Phillies 2022 MLB Draft Review

- Mike Livingston

RD 1, PK 17: Justin Crawford, OF, Bishop Gorman (NV), 18yo, 6’3 175lbs

With the 17th pick in the Draft the Phillies have selected Outfielder Justin Crawford out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas Nevada. Justin is the son of former Tampa Bay Ray Carl Crawford, Carl was a member of the 2008 Rays who notoriously lost to the phillies in the World Series. When you look at Crawford the first thing that jumps out at you is undoubtedly his natural athleticism, he is a guy that can beat you on the base paths, in the field, and at the plate at the same time. He is a plus defender and an ideal centerfielder for any ball club. While the power is something that will need to come along, his contact and ability to hit to all fields has him halfway to a complete all around player. But the biggest thing you get with Crawford is no question his lightning fast speed. He is a guy that can stretch singles to doubles and doubles to triples. He is always a threat to steal and you can never play laxed defense when he is running down the line. I'd expect to see Crawford raking with Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber soon.

RD 3, PK 93: Gabriel Rincones Jr, OF, FAU, 22yo, 6’4 225lbs

With the 93rd pick the Phillies selected Gabriel Rincones Jr out of Florida Atlantic University. Rincones batted .346 with an 1.100 OPS along with 19 home runs for FAU last season. The number 1 thing you get with him is his pure raw power off the bat. He's a guy that if everything pans out you could see in the majors sooner rather than later.

RD 4, PK 122: Alex McFarlane, RHP, Miami, 22yo, 6’4 215lbs

With the 122nd pick the Phillies selected RHP Alex McFarlane from the University of Miami. Mcfarlane spent time as a starter and out of the pen for the Hurricanes. That means he will most likely make the move to the bullpen full time as the big leagues tend to put more stress on pitchers arms. He tends to strike out a lot of batters but does struggle keeping the ball on the ground. He's an All around hit or miss prospect but he has some good boom potential.

RD 5, PK 152: Orion Kerkering, RHP, USF, 22yo, 6’2 204lbs

With the 152nd pick the Phillies selected Orion Kerkering a RHP out of USF. He struggled last season for the Bulls with a 5.07 ERA while switching between a starter and closer role. But his strikeout to walk numbers suggest possible improvement in the future. Kerkering is certainly a project for the Phils to work on, but you can certainly not rule out seeing him in the bigs.

RD 6, PK 182: Mavis Graves, LHP, Eastside HS (SC), 18yo, 6’6 205lbs

With the 182nd pick the Phillies selected LHP Mavis Graves out of Eastside HS in South Carolina. Graves batted .346 with 8 home runs, while also boasting a 2.01 ERA on a 6-1 record all while racking up 81 strikeouts. He definitely has potential but will undoubtedly be a long term project.

RD 7, PK 212: Caleb Ricketts, C, University of San Diego, 22yo, 6’4 225lbs

With the 212th pick the Phillies selected Catcher Caleb Ricketts out of the University of San Diego. Ricketts dominated in his “junior season”, piling up great numbers and accolades galore. One interesting tidbit about Ricketts is he can play the Outfield, he proved this with 12 starts in the field for San Diego last season. Ricketts will bring good hitting and some powerful versatility to the Phils farm system.

RD 8, Pk 242: Alex Rao, RHP, Notre Dame, 22yo, 6’4 230lbs

With the 242nd pick the Phillies selected RHP Alex Rao out of Notre Dame. Rao racked up 53 K’s and 3 saves in 47.0 Innings of relief, for the Fighting Irish last year. Rao is a proven reliever unlike many other pitchers who will need to make the switch. He's definitely got a shot to work out for the Fightins if all goes well for him.

