The top Phillies Draft pick from every season
Here is a look at the first player the Phillies selected in every Draft (specifically, the Rule 4 Draft -- typically in June) since 1965:
2024: Dante Nori, OF, Northville (Mich.) High School (No. 27)
The Phillies think they got a top-of-the-lineup sparkplug in the 5-foot-10, 190-pound center fielder. Nori was touted as a player with an advanced approach at the plate and the ability to hit line drives from foul pole to foul pole. He knows the strike zone. He has excellent bat-to-ball skills. He knows how to get on base, and when he does, he likes to wreak havoc on the basepaths. Nori comes from a sports family. His grandfather, Fred Nori, played two years of Minor League ball before coaching at Indiana University. His father, Micah Nori, is a longtime NBA assistant coach.
2023: Aidan Miller, SS, J.W. Mitchell High School (Trinity, Fla) (No. 27)
The Phillies thought they got a steal in Miller, who missed almost his entire senior season after breaking his left hand early in the spring of 2023. He signed for $3.1 million. The previous summer, Miller won the All-American Game MVP and Home Run Derby during MLB's All-Star break in Los Angeles. A right-handed-hitting infielder, Miller had plus raw power with an ability to turn around velocity without difficulty. He also showed a solid approach that enabled him to make consistent contact, limit strikeouts and work counts, giving the Phillies more confidence he’ll continue to get to that power as he moves up the ladder.
2022: Justin Crawford, OF, Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas) (No. 17)
Crawford is the son of Carl Crawford, who spent 15 seasons in the big leagues with the Rays, Red Sox and Dodgers. Justin Crawford batted .503 (77-for-153) with 17 doubles, eight triples, five home runs, 52 RBIs, 20 stolen bases and a 1.379 OPS in 42 games during his senior season at Bishop Gorman. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound outfielder has elite speed and Gold Glove potential in center field.
2021: Andrew Painter, RHP, Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (No. 13)
Painter established himself as one of the top prep pitchers in the country because of his combination of size, stuff and feel for pitching. He is 6-foot-7 and 215 pounds with a fastball that sits in the 94-96 mph range and touches 97 mph. He throws a four-seam fastball, sinker, curveball, slider and changeup. He went 6-1 with a 0.31 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings as a senior, earning Florida’s Gatorade Player of the Year Award.
2020: Mick Abel, RHP, Jesuit HS (Ore.) (No. 15)
Regarded as the best high school pitcher in the Draft, Abel drew comparisons to everybody from Stephen Strasburg to Mike Soroka to Jack Flaherty to Rick Porcello to Justin Verlander. He was the two-time Gatorade Oregon Baseball Player of the Year.
2019: Bryson Stott, SS, University of Nevada at Las Vegas (No. 14)
The Phillies loved Stott’s hit tool when they selected him with the 14th overall pick. He made his MLB debut in 2022 and started at shortstop for them in the World Series against Houston.
2018: Alec Bohm, 3B, Wichita State (No. 3)
Bohm was considered the most polished hitter in the Draft when the Phillies selected him, although there were questions about his ability to play third base for an extended period of time.
2017: Adam Haseley, OF, University of Virginia (No. 8)
The Phillies’ analytics department pushed hard for Haseley because he charted well in measurable metrics like average exit velocity at the University of Virginia. But Haseley never lived up to those metrics, and the Phillies traded him to the White Sox in March 2022 for right-handed reliever McKinley Moore.
2016: Mickey Moniak, OF, La Costa Canyon HS (Calif.) (No. 1)
Moniak never caught on as an everyday player with Philadelphia. The club traded him to the Angels in 2022 for right-hander Noah Syndergaard, who fortified the rotation on the Phillies’ way to the postseason that year.
2015: Cornelius Randolph, SS, Griffin HS (Ga.) (No. 10)
The Phillies compared Randolph to Tony Gwynn when they selected him, but he never lived up to the hype. He never got higher than Triple-A Lehigh Valley and left the organization following the 2021 season.
2014: Aaron Nola, RHP, Louisiana State University (No. 7)
When he was selected, Nola was touted as a safe pick and a projected middle-of-the-rotation starter. He’s proved to be much better than that.
2013: J.P. Crawford, SS, Lakewood HS (Calif.) (No. 16)
Crawford played with the Phillies from 2017-18. They included him in the December 2018 trade with Seattle to help them get rid of Carlos Santana’s contract after only one season. They got Jean Segura in return.
2012: Shane Watson, RHP, Lakewood HS (Calif.) (No. 40)
Injuries derailed Watson’s career. He never reached the big leagues and has been out of professional baseball since 2018.
2011: Larry Greene, OF, Berrien County HS (Ga.) (No. 39)
Greene told the Phillies that he retired after just three seasons in their system. He never played above Class A Lakewood.
2010: Jesse Biddle, LHP, Germantown Friends HS (Pa.) (No. 27)
Biddle never pitched for the Phillies. He made his big league debut with the Braves in 2018.
