Phillies' magic number for landing top draft pick remains at 2
The Phillies have spent most of the last six months as baseball's worst team. They have scored the third-fewest runs, allowed the third-most, and are among the worst defensively.
The Phillies have spent most of the last six months as baseball's worst team. They have scored the third-fewest runs, allowed the third-most, and are among the worst defensively.
But as they enter the final two days of their season, they have yet to lock up the prize that comes attached to such a woeful season - the No. 1 pick in the next draft. That could change Saturday, when they play a single-admission doubleheader against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m.
The magic number coming into the day is 2, meaning any combination of two Phillies losses or Cincinnati Reds wins will clinch the top pick for the Phillies. Their chances weren't helped on Friday night. Although their game against the Marlins was rained out, the Reds continued their tailspin with a 12-inning loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati's 13th consecutive defeat.
The Phillies (62-97), coming off a three-game sweep of the division-champion New York Mets, still have a game in hand over the Reds (63-97). The tiebreaker for draft-pick selection hinges on records for the previous season, so the Phillies would be awarded the No. 1 pick even if they and the Reds are tied come Sunday night.
Next June's draft class does not feature a slam-dunk top choice à la Stephen Strasburg in 2009 or Bryce Harper in 2010. Whether they pick first or second, the Phillies should land a premier prospect. But perhaps often overlooked are the perks that come attached to the first pick: the largest signing bonus pools to work with for both the draft and the next international signing period that begins July 2.
The coming draft class is considered top-heavy on pitching prospects. Riley Pint, an LSU commit from St. Thomas Aquinas High in suburban Kansas, could become the first high school righthander drafted first overall. Jason Groome, of Barnegat, N.J., could become just the fifth high school lefthander taken first.
There is typically less risk when selecting a college arm, though, and Florida lefthander A.J. Puk and Oklahoma righthander Alec Hansen, each 6-foot-7, are considered the class's top pitchers in that category. Much can and will change between October and June, but eight months from the draft, there does not appear a position player regarded as a potential top pick.
The Phillies have not selected first since 1998, when they picked Pat Burrell, the most recent No. 1 draft choice for any of the city's four major professional sports teams. The team's pending draft placement will be the backdrop to Saturday's twin bill and potentially Sunday afternoon's season finale.
In Saturday's games, Aaron Harang will oppose righthander Tom Koehler and Alec Asher will start opposite lefthander Justin Nicolino. Maikel Franco is expected to return to the Phillies' lineup for the first time since fracturing his left wrist on Aug. 11. The rookie third baseman was set to start Friday before the game was postponed in the afternoon.
Gates open at 3:05 p.m. on Saturday. Those with tickets to Friday's game may exchange them for Saturday's doubleheader, Sunday's 3:05 p.m. season finale or any 2016 home game, according to the Phillies.
@jakemkaplan