Phillies Nation Mock Draft 1.0: Mize … Madrigal … Singer?
Let’s take a look at some of the prospects that may hear their name called with the third pick. Here is our first big board.
BIG BOARD
1. CASEY MIZE
- School: Auburn
- Position: RHP
- Age: 21
Scouting Report: Mize is the best prospect in the draft at this time. His stats are off the charts. In 12 starts for Auburn, he’s 9-2 with a 2.25 ERA. Most impressive is that he has struck out 119 batters in 84 innings while only walking seven. This is all very impressive considering he’s doing it in the SEC, which is thought to be the toughest baseball conference in the nation. Mize obviously is a control freak, but he backs it up with three above-average pitches. His fastball sits 92-97 MPH, while his splitter, which scouts have rated a 70 out of 80, sits in the mid 80s. Because of his rising stock, Mize has been connected the most to Detroit for No. 1 overall, but if he were to fall, the Phillies have to pounce.
2. BRADY SINGER
- School: Florida
- Position: RHP
- Age: 21
Scouting Report: Singer has the frame you look for in a starting pitcher at 6’5″. He’s long been considered a top prospect in this draft, and his stats have backed up that claim. In 12 starts he’s 10-1 with a 2.33 ERA. Opponents are only hitting .177 off of the big righty. Singer has struck out 86 batters and walked 17, so his control is not terrible, but it’s not at Mize’s level. Singer sits mid-90s with his fastball. He has an above-average slider that he uses to keep hitters off balance. Singer is developing a change-up that would give him three legit pitches to work with.
3. SHANE MCCLANAHAN
- School: USF
- Position: LHP
- Age: 21
Scouting Report: McClanahan is considered the top lefty in college baseball. He missed his freshman year with Tommy John but has bounced back nicely since. In 11 starts, he’s 5-5 with a 2.84 ERA. He has nasty stuff as he’s struck out 107 batters in 63.1 innings. McClanahan’s biggest problem is his control, as he has walked 34 batters so far this season. McClanahan does have an excellent fastball that reaches 100 mph and sits in the high-90s. He has a changeup with a lot of movement that helps him generate a ton of strikeouts. He adds an average slider as a third offering. McClanahan has been compared to Chris Sale, but he’ll need to improve his control first.
4. NICK MADRIGAL
- School: Oregon State
- Position: 2B/SS
- Age: 21
Scouting Report: Madrigal, the top hitter in the draft, has dealt with a wrist injury this season. Now back and healthy, he’s hitting .449 (in 78 ABs) with two homers and 17 RBI. He has only struck out twice and has walked six times. He also has a perfect fielding percentage as he hasn’t committed an error to date. Madrigal is not a big guy at all, listed a 5’7″. He profiles as a top-of-the-order guy who can hit for high average with lots of gap power, but don’t expect much in the raw power department. He’s also an above-average runner, leading to lots of stolen bases. Madrigal has a great approach and does not strikeout often, something the Phillies really like.
5. CARTER STEWART
- School: Eau Gallie HS
- Position: RHP
- Age: 18
Scouting report: Stewart is a big kid at 6’6″, 200 pounds. He uses that large frame to generate a lot of velocity, as his fastball touches 98 mph and sits 92-96. He has a plus curveball that sits in the mid 80s, and it’s a legit put-away pitch. His changeup is a work in progress and should become at least average once he’s working with an organization’s pitching coaches. Stewart will probably cost a little more thanks to his commitment to Mississippi State, but as mentioned before, the Phillies really don’t have to worry about that.
6. ALEC BOHM
- School: Wichita State
- Position: 3B
- Age: 21
Scouting Report: Bohm produces a lot of power thanks to his 6’5″ frame. In 177 at bats, he’s hitting .339 with 11 homers and 45 RBI. Bohm has great plate discipline as he’s walked 33 times and only struck out 20. Defensively, Bohm has work to do, as he’s committed 11 errors this season. Bohm lacks range and speed making him both a liability in the field and on the bases (think a first baseman in the long run). Bohm’s bat is what makes him an intriguing prospect, and it has the capability to be a special one.
MOCK DRAFT
1. Detroit Tigers
The Pick: Casey Mize
This is a no-brainer, honestly. Mize has dominated the college ranks and his control is ridiculous. That control should help Mize fly through the minor leagues and help the Tigers jumpstart their rebuild with a future ace.
2. San Francisco Giants
The Pick: Brady Singer
This is tough pick, and the Giants can go in a lot of different directions here. Singer makes sense, because outside of Bumgarner, they could use rotation help, and Singer could shoot up the ranks and join the Giants by 2019. Madrigal and Bohm are also possibilities as they have an aging infield. The Giants can also opt to go for a prospect further down the draft board in order to save money for their second- and third-round picks, because they need to reload their farm system. The Giants have also been linked to Georgia Tech catcher Joey Bart, so if they take him, the Phillies will be more than happy.
3. Philadelphia Phillies
The Pick: Nick Madrigal
The Phillies reportedly really like Madrigal, so if Mize and Singer are gone, Madrigal is most likely the pick. The Phillies have gone with a hitter in the first round every year since 2015. Madrigal has the chance to fly through the minors thanks to his advanced approach and ability to make hard contact. He would add to an already log-jammed infield, but it’s a good problem to have. If McClanahan comes on strong over the final month, the Phillies may consider him, if he’s available.
We’ll do this again in a couple weeks and possibly add some new names to the big board as things seem to change fast when it comes to the draft.