2009: Kelly Dugan, OF, Sherman Oaks HS (Calif.) (No. 75)
Dugan never reached the big leagues. He reached Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2015. He played in ‘21 with the Lancaster Barnstormers in the independent Atlantic League.
2008: Anthony Hewitt, SS, Salisbury Prep (Conn.) (No. 24)
Hewitt never reached higher than Double-A with the Phillies. He played his final season of professional baseball in 2016.
2007: Joe Savery, LHP, Rice University (No. 19)
Savery made 41 appearances with the Phillies from 2011-13 and tried converting to a position player at one point before the A’s claimed him off waivers in February 2014.
2006: Kyle Drabek, RHP, The Woodlands HS (Texas) (No. 18)
Drabek never pitched for the Phillies, but Philadelphia included him in the trade that brought it Roy Halladay in December 2009.
2005: Mike Costanzo, 3B, Coastal Carolina University (No. 65)
Costanzo attended Archbishop Carroll High School in Radnor, Pa. He never played for the Phillies, who traded him, Michael Bourn and Geoff Geary to Houston in November 2007 in the trade that brought them Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett.
2004: Greg Golson, OF, John R. Connally HS (Texas) (No. 21)
Golson played only six games for the Phillies in 2008. They traded him to the Rangers in November 2008 for John Mayberry Jr.
2003: Tim Moss, 2B, University of Texas at Austin (No. 85)
The Phillies lost their first two picks after signing Jim Thome and David Bell. Moss never panned out, but fourth-round pick Michael Bourn did.
2002: Cole Hamels, LHP, Rancho Bernardo HS (Calif.) (No. 17)
Hamels’ 59.1 WAR is the second highest among first-round picks in Phillies history. He won the 2008 World Series and NLCS MVP Award honors. He also threw a no-hitter in his final start for the Phillies in July 2015.
2001: Gavin Floyd, RHP, Mount St. Joseph’s HS (Md.) (No. 4)
Floyd struggled in three seasons with the Phillies before they traded him in December 2006 to help them acquire Freddy Garcia. Floyd had a solid career with the White Sox.
2000: Chase Utley, 2B, University of California, Los Angeles (No. 15)
The greatest second baseman in Phillies history is also one of the most popular players in franchise history. His 64.5 WAR is the highest of any Phillies first-round pick.
1999: Brett Myers, RHP, Englewood HS (Fla.) (No. 12)
Myers helped the Phillies win their first NL East title in 14 years as their closer in 2007. He returned to the rotation in ‘08 to help them win the World Series.
1998: Pat Burrell, 3B, University of Miami (No. 1)
The Phillies converted Burrell into an outfielder, a position he played the majority of his nine-year career with Philadelphia. He helped the Phils win the 2008 World Series and led the team’s parade down Broad Street.
1997: J.D. Drew, OF, Lowndes County HS (Ga.) (No. 2)
The Phillies famously selected and did not sign Drew, who had a solid 14-year career with the Cardinals, Red Sox, Dodgers and Braves.
1996: Adam Eaton, RHP, Snohomish HS (Wash.) (No. 11)
The Phillies traded Eaton to the Padres in November 1999 as part of the Andy Ashby trade. He later returned to the Phillies, signing as a free agent before the 2007 season. He had a 6.10 ERA in ‘07-08 before the Phillies released him.
1995: Reggie Taylor, OF, Newberry HS (S.C.) (No. 14)
Taylor played 14 games for the Phillies before they traded him to the Reds in March 2002 for Hector Mercado. The Phillies were planning to take Roy Halladay, if the Pirates selected Taylor with the 10th overall pick. But once Pittsburgh took another player, they went with Taylor instead.
1994: Carlton Loewer, RHP, Mississippi State University (No. 23)
Loewer pitched for the Phillies in 1998-99 and two more seasons with the Padres. He had a 6.12 ERA in 48 career appearances.
1993: Wayne Gomes, RHP, Old Dominion University (No. 4)
Gomes pitched parts of five seasons with the Phillies, picking up a career-high 19 saves in 1999. The first round of this Draft included Trot Nixon, Billy Wagner, Derrek Lee, Chris Carpenter, Torii Hunter and Jason Varitek.
1992: Chad McConnell, OF, Creighton University (No. 13)
McConnell never played in the big leagues. Shannon Stewart (19th overall), Rick Helling (22nd) and Jason Kendall (23rd) and Johnny Damon (35th) were selected after him.
1991: Tyler Green, RHP, Wichita State University (No. 10)
Green pitched parts of four seasons with the Phillies, which included a spot on the 1995 NL All-Star team.
1990: Mike Lieberthal, C, Westlake HS (Calif.) (No. 3)
No one has caught more games in Phillies history than Lieberthal’s 1,139. He made the National League All-Star team in 1999 and 2000 and won the ‘99 NL Gold Glove Award.
