High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Jack Fritz's 2023 MLB Draft Prospect Tiers

Episode Date: July 9, 2023

Jack Fritz runs through his favorite draft prospects ahead of Sunday night's MLB draft and talks about the best fits for the Phillies. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All-star closer, Kenley Jansen, we have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball Isn't Boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago and is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is.

Another fact, so jump aboard the B.I.B. Express. Follow and listen to Baseball Isn't Boring, presented by Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. All right, are you ready? It's the whole reason we did this pod. I mean, you know, sweeping the Rays is nice. Cute little story.

Cute little story, but it's draft time, buddy. All right, should I turn my mic off? Should I add some color? You know, what should I do here? I'll sit back. I don't know how you should, frankly, handle this. You can just do whatever you want to do. Okay, I'll get out of here.

Well, hold on. So the plan for Sunday, I think, is going to be this, is that we'll do a podcast reacting to the Marlins. Yes, we will. Without a doubt, 100%. And then I think I'm going to come on after you're long asleep. Oh, I will be way asleep, buddy. Especially because, like, for anyone who comes to the event Tuesday

night, feel free to ask me how annoyed I am that I have to wake up at 3.20 the next morning. I will be annoyed, but I'll be happy to see everyone. Someone else can sympathize with your tiredness. I'm going to have to nap. I'm going to have to take a nap during the day. Poor me. The poor me's. You know what?

You're right. Thank you. I am excited. I will not complain once. Good. So, and I think when they make the pick, I'll try to be on YouTube and do a live reaction as fast as possible once I gain my thoughts. Okay, good. And we're all good.

So, watch out for that, and then it'll be dropped from the podcast feed and all that stuff. And then I think we'll do a post draft full reaction probably wednesday yeah probably wednesday or thursday one of those days depending on because last year i went to virginia on the draft yeah and it was and i was like i didn't get a chance to dive into my guy we will definitely do either wednesday or thursday depending on probably basically how tired i am on wednesday after speaking out at night yes oh 100 Yes. But 100% it'll be. All right.

The first is, so I have my tears here. The tears of guys that die out of happiness. Real quick, I love that, so for those who don't know, if you're new to the pod, we did get some new listeners during the World Series. If you're new to the pod, we do this every year. And amazingly, Jack has found different names for each tier every year. This is great. It's mostly because I forget what I said the year before Yeah, but you always have good tiers

Thank you Guys, I'd die out of happiness if they are Phillies Okay Two is be very happy Okay You know, I would not be anti these guys I'd be very happy, but I would not die out of happiness And then my last tier is would have to talk myself into it

Yeah, so yeah, the talk myself into Has always been a staple of the tiers But otherwise I don't want to be negative No yeah yeah look if they really draft a guy You'll figure it out Justin Crawford by the way at like 330 Or whatever 35 stolen bases I'm excited

It's exciting he's got to lift the ball You know he could be really Maze Hayes I'll take it Yeah just be super fast And famously Andrew Painter was once in the Would have to talk myself into He's got to lift the ball, but he's excited. You know, he could be really Maze Hayes. I'll take it. Yeah, just be super fast. And famously, Andrew Painter was once in the would-have-to-talk-myself-into group. I didn't even bring up Justin Crawford last year because I was like, no way they're going to do it. Yeah, it wasn't even mentioned.

And by the way, Johan Rojas is heating up at AA. He's been really good, yeah. All right, the guys that die out of happiness here, number one is obviously Chase Davis. We know. So, all right. The guys that die out of happiness here. Number one is obviously Chase Davis. I've just. We know. It is the number one. Your heart is Chase's. Yes.

As it has been before. The most important Chase in Philly's history. Oh, the bit's not dead, buddy. It's Chase Davis. The bit's not dead. But so today, Keith Law, our good friend of the podcast. Like great friend. Yeah.

Really just enjoyed his time on the pod. Really enjoyed his time here. You know, there was no bristling between the two of you the podcast. Like, great friend. Yeah, really enjoyed his time on the pod. Really enjoyed his time here. You know, there was no bristling between the two of you. Yes, yes. It was great. And I was right. You were right. I'm just saying, you were right.

So Keith Law. There is no way it'll take a high school. Yeah. No way. Deep breaths, Keith. Did he get Keith back on the pod? Yeah, I'm sure he'd be pumped. Jim Callis also put out his mock draft.

