Since it looks like the Phillies don’t have a pile of money to spend, I am going to condense their day 3 picks into a running thread.
Round 11: Titan Hayes, RHP, Austin Peay (TN)
Hayes is a redshirt junior who has bounced around before landing at Austin Peay where he was ok in relief. He has been pitching well in the Cape Cod League (6 G 6.2 IP 2 H 1 R 0 ER 3 BB 12 K) with a fastball that can get up to 100.
Round 12: A.J. Wilson, LHP, UNC Charlotte (NC)
Wilson is a grad student who spent two years at ECU before going to UNC Charlotte. His numbers this year were the best of his career as he pitched as a bulk reliever, throwing 59.1 innings in 27 games. He had a 4.85 ERA despite walking 23 (he did hit 12) and striking out 86 in the time. He reportedly has one of the best sweepers in class and a low 90s fastball. There is some MLB relief ceiling here and even though he is more usual of their NDFA picks, I can see why they reached.
Round 13: Tegan Cain, RHP, Kansas
Cain is a short (6’0″) right hander with a side arm delivery with a fastball that sits mid 90s and can reportedly get up to 98 or 99. He struggled in his only year at Kansas, posting a 5.94 ERA in 33.1 innings with 37 hits, 18 walks, and 47 strikeouts. There are definitely control concerns and while he has a changeup and a slider, neither has drawn raves in the public reporting. Arm strength relief prospect.
Round 14: Jared Spencer, LHP, Indiana State
Spencer is a 6’3″ 195lb LHP who both started and relieved this year for Indiana State. He had a 4.08 ERA and 33 walks and 72 strikeouts in 53 innings. He is almost certainly a reliever in pro ball with a good slider and a fastball that sits low to mid 90s and can touch up to 98. There is going to need to be some clean up on the delivery and control, but he has some physical projection left and maybe a full time move to the bullpen will help him.
Round 15: Luke Gabrysh, RHP, Saint Joseph’s
Gabrysh is another big righty reliever. He struggled during the season with a 6.10 ERA and 20 walks to 37 strikeouts out of the bullpen. He has been great in the draft league for Trenton pitching 12.2 innings with a 1.42 ERA, 6 hits allowed, 5 walks, and 23 strikeouts. He has a sinker that is 92-95 and a high spin sweeper.
Round 16: Eli Trop, RHP, Pennsylvania
Trop pitched very well in 2023 because college, Cape Cod League, and the draft league, but was less effective this season. He is a big guy who has reportedly previously in the high 90s, but was more low 90s this season. He is currently transferring to Texas.
Round 17: Ryan Degges, RHP, UNC Charlotte (NC)
Degges comes from the same school as Wilson. Baseball America reports that 2024 was his first time pitching full time after being a two way player in JuCo. They report he has a low release point riding fastball that averages 94 and can get up to 97. He pairs that with a sweeper that grades out well with their models.
Round 18: Kevin Warunek, LHP, Longwood University (VA)
Warunek is a big tall lefty who struggled with control (5.4/9) but managed to keep runs of the board. He is transferring to Coastal Carolina.
Round 19: Erik Ritchie, RHP, East Carolina (NC)
Ritchie is a short lefty who is on the young side for the class (turned 21 last month). He struggled as both a starter and a reliever for ECU with a 6.67 ERA, 27 walks, and 33 strikeouts in 29.2 innings this year.
Round 20: Kyler Carmack, RHP, Ole Miss
The first pass at Carmack’s numbers might not give you a lot of hope. He only appeared in 9 games for Ole Miss and struggled there and in summer ball this year. However, in 2023 as a redshirt freshman Carmack was second team all-freshman with Arkansas State. His fastball reportedly sits low 90s and will get up to 96. He had a plus changeup and then throws a breaking ball. Control is a problem, but he is the only guy they took today that has a chance to be a starting pitching prospect. He is transferring back to Arkansas State, so he might not be an easy or sure signing as he will be a red shirt junior next season.