Philadelphia Phillies 2014 Draft Picks: Scouting Profiles and Analysis
June 5, 2014 by Alec Snyder
Filed under Fan News
There has been very little for Philadelphia Phillies fans to look forward to so far in 2014. Currently entrenched in a five-game losing streak and sitting dead last in the NL East at 24-33, the Phillies have hit rock bottom if there ever was a time for them to do so.
However, there is a bright spot in this time of darkness.
The MLB draft begins June 5 at 7 p.m. ET. The Phillies hold the seventh overall selection in this year’s draft, their highest since 2001, when they selected Gavin Floyd with the fourth overall pick.
The only upside to losing is the higher draft pick that comes with it the following season, and the Phillies have needed this pick in the worst way. Their farm system is barren of any blue-chip prospect talent. Not only does that inhibit them from making trade acquisitions in the offseason, but it also means that little to no impact help is available in the minors for this sluggish team.
In years past, the Phillies have taken risks, generally selecting high school talent in the early rounds with high upside.
However, after the failure of recent top picks Joe Savery, Zach Collier, Anthony Hewitt and Larry Greene, the Phillies may be taking a different approach this year, per CSN Philly’s Jim Salisbury. Due to the plethora of top college arms who would take less time to develop into big league pitchers, the Phillies may opt to choose a top-flight college starter at No. 7.
From the time the clock strikes 7 p.m. on Thursday through the evening of Saturday, June 7, check back here for live updates on the Phillies’ draft picks as they come in. Until the first pick is announced, though, proceed to the next slide to see who the experts believe is most likely to go to the Phillies in the 2014 MLB draft.