Moniak was scheduled to attend UCLA, but made it clear on Thursday night that he will soon head to Philadelphia to sign a contract and begin his professional baseball career.
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“That is very true”, a smiling Moniak said in an interview on MLB Network. The Phillies are short right now at the major league level at the corner outfield spots, but do have a few outfield prospects in the pipeline right now – Nick Williams, Dylan Cozens and Cornelius Randolph, last year’s top draft pick – in the system that they seem pretty high about.
First high school outfielder to be selected No. 1 since Tampa Bay drafted Delmon Young in 2003. The 2016 Gatorade State Player of the Year also had 12 triples and 40 runs scored. “He was the best player in the country”, and that he has a large role in the rebuilding franchises’ future at the plate, in the field, and inside the clubhouse.
“Moniak is listed at 6’2”, 190 lbs and is an outfielder that bats lefty.
Senzel became the Volunteers’ highest-drafted player, surpassing Todd Helton, who went eighth overall in 1995. “I’m excited to hopefully prove the Phillies right”.
“This is the guy we wanted”, scouting director Chris Buckley said of the Tennessee third baseman.
MLB.com (No. 91) and Baseball America (No. 108) both had Sanchez well outside of first-round range, but the Padres saw enough in his power potential to grab him here at No. 24 overall.
At No. 4, Colorado went with Riley Pint of Kansas. Though college pitchers are usually believed to have less risk associated with them, Puk has been inconsistent at times for Florida and has had some injury troubles, placing a small shadow of doubt on an otherwise high-floor assessment. Senzel’s draft stock rose dramatically after a terrific performance last summer in the Cape Cod League, where he won the MVP award and was selected as the top prospect. (Mariners, 1987). There have been 23 top selections who have made All-Star teams, including Griffey, Monday, Baines, Darryl Strawberry (Mets, 1980), Chipper Jones (Braves, 1990), Alex Rodriguez (Mariners, 1993), Josh Hamilton (Devil Rays, 1999), Stephen Strasburg (Nationals, 2009) and Bryce Harper (Nationals, 2010). Last year, Oakland took shortstop Richie Martin with the 20th overall pick.
As the No. 1 overall pick, Moniak is expected to earn about $6.5 million. The way baseball is today, that was a major factor for us.
The knock on Puk (2-3, 95 Ks, 70 IP, 3.21 ERA) has been has body of work.
Rolling the dice here makes sense if they can cash in with their other two first-round picks, but at No. 8 overall this is a huge risk.
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Then, with the 18th pick in this year’s draft, the New York Yankees selected Blake Rutherford from Chaminade Prep in West Hills.
