Here is the fourth part in my series, this time focusing on the Philadelphia Phillies and their scouting director Marti Wolever.
Owners: Bill Giles and David Montgomery, bought club in 1981
General Manager: Ruben Amaro Jr., first season is 2009
Scouting Director: Marti Wolever, first draft was 2002
Looking Back
2002 Draft: Unknown Budget
1. Cole Hamels, LHP, Rancho Bernardo HS (CA), #17 overall: We all know Hamels' name by now, but most don't know his background. He had a major injury that cost him his junior year, and BA called him "one of the most scrutinized picks in the draft in recent years." The Phillies took a chance on his injury history, something most teams shied away from. Following players picked: Royce Ring, James Loney, Denard Span. Signing bonus: $2 million.
2. Zach Segovia, RHP, Forney HS (TX), #58 overall: Segovia was a big-bodied Texan that was expected to go right in this general area. Some teams worried about his weight, which he kept down his senior year. This was considered a solid, unspectacular pick by most experts. Following players picked: Jeremy Reed, Jonathan Broxton, Jesse Crain. Signing bonus: $712,500.
3. Kiel Fisher, 3B, Riverside Poly HS (CA), #89 overall: One of the biggest overdrafts in the entire field in 2002, Fisher was considered an unheralded California prep third baseman. He could hit a little, but most thought he'd just go to school. He suffered from injury problems and was released in 2005. Following players picked: Josh Rupe, Mike Nixon, Mark Sauls. Signing bonus: $450,000.
4. Nick Bourgeois, LHP, Tulane, #119 overall: Bourgeois was considered a possible second round prospect, and Wolever was smart to take him here in the fourth. He's a big kid at 6'4'', and was Wolever's first ever college selection. Following players picked: Ryan Rodriguez, Delwyn Young, Alex Merricks. Signing bonus: Unknown.
5. Jake Blalock, OF, Rancho Bernardo HS (CA), #149 overall: Yes, Wolever went with two selections from the same high school. Blalock was also a highly-regarded prospect who could have gone as high as round two. This was a great pick by Wolever for value, and Blalock was hyped as one of the best fifth rounders that year. Following players picked: BJ LaMura, Mike Megrew, Clete Thomas. Signing bonus: Unknown.
Other Notable Picks: RHP TJ Beam (11th), Ole Miss; RHP Scott Mathieson (17th), Aldergrove HS (BC); RHP Bobby Korecky (19th), Michigan
2003 Draft: $1.2 Million Budget
1. Tim Moss, 2B, Texas, #85 overall: Not having a pick until the third round can be a killer to a draft. However, a draft can get worse by overdrafting a player by 3-4 rounds. Moss wasn't very highly-regarded, and this is one of the most criticized picks of Wolever's. Following players picked: Ryan Feierabend, Kory Casto, Johnny Woodard. Signing bonus: $440,000.
2. Michael Bourn, OF, Houston, #115 overall: Bourn was considered in the same area as Moss, more of a fifth or sixth rounder than fourth. Same as now, speed was considered Bourn's only real asset, and was a slap hitter in college. Two quick speed prospects chosen by Wolever to start out the 2003 draft. Following players picked: Paul Fagan, Edgardo Baez, David Shinskie. Signing bonus: $299,000.
3. Javon Moran, OF, Auburn, #145 overall: Another fast, impatient college hitter, Moran was also on the same level as Bourn and Moss entering the draft, possibly even better than the first two. Wolever clearly had a plan here. Following players picked: Casey Abrams, Trey Webb, Brandon McArthur. Signing bonus: $175,000.
4. Jordan Parraz, RHP, Green Valley HS (NV), #175 overall: The Phillies drafted Parraz as a pitcher in 2003, but they didn't offer enough money and failed to sign him. He went to a JUCO and became a 3rd rounder the following year as a hitter. This was either a bad read on signability or they were just plain cheap. Following players picked: Eric O'Flaherty, Josh Whitesell, Errol Simonitsch. DID NOT SIGN.
5. Kyle Kendrick, RHP, Mount Vernon HS (WA), #205 overall: This was a good pick by Wolever, as Kendrick could have gone a round earlier. Considered a good athlete that would have played both football and baseball at Washington State, Kendrick's stock had slipped over the previous year plus. Following players picked: Jeremy Dutton, Devin Perrin, Chris Schutt. Signing bonus: $135,000.
Other Notable Picks: RHP Brad Ziegler (20th), Missouri State
2004 Draft: $3.4 Million Budget
1. Greg Golson, OF, Connally HS (TX), #21 overall: The pick of Golson ushered in what we now consider to be Phillies-style baseball. He was a consensus first rounder entering the draft, despite his lack of polish with the bat. His speed and defense were considered top shelf, as was his power potential. This was an unquestioned pick at the time. Following players picked: Glen Perkins, Philip Hughes, Landon Powell. Signing bonus: $1.475 million.