No, no, it's Jonathan Mayo. Jonathan Mayo. And they both had Chase Davis at 27. Whoa, really? So that's really exciting. Oh, buddy. Oh, buddy. But the people that I trust have him going like top down.

Whoa. Okay, so real quick. I know the baseball draft is super weird with slotting and paying and all that, but explain just real quick before you dive in, and not to extend this longer than I need to, but how does that happen? How does someone get mocked at 27 and go 10? Because the teams in the top 10 have more money, and they can just spread out the money and go underslot.

So the Phillies can only pay, I think, a guy like $2 million at 27. money and go under slot. So, like, the Phillies can only pay, I think, a guy like $2 million at 27. Teams in the top 10 have, like, $5 to $6 million, I believe, in their slot allotment. So they can offer him, like, $4, but they still have $2 million they can spread out the rest of the draft. The Phillies only have $2 million. Right. But my point is, like, how does he potentially pick $8 or less to $27?

Why wouldn't he go $14? Why wouldn't he go $7? Oh, he could. He could. I'm just saying, like. I think there's a high chance he goes top 10 because I think teams believe in his talent and can sign him for cheaper and spread the money out.

I get it. They take him for cheaper and spread the money. I got you. I was misunderstanding. I got you. So he's like not necessarily a top 10 pick on paper. He's not a top 10 talent per se. They feel like you can take him early, get the money out of the way. And still potentially get a top 10 talent because

the bat has such upside. Honestly, I would not be surprised if he goes number one and they underslot him that much. I mean, I'm just telling you. Wow. I know it's a team's deal. The model-based teams will do something like that. The Orioles, I would be

shocked if the Orioles pass him at 17th because it's something they would love to do. Do they even need more young talent? Holy cow! Dude after dude after dude. I would die to have what the Orioles could do. I know, they're like your perfect. It's like every week, oh now we're bringing this guy up.

Yeah, you know, 45 home runs and double. I know. Connor Henderson, man. Yeah. I mean, Adley Rushman's like one of the most exciting young players in the sport. Like, that dude's freaking awesome. And Jackson's coming.

Yeah, Westbrook. Like, they just have all these freaking guys. Oh, yeah, Jackson. I mean, they freaking, like, seriously? Yeah, they brought up another kid. They brought up Colton Galser the other day. Yes. It's just like dude after dude after dude.

I didn't like him in the draft. I did not like him in the draft. Wow. But whatever. He's not a Phil. You don't have Wow. But whatever. He's not a Phil. He's not a Phil. Frankly, I'll be shocked if he's there at 27. If he's there, I'll be thrilled.

Walker Martin is a guy, this 19-year-old. So he's 19, so maybe that's the reason he falls, because he's older for a high school prospect, so teams don't like that. Walker Martin, great name. I agree. Great name. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And if they drafted a Walker on Walker's birthday, you want to talk about synergy. Yeah, that's strong. And if they drafted a Walker on Walker's birthday, you're going to talk about synergy. Yeah. That's strong. A lot of people think he's going to be a centerpiece. I also like the people who, because Walker obviously could be a first name or a last name, but I think most people, at least historically, it's more a last name than a first name. I like the people who have the last name than the first name, like Walker Martin, a first name more than a last name.

I like that. Good. It's like a two first names guy in a way. Right. My only problem with Walker Martin is I keep saying Ethan Martin. Oh, yeah. And it's like former Phil Gray. Of course.

Yeah. All-timer. So I just think he's going to rake. And all the reports are that he's just crushing in the interviews. Like, people love him. Ooh. So I'm always impartial. Ah, you know me.

I'm a big interview guy. Yep. And then third is Hurston Waldrop, the Florida pitcher who I just believe he's used wrong. And I think his split changeup is already the best pitch in baseball. Hurston Waldrop sounds like someone who should be living on Martha's Vineyard. I agree. And he should be a third. Third.

Hurston Waldrop the third. Hurston Waldrop the third. Nailed it. Yes. All right. Guys I'd be very happy with. Charlie Soto is a former shortstop turn pitcher. Just sounds like a baseball player.