RD 9, PK 272: Chad Castillo, OF, California Baptist University, 22yo, 6’4 225lbs

With the 272nd pick the Phillies selected OF Chad Castillo out of California Baptist University. Castillo put up video game type numbers for the Lancers of CBU last season. This is to be expected coming from any player who is drafted out of the lower levels of Collegiate ball. But the Phillies clearly saw something in this guy and only time will tell if it will come to fruition.

RD 10, PK 302: Gustavo Sosa, C, South Mountain CC (AZ), 21yo, 6’2 203lbs

With the 302nd pick the Phillies selected C Gustavo Sosa out of South Mountain Community College in Arizona. A lot like the aforementioned Chad Castillo, Sosa coming from CC put up some incredible numbers. He is yet another good all around catcher for the Phils to try and workout in the minors.

RD 11, PK 332: Boyd Emaarion, OF, South Panola HS (MS), 18yo, 6’1 177lbs

With the 332nd pick the Phillies selected OF Boyd Emanation Out of South Panola High School in Batesville Mississippi. Emaarion was voted Mississippi High School player of the year last season. Boyd is another guy with some lightning quick speed, he has been compared to former Phillie Roman Quinn in the past and definitely has some potential if he can start putting wood to leather.

RD 12, PK 362: Jordan Dissin, C, Saddleback College, 20yo, 6’3 185lbs

With the 362nd pick the Phillies selected Jordan Dissin out of Saddleback College. Dissin is a Pottstown native and graduate of Malvern Prep. He batted .393 for the Bobcats last season and will look to make up ground in a crowded field of catchers in the Phillies minor leagues.

RD 13, PK 392: Cade Fergus, OF, George Washington University, 21yo, 6’3 195lbs

With the 392nd pick the Phillies selected Cade Fergus out of George Washington University. Fergus had a breakout season for GWU with 16 home runs. Yet another outfield power bat for the Phillies to try and develop.

RD 14, PK 422: Bryan Rincon, SS, Shaler Area HS (PA), 18yo, 5’11 185lbs

With the 422nd pick the Phillies selected SS Bryan Rincon out of Shaler Area HS in Pittsburgh PA. Rincon is a switch hitter with plus defense and speed. Definitely has some potential that the Phillies can unlock.

RD 15, PK 452: Troy Schreffler, OF, Maryland, 21yo, 6’1 190lbs

With the 452nd pick the Phillies selected Harrisburg native Troy Schreffler out of Maryland. Schreffler made 3rd team all BIG10 last season and boasted a .550+ SLG% along with a .350+ BA AVG.

RD 16, PK 482: Josh Bortka, RHP, University of Central Missouri, 23yo, 6’5 225lbs

With the 482nd pick the Phillies selected Josh Bortka out of the University of Central Missouri. Bortka was a standout reliever for the UCM with a 2.02 ERA through 24.1 innings. We will see how he translates to the big leagues.

RD 17, PK 512: Daniel Harper, RHP, Kentucky, 23yo, 6’4 225lbs

With the 512th pick the Phillies selected 5th year senior Daniel Harper out of Kentucky. Harper is yet another reliever, the Phillies are clearly trying to build up a bullpen youth movement in their minor leagues.

RD 18, PK 542: Braylen Wimmer, 2B, South Carolina, 21yo, 6’4 200lbs

With the 542nd pick the Phillies selected 2nd baseman Braylen Wimmer out of the University of South Carolina. Wimmer is coming off a career year at South Carolina where he slashed .316.

RD 19, PK 572: Drew Garrett, RHP, Missouri, 22yo, 6’6 205lbs

With the 572nd pick the Phillies selected RHP Drew Garrett out of the University of Missouri. Garrett struggled mightily last season after making the jump from community college posting a 10.50 ERA.

RD 20, 602: Nathan Karaffa, RHP, Ohio State, 21yo, 6’1 202lbs

With the 602nd pick the Phillies selected RHP Nathan Karaffa out of Ohio State. Karaffa was a position player for his first 3 seasons at OSU, it came as a surprise to some that he was announced as a pitcher when he was selected.