Phillies Draft Needs

The Phillies hope to find future players that will eventually
 be playing in this ballpark.

Many people do not know, but the 2011 MLB Draft is coming up on Monday.  This draft is probably the least exciting out of all the major sports, which is why no one really knows about it.  This marks an opportunity for the Philadelphia Phillies to replenish their farm system and fill some needs.  With so many rounds and so many surprise players it is always better to select by talent, but should the Phillies select by position instead this year.  The Phillies have a lot of young talent in the outfield and right handed pitching, so maybe they should address other needs like middle infielders, catchers and left handed pitching.  Here is a look at the positions the Phillies could really use some talent at. 

Middle Infield:  The Phillies are getting old in the majors with Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley, let alone one is in his contract year and the other has injury problems.  With that said the Phillies minor league middle infielders aren't so great.  There is some talent in the minors like Freddy Galvis, he is very good defensively, but will his bat ever be ready for the majors.  Other then Galvis the Phillies have a few very young and raw middle infielders, none are eye popping though.  With that said middle infield is a major need for the Phillies and not just players to fill the spots, they need players that are highly talented.  In a couple years the Phillies infield is going to look differently and this is the year to find those players.  Bottom line, this is one of the biggest needs for the Phillies, besides in the majors they have no talent at middle infield and they need to change that.

Left Handed Pitching:  Another position that the Phillies could really use some help is lefty pitching.  The Phillies addressed part of this issue last year, but one player isn't going to do it.  Every team always wants and needs lefty pitching so the Phillies aren't the only team looking for lefties.  The Phillies could use some good lefty prospects in their farm system.  Look for the Phillies to draft a couple lefty pitchers as they look to fill this need as well. 

Catcher:  The catcher position has never been a position of greatness for the Phillies and it looks to stay that way if they do not find another good prospect.  They have Carlos Ruiz who has been solid in the majors, and have a good young prospect in Sebastian Valle.  Valle has been catching his whole career in the minors, but some project him to eventually be a third basemen.  Anyway even if Valle is going to stick at catcher the Phillies still need another young prospect.  The Phillies could really use a talented catcher in their system and drafting one on Monday or even a couple seems very likely. 

The Phillies are rumored to not just select for positions they need, but just talent overall.  The Phillies do need to address these positions, but they also need to just select the best player.  It will be interesting to see if the Phillies can fill their needs with the best talent available, but we will have to wait until Monday to see how it all works out.