1989: Jeff Jackson, OF, Simeon HS (Ill.) (No. 4)
Jackson never played in the big leagues. He never reached higher than Double-A Reading with the Phillies. The White Sox selected Frank Thomas with the seventh overall pick. The Expos selected Charles Johnson with the 10th overall pick.
1988: Pat Combs, LHP, Baylor University (No. 11)
Combs posted a 4.22 ERA in 56 appearances (54 starts) over four seasons. Tino Martinez (14th overall), Royce Clayton (15th) and Charles Nagy (17th) were picked shortly thereafter.
1987: Matt Rambo, LHP, Richland College (No. 52)
Rambo never pitched in the big leagues.
1986: Brad Brink, RHP, University of Southern California (No. 7)
Brink made 10 appearances for the Phillies in 1992-93. He made four more appearances for the Giants in ‘94.
1985: Trey McCall, C, Abingdon HS (Va.) (No. 15)
McCall never played in the big leagues. Brian McRae (17th overall), Joe Magrane (18th), Gregg Jefferies (20th) and Rafael Palmeiro (22nd) were selected right behind him.
1984: Pete Smith, RHP, Burlington HS (Mass.) (No. 21)
Smith never pitched for the Phillies, who traded him and Ozzie Virgil to Atlanta in December 1985 for Steve Bedrosian and Milt Thompson. Smith spent 11 years in the big leagues with the Braves, Mets, Reds, Padres and Orioles.
1983: Ricky Jordan, 1B, Grant Union HS (Calif.) (No. 22)
Jordan came off the bench to help the 1993 Phillies win the National League Championship Series. He played with the franchise from ‘88-94.
1982: John Russell, C, University of Oklahoma (No. 13)
Russell played with the Phillies from 1984-88 and five more seasons with the Braves and Rangers. He managed the Pirates from 2008-10.
1981: Johnny Abrego, RHP, Mission HS (Calif.) (No. 20)
Abrego made six appearances for the Cubs in 1985, but he never pitched for the Phillies and never pitched again in the big leagues.
1980: Henry Powell, C, Pine Forest HS (Fla.) (No. 13)
Powell never played in the big leagues.
1979: Kyle Money, RHP, W.W. Samuel HS (Texas) (No. 46)
Money never pitched in the big leagues.
1978: Rip Rollins, 1B, Allegheny HS (N.C.) (No. 23)
Rollins never played in the big leagues. Cal Ripken Jr. was selected with the 48th overall pick that year.
1977: Scott Munninghoff, RHP, Purcell Marian HS (Ohio) (No. 22)
Munninghoff made four appearances for the Phillies in 1980, but he never again pitched in the big leagues.
1976: Jeff Kraus, SS, Colerain HS (Ohio) (No. 17)
Kraus never played in the big leagues. The Dodgers selected Delaware County’s Mike Scioscia two picks later.
1975: Sammye Welborn, RHP, Wichita Falls HS (Texas) (No. 12)
Welborn never pitched in the big leagues.
1974: Lonnie Smith, OF, Centennial HS (Calif.) (No. 3)
Smith’s 38.5 WAR is the fourth highest of any first-round pick in franchise history. He played in all six games of the 1980 World Series. The Phillies sent him to the Cardinals in a three-team trade in November 1981.
1973: John Stearns, C, University of Colorado (No. 2)
The Phillies traded him to the Mets in December 1974 in a six-player trade that netted them closer Tug McGraw.
1972: Larry Christenson, RHP, Marysville HS (Wash.) (No. 3)
Christenson spent his entire 11-year career with the Phillies. He started Game 4 of the 1980 World Series.
1971: Roy Thomas, RHP, Lompoc HS (Calif.) (No. 6)
Thomas pitched parts of eight seasons with three teams, but he never played with the Phillies.
1970: Mike Martin, LHP, Olympia HS (S.C.) (No. 5)
Martin never pitched in the big leagues.
1969: Mike Anderson, 1B, Timmonsville HS (S.C.) (No. 6)
Anderson played nine seasons, including parts of six seasons with the Phillies. He started a career-high 104 games in 1974.
1968: Greg Luzinski, 1B, Notre Dame HS (Ill.) (No. 11)
One of the greatest sluggers in Phillies history, “The Bull” helped Philadelphia win the 1980 World Series.
1967: Phil Meyer, LHP, Pius X HS (Calif.) (No. 14)
Meyer never pitched in the big leagues. The Orioles selected Bobby Grich (71.0 WAR) with the 19th overall pick.
1966: Michael Biko, RHP, W.W. Samuel HS (Texas) (No. 9)
Biko never pitched in the big leagues. The Phillies passed on 13th overall pick Gary Nolan (25.9 WAR) and 15th overall pick Richie Hebner (33.0 WAR).
1965: Mike Adamson, RHP, University of Southern California (No. 18)
Adamson never pitched for the Phillies, instead pitching parts of three seasons with the Orioles. Johnny Bench was the 36th overall pick that year.