The Phillies have long been linked to the University of Virginia bats at the top of the draft. As the draft went mostly to chalk and the Diamondbacks took first baseman Pavin Smith, the pick was obvious. So with the 8th pick in the 2017 draft the Phillies took center fielder Adam Haseley. Haseley is a two way player in college (he is around 90 off the mound from the left side), but he will only hit in pro ball. He was a breakout prospect this season, showing more power and hit tool. As a junior he hit .390/.491/.659 with 14 home runs in 58 games. He also walked 44 times to 21 strikeouts.
There were not many non-first base college hitters in this draft and Haseley should be able to stick in center field long term. He is an above average runner with a solid arm who will be able to play right if he has to move out of center field. Haseley’s best tool is his hit tool which is enhanced by a great approach at the plate. He has average raw power and should be able to be a high teens a year home run threat in the majors. Haseley lacks any standout tools, he might not even have a plus tool, but all of his tools are average to above average which makes him a really solid all-around player.
The only real negative to Haseley is that he is similar to a few hitters already in the organization in Mickey Moniak and Odubel Herrera. All three are left handed hitting center fielders with hit tool over power. I think Haseley has more power than Moniak, but Moniak is the better fielder and is a grade or two faster. Herrera has the track record and hit tool on all three of them. It is pushing it to say all three will share the Philadelphia outfield at some point, but if they do their all around games should make up for the lack of power. Haseley is advanced enough he should at minimum start in Lakewood next to Moniak, but the Phillies could be aggressive and push him to Clearwater.