Phillies Rule 5 Draft Possibilities

The MLB Rule 5 draft is coming up this Thursday and wielding the first overall pick is your Philadelphia Phillies. The Rule 5 draft isn’t the most exciting thing in baseball, but it’s probably the loudest noise the Phillies are going to make this off-season since being in rebuilding mode doesn’t warrant them going after any high-priced free agents at this stage. It is still worth paying attention to though since the Phillies struggles were awarded with first dibs and it’s another chance add depth to the team.

The Phillies have had success in the past with the Rule 5 Draft, selecting 2008 postseason hero Shane Victorino in 2004, who spent 8 years with the Phillies and turned out better than they could have possibly hoped for. The Phillies struck gold again in last year’s Rule 5 Draft, selecting 23-year old outfielder Odubel Herrera eighth overall from the Texas Rangers. Never playing above Double-A before, Herrera became the Phillies everyday center fielder, a consistent hitter, and has become one of the building blocks of the future. The Phillies with the first overall pick could certainly have the opportunity to find another diamond in the rough on Thursday. Keep in mind, players selected in the Rule 5 draft must stay in the majors all season or be exposed to waivers and eventually offered back to their old clubs.

The Phillies have still have three openings on their 40-man roster and so they could possibly pull the trigger on multiple players in the draft if they so choose. They selected two players last year, but they waived their second pick, reliever Andy Oliver, who opted for free agency. It’s hard to predict who the Phillies will select since Mike Ondo, the Phillies’ director of pro scouting and Rule 5 point man, is keeping it close to the vest, but here are some possible targets:

3B/OF Tyler Goeddel(Rays): Goeddel, 23-years old, was selected 41st overall in the 1st round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. In his first season in Double-A, Goeddel batted .279 with a career-high 12 home runs and 72 RBI’s in 123 games. He also only struck 98 times in 473 at-bats and stole 28 bases, only being caught 9 times. Goeddel reminds me of Odubel Herrera because their both gap hitters and have a ton of speed.

OF Jabari Blash(SEA): Blash, 26-years old, was in the MLB Amateur draft three times and finally settled with the Seattle Mariners after they selected him the eighth round of the MLB Draft in 2010. Blash has been stuck between Double-A and Triple-A the past couple years, but that hasn’t stopped him from putting up some impressive numbers. Between Double-A and Triple-A last year, Blash had .271 average while clubbing 32 home runs and knocking 81 runs in 116 games. One of the main reasons I would take Blash over Goeddel is simply because Blash is a power-hitter and as we all know, the Phillies sorely lack power. I would also take Blash because he has more experience than Goeddel playing in Triple-A so he has seen some higher-level pitching.

RHP Corey Black(CHC): Black, 24 years-old, was selected by the New York Yankees in the 4th round of the 20112 MLB Draft and would be later traded to the Cubs as part of the package for Alfonso Soriano. Black has spent the last two years in Double-A, making 34 starts before being moved to the bullpen halfway through the 2015 season. Black has had major control issues and I’d rather the Phillies take a bat since they already have a lot pitching depth.

1B/3B Balbino Fuenmayor(KC): Fuenmayor, 26- years old, was originally signed by the Blue Jays out of Venezuela for a significant bonus in 2006, but was released in 2013. He was then picked up by the Royals last winter and has been making progress. Fuenmayor spent time between Double-A and Triple-A, batting .358 with 17 home runs and 66 RBI’s in 89 games. Fuenmayor is probably a long shot to be the Phillies number one pick and he’s also a first basemen, which the Phillies are hesitant about.

OF Teoscar Hernandez(HOU): Hernandez, 23-years old, was signed as an international free agent by the Houston Astros at the age of 18 in 2011. Hernandez spent 2015 in Double-A, batting .219 with 17 home runs and 48 RBI’s in 121 games. Hernandez’s plate discipline was horrible as he struck out 126 times in 473 at-bats and his pitch selection needs a lot of work. However, Teoscar Hernandez has the type of talent teams are willing to take a shot it and maybe have him turn into something special.

These are only a full possible names the Phillies could select with their first pick, but we will know for sure on Thursday so stick with us.