Yeah, he throws 98 already. He's a little smaller, but you watch him, you see it change up. He has a good feel for it. Johnny Farmello. Like a little smaller or like small, small? No, like 6'1", small. So not like 6'0", small. Not 6'0", small.

Similar size. Similar? Similar size. Poor 6'0". Johnny, I know. I know. Bring him back, though. Yeah, I would tell you.

Hey, get him with our development team. Who knows what could happen? Okay. Johnny Farmello. Okay. I'm talking too much. Johnny Farmello, who I think is probably going to end up being a Dodger. He's a prep kid that's going to Virginia, hits the ball really hard,

swings kind of ugly, but hits the ball hard. So I think teams are going to try to iron out his deficiencies. Last great name. Yeah, Johnny Farmello. That's tough. What about Sammy Stifora? I kind of like that. Sammy Stifora. I can get by on Sammy Stifora. Farmello and Stifora, to me, both have kind of ugly swings,

but they hit the ball hard. So I think it's someone that a lot of projection teams, especially 25 to 35 in the comp rounds, are like, that's a top 10 talent if we can get the swing right. So I'll take a shot on that. George Lombard, he kind of just does everything well but nothing great, but he's a young kid with projection.

And his dad was a draft pick. Okay. You notice there are some names where you just can't imagine them being like a young kid? George Lombard sounds like a 70-year-old guy. Yeah, for sure. Like, he just does. So we'll see if he's really 18 or 70. Yeah, exactly. Teams will have to figure that out during the draft process. It's going to be an important clarification for those teams. Yeah. Really

smooth defender. People think he's probably a third baseman long-term. Blake Mitchell is a catcher, but he can play center field. He's that athletic. Wow. It's like JT-esque. Yeah, but a beautiful swing. Frankly, I think he's just I think he could be there just because teams don't really need catchers, it feels like.

But if you're looking for a JT replacement, Blake Mitchell, they have to start thinking about it. Exactly. Yes, exactly. Great point. Nolan Schanel is a first baseman from FAU that all the, I i think the model teams like the teams that are super analytically driven are going to be all over just hits the ball hard by the best hitter in the country wow but he went to a small con a small school

level of competition so won't buy into him but he's there so he's a first baseman isn't fau like that program's grown right only because of the tournament is that yeah yeah okay they were in the final four yeah i was like i feel, I feel like they're the better program. They're a good baseball school for like my, not my level, but like. You're like,

wait a minute, a little better than me, but not like a traditional power. But he's a first baseman who I think could replace Reese in the next couple of years. Yo-Yo Morales, who I brought up a lot

at the beginning of the process. I still have concerns about swing and miss, but man, the swing is swing is like when he connects like he reminds me so much of aramis ramirez a dot i love aramis so we might me i realized when i say that that no one else knows that joke so we when we were doing our very first fantasy draft my buddy chad um we're doing the draft and we're going through it. He goes, I'll take A. Ramirez because he had no idea who he was. It was just A.

So he just became A. for our group forever. It was a good nickname, A. A. Ramirez. Kevin McGonigal, the local kid. I think he's just a second baseman. I think he's falling not because of his hit tool, just because I don't think people want to draft a second baseman so look at that i think he's falling not because of his hit tool just because i don't think no one like do people want to draft the second baseman that high um because

only to me it's like a projects as a second base yeah and that's not something people are like people usually like to drop the shortstop maybe become second baseman or that kind of stuff exactly so the hit tools there um i would not be upset with this hook about 27 at all that is weird though you're right yeah i think you rarely see guys like first round guys who are like pure second baseman well he's playing shortstop it's just like that's where he's gonna be yeah uh rock chowalski is a shortstop from southern california rock chowalski chaloski chaloski chaloski so it's a terrible obviously horrible last name rock is obviously it's a good name top tier name so as a name test guy that's a tough one for you. I know. Like, yeah, I'm actually intrigued.

So for those who don't know, Jack Fritz, the originator of the name test, used to be a big thing back in the day with the Jack Fritz name test. Shout out to Counterpoint Pod. What do you do with a guy like that? I know. Because that's a real tough one, you know? So my first option is change your name. Because if I change his name, I think he's a top 20 pick.