2. Jason Jaramillo, C, Oklahoma State, #62 overall: Considered the best college catcher in the 2004 draft, Jaramillo was an advanced defender with an average bat. He was expected to be a second round pick, and Wolever snapped him up at an opportune time. Solid pick in terms of drafting for value. Following players picked: Erik Cordier, Hunter Pence, Dustin Pedroia. Signing bonus: $585,000.
3. J.A. Happ, LHP, Northwestern, #92 overall: Happ was thought to be a fourth to sixth round prospect, so this was a slight overdraft by Wolever. A rare projectable college lefty, Happ's results had varied a little over time. At 6'6'', he fit the Phillies' pitching mold. Following players picked: Matt Tuiasosopo, Jordan Parraz, Andrew Dobies. Signing bonus: $420,000.
4. Lou Marson, C, Coronado HS (AZ), #122 overall: This was an overdraft by anywhere from three to six rounds. Having been fairly new to catching, Marson had improved a lot his senior year, but was still raw behind the plate. He had prototypical catching size, a plus to Wolever. Interesting pick here. Following players picked: Rob Johnson, Lou Santangelo, Tommy Hottovy. Signing bonus: $265,000.
5. Andrew Baldwin, RHP, Oregon State, #152 overall: Baldwin was another highly projectable college pitcher taken by Wolever. At 6'5'', Baldwin easily fit the Phillies' mold for pitchers, though he was highly inconsistent in college. This was around where Baldwin was projected to go in the draft. Following players picked: Mark Lowe, Mitch Einertson, Ryan Schroyer. Signing bonus: $170,000.
Other Notable Picks: RHP Joe Bisenius (12th), Oklahoma City U.
2005 Draft: $1.8 Million Budget
1. Mike Costanzo, 3B, Coastal Carolina, #65 overall: Once again without a first round pick, Marti Wolever was forced to do his best with what he had. Costanzo was an overdraft by a couple of rounds, and teams were divided about whether Costanzo was a hitter or a pitcher. Wolever liked his power and batting eye, and drafted him in the second round. Following players picked: Chase Headley, Johnny Whittleman, Donnie Veal. Signing bonus: $570,000.
2. Matt Maloney, LHP, Ole Miss, #97 overall: Maloney was Ole Miss' Friday starter his junior year, and he was considered a solid third round draft prospect. At 6'3'' and 220 pounds, he fit the normal Phillies mold for starting pitchers, a big reason why Wolever felt comfortable with him here. Following players picked: Josh Geer, Taylor Teagarden, Mark Holliman. Signing bonus: $400,000.
3. Mike Durant, 3B, Berkeley HS (CA), #127 overall: Durant was a powerful prep third baseman from California that towered over most prep players at 6'5'', 230 lbs. His pure power potential was right up there with the best for the class, and this was considered about where he would go before the draft. Following players picked: Mike Baxter, Shane Funk, Dylan Johnston. Signing bonus: $247,500.
4. Brett Harker, RHP, College of Charleston, #157 overall: A slight overdraft, Harker was a college reliever with a huge curveball. Teammates with outfielder Brett Gardner, both were thought to be seventh to tenth round prospects. However, Wolever tabbed the 6'3'' closer in the fifth round. Following players picked: Seth Johnston, Michael Kirkman, Scott Taylor. Signing bonus: $165,000.
5. Justin Blaine, LHP, U. of San Diego, #187 overall: Blaine was a community-dividing prospect, considered as both a first day prospect by some and as low as a tenth rounder by others. At 6'4'', he's a prototypical Phillies pitcher, though he was heavily abused in college. Following players picked: Neil Jamison, German Duran, Kyle Reynolds. Signing bonus: $145,000.
Other Notable Picks: OF Jeremy Slayden (8th), Georgia Tech, $95K bonus; LHP Josh Outman (10th), Central Missouri, $52,500 bonus; LHP Mike Zagurski (12th), Kansas
2006 Draft: $4.8 Million Budget
1. Kyle Drabek, RHP, The Woodlands HS (TX), #18 overall: Drabek had makeup issues entering the draft, and though his arm was as good as anyone's, he fell this far to the Phillies. He's not the usual Phillies pitcher in terms of size, but he's quite athletic, as he was considered a draft prospect as a shortstop, too. Following players picked: Brett Sinkbeil, Chris Parmelee, Ian Kennedy. Signing bonus: $1.55 million.
