Phillies take outfielder 1st overall in annual draft
SECAUCUS, N.J. — After all the uncertainty surrounding the No. 1 pick, the Philadelphia Phillies think they’ve got themselves a sure thing.
Mickey Moniak, a high school outfielder from California, was selected first overall by the Phillies in the Major League Baseball draft Thursday night.
Moniak, from La Costa Canyon High School in south Carlsbad, became the first prep outfielder chosen No. 1 since Tampa Bay drafted Delmon Young in 2003. The selection, announced by Commissioner Rob Manfred at MLB Network studios, marked the first time the Phillies led off the draft since they took Miami slugger Pat Burrell in 1998.
“I definitely wouldn’t say there’s pressure,” Moniak said in an interview on MLB Network. “I’m excited to hopefully prove the Phillies right.”
With no consensus No. 1 talent this year, there was plenty of suspense about who the Phillies would grab right up until they officially went on the clock. At least five players were considered to be in the mix for the top spot.
“Collectively, we believe Mickey was the best player available in the draft,” Phillies scouting director Johnny Almaraz said. “He’s a true centre fielder with incredible offensive ability and the potential to be a perennial All-Star.”
Tennessee third baseman Nick Senzel went second to Cincinnati, giving the Reds a slugger who might someday provide pop in the middle of their lineup.
Atlanta took high school right-handed pitcher Ian Anderson at third overall . His fastball sits in the 91-94 mph range and he mixes in a solid breaking pitch with terrific control. Anderson helped Team USA’s 18-and-under team win the gold medal at the World Cup in Japan last fall.
Canadian pitcher Cal Quantrill picked 8th overall by Padres at MLB draft
Canadian right-handed pitcher Cal Quantrill, son of former Toronto Blue Jays reliever Paul Quantrill, was selected by the San Diego Padres in the first round of the MLB draft.
The Padres took the 21-year-old from Port Hope, Ont., out of Stanford University with the eighth overall pick on Thursday night.
Quantrill missed the entire 2016 season at Stanford after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. He made three starts for the Cardinal before his March 20, 2015 surgery, going 2-0 with a 1.93 earned-run average over that span.
As a freshman in 2014, Quantrill went 7-5 with a 2.68 ERA and 98 strikeouts through a team-high 110 2/3 innings.
Quantrill is the second highest Canadian-born player to be selected at the MLB draft. Only three have been picked in the top 10.
Surrey native Adam Loewen went fourth overall to Baltimore in 2002 and Jeff Francis of North Delta was picked ninth overall by Colorado, also in 2002.
As a member of Canada’s junior national team from 2011-13, Quantrill helped the squad win a silver medal at the IBAF 18-under world championship in 2012.
The Toronto Blue Jays selected right-hander T.J. Zeuch with the 21st overall pick.
An imposing presence on the mound at 6-foot-7 and 217 pounds, Zeuch throws in the mid-90s. The 20-year-old native of Mason, Ohio, spent the last three seasons with the University of Pittsburgh.
“He pitches well, he’s a guy we like,” said Jays amateur scouting director Brian Parker.