2019 Phillies draft preview: potential players to pick

Kameron Misner, OF

Kameron “3 true outcome” Misner is a 6’4” 205 lbs Outfielder from University of Missouri who both bats and throws left handed. I alluded to a lot of what is interesting about Misner by throwing in a snarky nickname up above. Misner checks my box as a guy who walks more than he K’s, but whew boy, does he do an awful lot of both. Walks and K’s account for over 46% of his plate appearances. If you add in his Homers (6%) and he’s over 50% of his PAs ending in one of the three true outcomes. I’m not sure a nearly 25% walk rate is sustainable. He’s also struggled a bit this year with batting average, so he may well be a reach at #14. That said, there’s plus power and the potential to play all 3 OF spots here.

Jackson Rutledge, RHP

Rutledge is a tree that also happens to pitch. He’s 6’8”, 260 lbs and he’s the top JuCo Pitcher this year. He’s an inning eating middle rotation type. He has an easy plus Fastball (though probably not much projection left), a potentially plus 12-6 Curveball and an average mid-80’s Slider. The delivery is pretty effortless, which is nice. The control/command is very bad and it would be nice if he developed a Change-up. High risk-medium reward here. You could make a case that if the Fastball gets to double plus (realistic), the Curve gets to a solid plus and the Slider gets to above average, he could get to just average control/command and be a good #3 Starter.

Jack Leiter, RHP

It doesn’t look likely that Leiter goes as high as 14, but he is rocketing up draft boards this spring and the Phillies seem to have a thing for Leiters. Jack is a 6’1” 191 lbs RHP, with a commitment to Vanderbilt he very well might not fulfill. He has a 91-94 mph Fastball which has some arm side cut when not overthrown. His calling card is a hammer Curve that is easily the best breaking ball in this draft. Leiter is also well regarded for locating his Curve (and his slider) in the strike zone and generating swings and misses. He also has a Changeup he doesn’t really use often, but profiles as fringe average and would likely improve with more pro reps. Leiter reminds me a bit of Rob Kaminsky, a 2013 Prep Pitcher who was around 6’ tall and had a fantastic curveball, but has not found success with his arsenal in pro ball.

Bryson Stott, SS

Stott is a 6’3” 195 lbs left handed hitter who went undrafted out of High School and went to UNLV. He was recruited by some power programs too, but chose Vegas. His bat has really taken off and improved each season to the point he is now probably the premier shortstop in this draft. He walks more than he K’s (hell, he damned near stole more than he k’d last year). He’s a bit of a line drive hitter, but he has a good approach and good contact skills, so there’s a potential for above average power to develop down the line. He’s well reviewed for his defense, not Gold Glove good, but good enough to stick at short.