2. Adrian Cardenas, SS, Monsignor Pace HS (FL), #37 overall: Drafting a supplemental first rounder for the first time, Marti Wolever went with prep shortstop Cardenas. This was a slight overdraft, as Cardenas was a polished hitter, but was thought of more as a second baseman than true shortstop. He was more of a late second round prospect. Following players picked: Cory Rasmus, David Huff, Kris Johnson. Signing bonus: $925,000.
3. Andrew Carpenter, RHP, Long Beach State, #65 overall: Carpenter was also considered an overdraft by about a round, as he was an average college starter with average pro stuff. At 6'3'', he fit the Phillies starter mold, though he lacked the projectability of most of Wolever's college pitching picks. Following players picked: Trevor Cahill, Sergio Perez, Dustin Evans. Signing bonus: $570,000.
4. Jason Donald, SS, Arizona, #97 overall: Donald was considered a solid middle infield prospect with a lack of above-average tools. He was overdrafted here by a couple of rounds, as most expected him to be a fifth rounder at best. Scott Boras was his advisor, but that didn't stop Wolever from picking him. Following players picked: Matt Sulentic, Nick Moresi, Chad Rodgers. Signing bonus: $400,000.
5. D'Arby Myers, OF, Westchester HS (CA), #127 overall: Myers was overdrafted by a ton here, as most expected him to go to school because of his rawness and desire for an education. He was athletic, but wasn't expected to hit at all quite yet, part of what we consider the Phillies normal modus operandi now. He surprisingly signed. Following players picked: Chad Lee, Chris Johnson, Lee Hyde. Signing bonus: $250,000.
Other Notable Picks: OF Quintin Berry (5th), San Diego State, $165K bonus; OF Dominic Brown (20th), Redan HS (GA), $200K bonus (overslot)
2007 Draft: $4.2 Million Budget
1. Joe Savery, LHP, Rice, #19 overall: Savery was coming off surgery the previous year on his shoulder, and while he was good for Rice that spring, he had not performed like a first rounder. However, the Phillies' pick of Savery was praised, as most thought he'd explode once he turned into a full-time pitcher after being a two-way player for the Owls. Following players picked: Chris Withrow, JP Arencibia, Tim Alderson. Signing bonus: $1.3725 million.
2. Travis D'Arnaud, C, Lakewood HS (CA), #37 overall: D'Arnaud was a solid prep prospect who was considered a solid defender with a streaky bat. This was considered in the range he was expected to go, as he wasn't really a true first round prospect. He fit in the Phillies' mold for athletic position players, a rarity for a catcher. Following players picked: Brett Cecil, James Adkins, Kellen Kulbacki. Signing bonus: $832,500.
3. Travis Mattair, SS, Southridge HS (WA), #83 overall: Mattair was considered a second round prospect in a year where there were too many supplemental first round picks to keep track of. He was very athletic, having been a basketball player, but was very raw with the bat. Getting the signal yet? Following players picked: Hunter Morris, John Tolisano, Michael Watt. Signing bonus: $395,000.
4. Brandon Workman, RHP, Bowie HS (TX), #107 overall: You'll hear this name again next year in the draft. Workman had a first round arm with little polish, but was considered a very difficult sign, despite being overdrafted here by Wolever. He ended up not signing. He was a prototypical Phillies starter at 6'4'', 195 lbs. Following players picked: Brandon Hicks, Neftali Soto, Evan Reed. DID NOT SIGN.
5. Matt Spencer, OF, Arizona State, #113 overall: Spencer had been part of the UNC Tar Heels, but lost his job and transferred to ASU. He was tall, with a power bat, but was very unrefined for a college hitter. This is definitely a trend in how Marti Wolever works. Following players picked: Brock Huntzinger, Alan Farina, Austin Gallagher. Signing bonus: $261,000.
Other Notable Picks: OF Michael Taylor (5th), Stanford, $131K bonus; RHP Chance Chapman (8th), Oral Roberts, $20K bonus; RHP Julian Sampson (12th), Skyline HS (WA), $390K bonus (overslot)
2008 Draft: $6.7 Million Budget
1. Anthony Hewitt, SS, Salisbury School (CT), #24 overall: I personally hated this pick, as Hewitt was a very raw hitter who looked lost against good competition on the showcase circuit. However, he fits the Phillies' mold of athletic position players, even without a true position. Following players picked: Christian Friedrich, Daniel Schlereth, Carlos Gutierrez. Signing bonus: $1.38 million.
2. Zach Collier, OF, Chino Hills HS (CA), #34 overall: The Phillies got incredibly lucky when Collier landed in their lap here. Considered a first round talent, Collier has numerous tools with a good bat and good power potential. He's a prototypical Phillies prep prospect. Following players picked: Evan Frederickson, Mike Montgomery, Conor Gillaspie. Signing bonus: $1.02 million.
