By Sam Bush
The Phillies cleaned up in the major league draft:
They began by using the No. 1 overall pick on California high schooler Mickey Moniak, who could be Christian Yelich with the added bonus of sticking in center field.
In the second round, they landed another high-upside California prepster in right-hander Kevin Gowdy, who flashes plus stuff and has plenty of projectability and pitchability.
The Phils had the best second day too.
They kicked off Friday by selecting Nebraska prep third baseman Cole Stobbe, who can hit for power and average and is reminiscent of Trevor Story. He was the best signable position player available, and Philly’s $13,405,200 signing pool has room for another seven-figure bonus.
After Stobbe in the third round, the Phillies added a pair of left-handers with low-90s fastballs and good changeups in Yavapai (Ariz.) JC’s Jo Jo Romero (fourth round) and Oregon’s Cole Irvin (fifth). Dallas Baptist outfielder David Martinelli’s athleticism and improved hitting could have landed him in the third round, yet the Phils were able to steal him in the sixth.
