native might have a future in the outfield, thought others project his as a third baseman. The main critique on this young man is related to contact and strike out frequency.
Gabriel Cotto, a left-handed pitcher, was the Phils’ selection in the 7th round at 197 overall. The Puerto Rico Baseball Academy product is listed at six-foot-five, 175 pounds. Video of him including details of his offerings at this link.
Seth Lancaster, a shortstop out of Coastal Carolina, was the 227th pick. A lefty batter, Lancaster sported a .305 average with 20 homers, 57 RBI and 23 steals in 62 games this year in his senior season. Lasik vision surgery following his junior season resolved a vision problem that stemmed from a viral infection in his cornea. Following the corrective measure, his stats bounced back after they suffered due to the issue with his "front" eye. He likely could have been drafted last year if not for the ailment. At six-foot-one, 210 pounds, the South Carolina native tallied a .912 OPS in his four year college career.
In the 9th round, the Phillies selected high school pitcher Dominic Pipkin. The right-hander is listed at six-feet-four, 160 pounds. At 18 years old, the California native features a quick arm and a long frame and is equipped with multiple pitches that have a lot of upside including fastball velocity reported to be in the mid-90's.
Madison Stokes was the Phillies' 10th round pick. The righty hitter is a senior shortstop out of South Carolina. In 47 games for the Gamecocks this year, he would notch a .331 average with 10 homers and 43 RBI. Stokes is still involved in postseason play with South Carolina as they sit one step away from the upcoming College World Series.
The remainder of this year's draft will get underway on Wednesday at 11 am Eastern, with rounds 11 through 40 taking place.
For details on the Phillies' opening round pick, 3b Alec Bohm, click this link.
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