1:30pm: The Phillies announced that they have reached agreement with a number of draft choices, including second-round pick Scott Kingery, as Todd Zolecki of MLB.com writes. Kingery’s deal is for the full value of his selection, netting him a ~$1.26MM bonus, according to MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo (on Twitter).
Kingery, a second baseman out of the University of Arizona, was tapped with the No. 48 overall pick. Prior to the draft, Kingery took some time to chat with MLBTR’s Zach Links for a comprehensive Q&A about his skill set and collegiate career. Kingery’s story is a unique one as he went from an undersized walk-on for the Wildcats to becoming one of their premier talents. The youngster told MLBTR that he received no scholarship offers coming out of high school and he did not envision a major league future for himself back in 2012.
“Definitely not. That’s not something that I had in mind going into my freshman year, especially as a walk-on player. I didn’t have a spot on the roster yet for sure, so at that point, I was just trying to find a spot on the team,” Kingery told Links.
Kingery is being advised by David Matranga of PSI Sports.
1:08pm: The Phillies have agreed to sign first-round selection Cornelius Randolph for the full slot value of $3,231,300, reports MLB.com’s Jim Callis (Twitter links). Selected 10th overall, Randolph was advised by and is now represented by Scott Boras. MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki tells Callis that the Phillies plan to move Randolph from the infield to the outfield, and Callis notes that Randolph’s bat “will play anywhere.”
A high school shortstop that had committed to Clemson, Randolph’s defense was questioned by many scouts heading into the draft. That did little to detract from the allure of his bat, however. Randolph ranked as the draft’s No. 11 prospect in the eyes of Fangraphs’ Kiley McDaniel, 19th on the Top 200 compiled by Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com, 20th on Baseball America’s Top 500 and 29th on the Top 100 of ESPN’s Keith Law.
McDaniel praised Randolph’s above-average hitting ability, raw power and strong arm when calling him “maybe the best of a deep crop in the Georgia prep ranks.” Mayo and Callis wrote that 6’1″, 190-pound Randolph “has the tools and approach to hit for power and average.” BA praised his bat speed and the ability to hit for all fields, noting that while scouts are “sure” that Randolph isn’t a shortstop, his home on the diamond could be in left field or at third base. ESPN feels that he profiles as a middle-of-the-order bat but cautions that there could be more swing-and-miss to his game than his mechanics would indicate at first glance.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
2017 pipe dream?
1B: Franco
2B: Coyle/Kingery
SS: Crawford
3B: Randolph
LF: Margot
CF: Quinn
RF: J. Upton
C: Pentecost
P; Nola, Owens, Leake, Lively, Eflin
Assuming: Hamels for Owens, Margot and Coyle
Papelbon for Pentecost
Phillies sign Leake and J. Upton
Phillies drafted fairly well considering team needs. I think they dropped the ball on Randolph due to the other talents available, especially when Stephenson was still there. but Crawford, Nola, Franco, and Randolph is a good crop of young players to start building around
Randolph won’t be ready yet by 2017 since he just turned 18. If and when he’s ready, I don’t see him moving Franco to first. Franco’s glove at 3B is a plus unlike Randolph. Randolph will be in LF ultimately. That pitching staff is a little weak after Nola. I don’t have a ton of faith in Owens to be a bona fide #2. It’s possible, but being hopeful. I know a lot of people are high on Eflin, but my concern is he while has put up nice numbers at AA, he has very low K/9 which scares the heck out of me. Minor leaguers who pitch to contact don’t often succeed once they make it to the big leagues. Phillies need to try to develop another ace. I’m not sure Nola is a #1. If you slide everyone down a spot and find a real #1, then I’d feel a lot better about that rotation.
Upton isn’t going to happen. They won’t sign big names this offseason. Also, Randolph is now a LF, but even if he lights it up, I’m thinking 2018-2019 is earliest he’s up. I’m not sure I sign off on that Hamels deal either. There will be better offers in the table I believe.
I agree and disagree…
The Phillies will spend on a few big names this off-season, they have to and they will have a lot more money coming off the books to afford it. I think Upton and Wieters will big big targets for the Phillies. I can also see a couple of better pitchers than Leake to go after.
Phillies can/will do a lot better than just Owens, Margot and Coyle. – Add in Devers and Kelly and that could do it. But when it comes down to it, the Rangers – Astros – Cubs – Dodgers and Yankees will all be bidding as well.
Know one can really start guessing yet until we see the return on Hamels, Papelbon, Harang, Revere, and anyone else they get rid of.
The Phillies will have the biggest “needs” to fill their roster come 2016 and they will want to finish “at least” .500
I completely agree. There is no way they will field a team with one true veteran, and if Franco sticks, a player with a little over a year and a half at the MLB level. They have the money, they will have even more of it in 2017 but they will start spending next year. They absolutely have to or they will lose even more fan base.
If I were Upton or Wieters, I would definitely not want to sign a long-term deal with the worst team and front office in baseball.