2011 MLB Draft: Grading the Phillies First 5 Picks

With Day 2 of the draft winding down, we can get a feel for what most teams were looking for.  Marti Wolever, the Philadelphia Phillies Director of Scouting, said that they were looking for some power bats, catchers and that he wanted to shore up the infield.  

Well, they stuck to that plan for the most part.  In their first five picks, three of them were infielders.  The other two being a left-handed pitcher and a heavy hitting outfielder.  

A lot of people may not know much about these kids.  And they are kids, seeing as how the first two picks were directly out of high school.  With that in mind, let's take a closer look at how the Phillies did in their first five picks.

5. 3B Cody Asche

Bio

• Origin: University of Nebraska, Junior
• Height: 6'2"
• Weight: 200
• Bats/Throws: L/R

2010 Stats (NCAA)

• Games Played: 52
• BA: .311
• Runs/RBI/HR: 32/58/10
• SB/SBA: 1/3

Honors and Awards

• Honorable Mention All-Big 12 (2010)
• Northwoods League All-Star Game MVP (2010)
• Two-Time Letter Winner

Asche, pronounced ASH-ee, was projected to move into the cleanup role during his senior year at Nebraska.  He finished second on the team in home runs and RBI.  Has a penchant for hitting grand slams, as he tied a Big 12 record with three.  

Projects as an average 3B/UIF.  Regarded as having good patience at the plate with an above average power potential.  Not a polished product.  Should spend at least three to four years in the minor league system before we start hearing things about him at the big league level.  

Overall, not a bad pick.  Doesn't have the most talent at his position but has great upsides.  His power potential and infield versatility is the main reason the Phillies went after him.  Not a guaranteed signee though, as he is a guaranteed starter at the hot corner for the Huskers if he returns for his senior year.

4. LHP Adam Morgan

Bio

• Origin: University of Alabama, Junior
• Height: 6'1"
• Weight: 195
• Bats/Throws: L/L

NCAA Stats (Three Seasons)

• Games Started: 43
• Record: 16-13
• ERA: 2.96 (Freshman), 6.18 (Sophomore), 4.64 (Junior)

Honors and Awards

• Two-Time Letter Winner

Not a lot of scouting on Adam.  He is an average pitcher who the Phillies hope will develop into a strong reliever or starter in the future.  Main reasoning behind the pick is that he consistently pitches more than six innings each start.  That's a good sign that he could develop into a major league starter.  ERA has been a little erratic throughout his time in college.  His games are usually marked by either a shutout or a high-scoring affair.

Most likely will not sign with the team this year.  Almost guaranteed a spot in the Tide's rotation next year if he returns.  A player to watch in college next year.

3. 3B Harold Martinez

Bio

• Origin: University of Miami, Junior
• Height: 6'3"
• Weight: 212
• Bats/Throws: R/R

2010 Stats (NCAA)

• Games Played: 62
• BA/SLG: .295/.598
• Runs/RBI/HR: 48/69/21
• SB/SBA: 5/7

Honors and Awards

• All ACC Preseason Team (2010)
• Louisville Slugger Preseason Third-Team All American

Many people may recognize this name being thrown around the 2008 draft when he was taken by the Texas Rangers.  Heralded as an up-and-coming Alex Rodriguez out of high school, his first two years in college were a regression.  However, after some fine tuning to his stance to lower his hands before the start of the 2010 season, he improved drastically.  His HR numbers went from nine in 2009 to a team leading 21 in 2010.  

For Martinez, the power is there.  There is some debate about whether he can consistently catch up to fastballs at a Major League level.  Some scouts state that this is simply a matter of development and his lack of hitting high 90's fastballs stems from him not seeing many in the ACC.  Either way, he looks to have a great upside in power.

As for fielding, while all scouts agree his has incredible arm strength, he is a little erratic with his throws to first.  The majority of his errors this year were on throws.  His fielding ability is there and he rarely lets a ball get by him at the hot corner.  If he can get that under control, he could progress pretty quickly through the minors.  Rated the No. 17 overall prospect by "Perfect Games," he is definitely a player to keep an eye on in the coming years.

2. SS Roman Quinn

Bio

• Origin: Port St Joe High School, FL
• Height: 5'10"
• Weight: 170
• Bats/Throws: R/R

This kid is being looked at as the next Jimmy Rollins.  The first thing to address is his speed.  His is the fastest player in Baseball Americas Top 200 with a 6.35 60-yard dash and 4.20 home-to-first.  That's just blazing.  Currently a steady line-drive hitter, he is already displaying a bit of pop in his bat and should get his share of extra-base hits.  Currently a right-handed hitter, he has been learning to switch-hit over the past year and should develop that more as he works through the minors.

Scouts are projecting him to end up in the outfield because of his speed, but the Phillies may have other plans.  He has the hands and athleticism to play second or shortstop.  Quinn will hopefully develop into that young, "place-setter" the Phillies need at the top of the lineup.  Sadly, at only 18 years old, he is a long way from the MLB.

Even though he is currently committed to Florida State, I don't think the Phillies would have wasted this high of pick on a player they weren't sure they could sign.  He has all the tools to be a great player.  The main things the Phillies will need to work on will be fine-tuning his switch-hitting and putting some meat on his bones.  A great pickup with the 66th pick.

1. OF Larry Greene

Bio

• Origin: Berrien County High School, GA
• Height: 6'
• Weight: 235
• Bats/Throws: L/R

Yes, you read that correctly.  This young man just graduated high school.  First impression says power hitter.  And you would be correct.  However, if you thought this big bruiser lacked in the speed department, you would be wrong.  He consistently runs the 60-yard dash in 6.5 seconds.  Not bad for a kid of his size.

Keith Law was recently quoted as saying Greene has more raw power than anyone in the draft.  He was originally projected to go 22nd overall, but when he was available at the No. 39 spot, the Phillies jumped all over it.  Greene has power to all fields with decent bat speeds that could lead to impressive averages as he advances through the minor league system.

He is projected by Phillies scouts to be an average left-fielder, with the upside being the power he brings to the plate.  In a minor league system like the Phillies that lack pure power prospects, he could progress quickly.  One huge upside is that he is not committed to any four-year institutions, which could make the signing much easier.  He did receive a scholarship offer from Alabama to play football, but he says he is not interested in football.

Greene looks to be a great addition to the Phillies minor league system and should contribute there right away.  How soon he can contribute at the major league level is unclear.  Most high school players need at least four to five years in the system to develop.  However, since most of that is designed to put size, strength and bat speed together for the majors, he could move a little faster.

All right Ruben, get them all signed, and let's see what they can do.