The Phillies continued their new approach on the second day of the MLB amateur draft, taking college players with their opening five selections of the day.
Taken in the 3rd round (81st overall) was outfielder Aaron Brown, out of Pepperdine. In his junior season this year, the California native posted a .310/.349/.539 slash line with team highs in homers (12) and RBI (47) for the Waves. Also a lefty hurler, Brown tallied a 12-1 record with a 2.07 ERA and an 8.28 K/9 mark in 16 games. Brown, a left-handed batter, was drafted by Cleveland last year and by Pittsburgh out of high school, but did not sign.
The Phils’ 4th round selection (112th overall) was Chris Oliver, a right-handed pitcher out of Arkansas. In his junior season, the six-foot-four 180-pounder posted a 9-4 record with a 2.51 ERA and a 5.69 K/9 mark in 16 starts. Oliver was in the news recently, as he was charged with DWI just a couple days ago. A 20-year-old, Oliver is likely in store for some considerable legal concerns stemming from this week’s arrest.
In the 5th round (142nd overall) the Phillies took Rhys Hoskins out of Sacramento State. In 59 games this year, the six-foot-four 225-pounder sported a .319/.428/.573 slash line as a junior. Hoskins, who was a top performer in the Cape Cod League last summer, graduated from Jesuit High School in California, the same school attended by two other Phillies prospects, Dan Child and Zach Green.
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In the 6th round, the Phillies chose left-hander pitcher Brandon Leibrandt, son of former big leaguer Charlie Leibrandt, who is best remembered for his time with the Royals. The younger Leibrandt, a six-foot-four 205-pounder, missed most of the season this year after being hit in the knee with a line drive. In six games as a junior, Leibrandt posted a 4-1 record with a 1.83 ERA. Its likely the Georgia native would have been drafted earlier if he had been healthy this season.
The Phillies’ 7th round pick was shortstop Emmanuel Marrero out of Alabama St. Touted for his defense, the Puerto Rico native is not known to possess much power. In his junior season, Marrero batted .329 with four home runs, 58 RBI and eight steals.
In the 8th round (232nd overall), the Phils took their first high school selection of the draft. Right-handed pitcher Sam McWilliams, who possesses a fastball that can touch 94 MPH, has an ideal ceiling for a young pitcher. The 18-year-old Tennesse native stands six-foot-seven and weighs 190 pounds.
Temple University RHP Matt Hockenberry was the Phillies’ 9th round selection. As a senior this year for the Owls, the Hanover, PA native posted a 5-6 record with a 3.18 ERA and a 6.85 K/9 mark in 15 games (14 starts).
Senior OF Matt Shortall out of UT Arlington was selected in the 10th round (292 overall) by the Phillies. The six-foot-three 215-pounder bats right-handed and was a Tulane transfer. Shortall was athird-team preseason All-American. In 59 games this season, the Dallas, TX native batted .344 with 1o home runs and a team high 57 RBI.
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