Draft Day

Catcher, third base, righthanded pitching...no big surprises as to what the Phillies are expected to be looking at when they make their first few picks later this afternoon at the 2006 MLB June Amateur draft. Local boy Billy Rowell (Bishop Eustace Prep) is the kid I hope slides to the Phillies first round pick (18th overall), but if he doesn't (and he isn't expected to) then players such as high school catcher Hank Conger and third baseman Chris Marrero could make excellent fall back plans. Recent buzz has Texas HS righthanded pitcher Kyle Drabek falling all the way to the Phillies - if Drabek were to slide to the Phils, the selection of Doug's son could have the same potential upside of the Cole Hamels pick of a few years back.

My Phillies round by round wishlist (listed in order of who I would take if there):

1 (18): 3B Billy Rowell, RHP Kyle Drabek, C Hank Conger, 3B Chris Marrero, RHP Brett Anderson

1a (37): 3B Matt Antonelli, C Max Sapp, RHP Dellin Betances, 1B Lars Anderson, RHP Brett Sinkbeil,

2 (65): RHP Adam Ottavino, OF Matt Sulentic, RHP Kevin Mulvey, RHP Steven Wright, RHP Mark Melancon, 3B Wes Hodges, 1B Matt LaPorta, , C Chad Tracy

3 (97): SS Grant Greenm RHP Sean Black, RHP Harold Mozingo, 1B Aaron Bates, C Matt McBride

4 (127): RHP Shawn Tolleson, C Torre Langley, INF Preston Mattingly, RHP Blair Erickson, RHP Jeff Manship, INF Matt Sobolewski

5 (157): 1B Whit Robbins, 2B John Shelby, SS Tommy Pham, 1B Jeremy Barfield

6 (185): C Chris Hatcher, OF Shane Robinson

7 (215): SS Mitch Hilligoss, C Brian Jeroloman, RHP Tyler Chambliss, OF John Raynor

3 possible Phillies draft outcomes:

18. C. Hank Conger
37. 3B Matt Antonelli
65. SP Adam Ottavino
97. SS Grant Green
127. RP Blair Erickson
157. 1B Whit Robbins
185. OF Shane Robinson
215. SS Mitch Hilligoss

18. 3B Billy Rowell
37. C Max Sapp
65. RP Mark Melancon
97. 1B Aaron Bates
127. INF Matt Sobolewski
157. 2B John Shelby
185. Chris Hatcher
215. SP Tyler Chambliss

18. SP Kyle Drabek
37. SP Dellin Betances
65. OF Matt Sulentic
97. SP Harold Mozingo
127. C Torre Langley
157. SS Tommy Pham
185. OF Shane Robinson
215. OF John Raynor

The name that comes up over and over and over and over again has been that of HS OF Jared Mitchell – just say no to his selection at either pick 18 and 37. If the Phillies can't resist him any longer once they get to pick 65, then they can roll the dice on this toolsy, football playing prospect.

Mock Draft

1. Royals – P Brad Lincoln
2. Rockies – P Andrew Miller
3. Devil Rays – P Luke Hochevar
4. Pirates – P Tim Lincecum
5. Mariners – P Greg Reynolds
6. Tigers – INF Evan Longoria
7. Dodgers – P Clayton Kershaw
8. Reds – P Max Scherzer
9. Orioles – P Jeremy Jeffress
10. Giants – OF Chris Parmalee
11. Diamondbacks – P Brandon Morrow
12. Rangers – OF Drew Stubbs
13. Cubs – 3B Billy Rowell
14. Blue Jays – P Joba Chamberlain
15. Nationals – P Pedro Beato
16. Brewers – P Daniel Bard
17. Padres – OF Travis Snider
18. Phillies (from Mets for type A Wagner) – P Kyle Drabek
19. Marlins – C Hank Conger
20. Twins – 3B Chris Marrero
21. Yankees (from Phillies for type A Gordon) – P Brett Anderson
22. Nationals (from Athletics for type B Loaiza) – P David Huff
23. Astros – P Kyle McCulloch
24. Braves – P Kasey Kiker
25. Angels (from Indians for type B Byrd) – P Bryan Morris
26. Dodgers (fron Angels for type A Weaver) – P Jordan Walden
27. Red Sox – P Brett Sinkbeil
28. Red Sox (from Yankees for type A Damon) – INF Matt Antonelli
29. White Sox – P Justin Masterson
30. Cardinals – P Kevin Mulvey