3. Anthony Gose, OF, Bellflower HS (CA), #51 overall: Leave it to the Phillies to pick someone widely considered a pitcher and use his speed and arm in the outfield. Gose's injury concerns as a pitcher probably helped this to happen, and it was the reason he fell this far. He was as fast as anyone in the 2008 draft class. Following players picked: Brad Hand, Seth Lintz, Cutter Dykstra. Signing bonus: $772,000.
4. Jason Knapp, RHP, North Hunterdon HS (NJ), #71 overall: This was widely considered a huge overdraft, as Knapp was only thought to have a fastball. That fastball only had velocity, little command, and came paired with weak secondary offerings. However, at 6'5'', the Phillies saw potential in his arm and body. It's worked out so far. Following players picked: Charlie Blackmon, Bryan Shaw, Tyler Chatwood. Signing bonus: $590,000.
5. Vance Worley, RHP, Long Beach State, #102 overall: Worley was a re-draft for the Phillies, as Wolever took him in the 2005 draft. At 6'2'', 220 lbs., Worley's big body attracted the Phillies, and he profiled to go somewhere in this range as a possible starter or reliever. Following players picked: Aaron Weatherford, Kevin Eichhorn, Ryan Chaffee. Signing bonus: $355,000.
Other Notable Picks: RHP Jon Pettibone (3rd Supp.), Esperanza HS (CA), $500K bonus (overslot); RHP Trevor May (4th), Kelso HS (WA), $375K bonus; RHP Colby Shreve (6th), CC of Southern Nevada, $400K bonus (overslot); RHP Mike Stutes (11th), Oregon State; RHP BJ Rosenberg (13th), Louisville; RHP Michael Schwimer (14th), Virginia
Those are the seven drafts that Marti Wolever has run since joining the Phillies. Wolever is on the third general manager he's worked for, somehow outlasting Ed Wade when he was first, and he stuck with Ruben Amaro when Pat Gillick retired following the 2008 season. Wolever followed Mike Arbuckle into the job, a tough person to follow, as Arbuckle had the job for nine drafts. Arbuckle also stayed in the organization as the assistant general manager for scouting and player development, essentially the head of all baseball operations under the general manager. Chuck LaMar holds that position now, as Arbuckle left after 2008 when he lost the general job to Amaro. Overall, Wolever has done a fairly good job at drafting players that have moved quickly to the big leagues, whether for the Phillies or in trade. Most have had little impact to this point, but have been role players for their teams. Cole Hamels is by far Wolever's best pick, and being a first rounder in Wolever's first draft, I'm guessing he was more of an advisor than the one making that call. He's done fairly well as far as draft value, with overdrafts mixed in with players that seemingly fell in his lap.
Money has seemingly been a bad sticking point in a number of Wolever's drafts. Last year marked the first truly significant investment in the draft for the Phillies since Wolever has taken over. 2006 and 2007 were also an improvement over the first drafts run by Wolever, but they came far short of the 2008 investment in players like Hewitt, Collier, Gose, and Knapp. I'd expect a much lower total budget for this year's draft, as the Phillies don't pick until the end of the second round. That's the price they paid for Raul Ibanez, a price I'm sure Wolever is not too happy about. They pick at #75 overall, then 106, 137, and every 30 picks after that. I'd expect a budget of around $4-5 million, around that of the 2006 and 2007 drafts, which have been fairly successful.
Looking at trends, I think we'll see a mix of athletic position players, tall unpolished prep pitchers, and tall, powerful college pitchers. While Wolever mixed in more college players in most of his drafts, 2008 marked a year of heavy investment in prep players, a possible trend. After the huge college investment in the 2005 draft, thanks to a small budget, Wolever has gradually trended away from that preference, as Vance Worley was the only early college player taken last year, and he was a re-draft from their 2005 selection of him. As such, I'm predicting they go for a high-ceiling prep player, either a pitcher or position player. I've connected them with Nevada prep first baseman Jeff Malm, who has risen too high for them now, Arizona prep righty Trent Stevenson, Texas prep outfielder/lefty Slade Heathcott, and Florida prep shortstop Devan Marrero, all good options for a team that should be willing to go overslot to make up for their lack of a first rounder. Look for other options like LeVon Washington, Reggie Williams, Jake Marisnick, Mychal Givens, Michael Heller, and Brooks Pounders to match up at various points.
All bonus information came from BA, and writeups on draft status going into the draft were a mixture of BA and PG. Go to their sites for draft coverage. They're awesome.
What do you guys think? What do the Phillies do?
Previous draft previews:
