Phillies mum on top pick; Mercer's Lewis in for workout
For months, the Phillies have scoured the country for amateur talent. When they select first overall in Thursday night's Major League Baseball draft, almost 20 Phillies scouts and executives will have seen the player they pick. The team organized workouts at Citizens Bank Park for 25 players. They have not spared resources on what is an important draft for the franchise's future.
For months, the Phillies have scoured the country for amateur talent. When they select first overall in Thursday night's Major League Baseball draft, almost 20 Phillies scouts and executives will have seen the player they pick. The team organized workouts at Citizens Bank Park for 25 players. They have not spared resources on what is an important draft for the franchise's future.
Johnny Almaraz, the Phillies' scouting director, said no decision has been made on which player they will take with the first pick. So it was interesting that Kyle Lewis, the outfielder from Mercer University, appeared Monday in South Philadelphia for a workout.
Was Lewis' last-minute workout a smokescreen, a sign that the Phillies wanted yet another chance to evaluate, or an opportunity to talk money?
Almaraz, who had declined interview requests until Monday's formal news conference with reporters, hinted at what most know: There is no player good enough to justify the allotted bonus of $9.02 million. The Phillies have struggled with the decision, but Almaraz said the lack of separation at the top does not have to be a bad thing.
"If you look back to 2005 and look at the first overall pick and the performers in their class, a lot of the No. 1 picks are eight, nine, 10 as far as performance is based," Almaraz said. "A lot of guys that were taken between the fifth and 20th pick have outperformed the 1-1, so it really doesn't bother me at all.
"There's no pressure. We're doing our job to take the best player with the best ability. But knowing that, it's helped me widen the range or prospects as far as we're concerned at 1-1."
Almaraz said the team will look to cut a deal "where we can maximize our dollars." The Phillies are allotted $13.4 million for their first 10 picks. They can spread the money however they deem fit.
There is a "small group of players" still in contention to be taken first, Almaraz said. They are believed to be Lewis, University of Florida lefthander A.J. Puk, and California prep outfielder Mickey Moniak.
If the Phillies see little separation between them, they could simply take the player who will sign for the least amount of money. The difference between the allotted bonus for the first pick and fourth pick is $3.76 million. That is how the Phillies could manipulate offers to players who, going into the process, were not viewed as potential No. 1 picks. The savings there could allow the Phillies to net a first-round talent with their second-round pick.
Almaraz said the ideal scenario would be to split the team's first two picks, Nos. 1 and 42, between a pitcher and a hitter. Both of those picks will be made Thursday night.
The Phillies have dispatched just about every executive in the front office to see potential picks. That includes Pat Gillick, Charlie Manuel and Ed Wade, who was the general manager the only other time the Phillies picked first in 1998.
The team has several more workouts scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday with players who could be taken in the middle rounds. The Phillies pick first in every round, making it an especially important weekend.
"For me, it's like a puzzle," Almaraz said. "Everybody brings a piece of information and I'm putting it together. It's been really exciting."
@MattGelb