I mean, Rock, almost anything else. Yeah. Boom, look at that look at that dude rock chaloski it's just like again it's it's tough to see that name yeah you that's what you that's the point of the name test you got to think like all right like can i see this guy in the all-star game with that name can i see his jersey being sold at like the mlb store it's a tough one. I know. But, I mean, the defense is just transcendent. He might struggle against breaking balls, but I think his swing is really pure. And he's a UCLA quarterback commit. Oh.

And a shortstop. I'm a big multi-sport guy. So I think he's going to be hard to sign away because I think he's going to go and play both there. Probably. Let me tell you, being quarterback at UCLA, it seems like a pretty good gig. And the starting short. You have to play for Chip, though.

That's true. I just meant more in terms of the extracurricular life that you're living. Especially with NILs. What a life. So we'll see. The player, and you watch him, I like him a lot. And again, I really do. I'm not just saying that.

I like guys who are high-level athletes in multiple sports. There's just been enough. We've seen so many of those guys through the years, the Carl Crawfords or whatever, who it usually works out. Yeah. Trent Carraway is a shortstop that's going to eventually be a third baseman that just flat-out rakes. I think he's the next Austin Riley. And I know that's rich coming from be a third baseman that just flat out rakes like i think he's

the next austin riley and i know that's rich coming from me because i hate austin riley with every fiber of my being i can't believe you just said that as a compliment that was like i'm i'm shy i don't even know what to do right now i don't think they'll take him at 27 but i just get watch him he he looks like a 90s like he's a little crouched guy that just like lifts. He looks like a 90s power hitter. Love it. Yeah, he looks like a 90s power hitter. Cade Cooler.

Wow, Cade Cooler. He is a little right-handed pitcher from Campbell. Fast balls, jumps. He's starting to work his way into first-round conversation. He's jumped up the last week, I want to say. I don't think they'll take him there, but I would be happy. Bryce Matthews is a shortstop from Nebraska who I think, if everything

works out, could be the next Mookie. Well, because all of his exits... I love you just throwing these out. Because his swing is exactly like Mookie's. You never do like, I think this guy could be the next Mike Cameron. Like, you always go freaking Mookie. Could be Mookie. Could be Mookie.

Mike Cameron, if you're Mike Cameron, what a great career like mike cameron was a damn good baseball player for a really long time great fielder had a nice career like you'd be happy to get a mike cameron you go mookie yeah well shortstop yeah you know so like i'm just saying the swing looks very similar exit vilos like just quick hands could be milky uh and then braden taylor's the third baseman from tcu at like 26 home runs this year just uh he i don't know i think he's a very very safe pick that i'd be happy with okay he works ton of walks hit some home runs hey fantasy football owners the road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now i'm matt harman from Reception Perception. Join me and James Coe as we take a deep dive into the position

that's going to make or break your fantasy roster. Wide receivers. We analyze route running, target share, and all the metrics that matter, giving you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers. As you prep for your draft, let us give you the coverage you need. Follow and listen to Reception Perception on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. All right, the tier that I would have to talk myself into,

Brock Wilkin is the third baseman from Wake Forest that had a ton of home runs this year. Just looks stiff to me. Just looks a little stiff. Jacob Wilson, I can't believe he's a first-rounder. Everyone's like, oh, he's going to go top 14. I watch him. I don't see it.

He's a shortstop from Grand Canyon. Philly's first round pick, this guy. Philly's first round pick, Jacob Wilson. Lock it in. Colt Emerson, a lot of people, he's a prep shortstop. If they took any prep shortstop, I'd be thrilled. I just don't really see it with Colt Emerson. That's my one

prep shortstop I would not be thrilled with. And then Thomas White, who they are 100% drafting, I would have to talk myself into. I just, no. Just no. No. All right. Real quick, before we move on from the first round to your late round, guys,

and I can't believe that you were giving us. Do you see these names? It's a lot of names. 15 names on there. Are you serious? 20 names on there. Late round, guys. Quickly before we...

Again, this is... 18. I said 15, 20. Not too bad by me. Just looking at it quickly. It's lucky it's not 11-04 at night. I would be... One quick question. You've talked a lot about how you want them to draft a hitter as opposed to a pitcher.

If you had to put... I know that best player available and all that type of stuff, but if you had to put odds on what you think they will do, just pitcher that... Yes, yes, yes. If you had to put... And I know that, you know, best player available and all that type of stuff, but if you had to put odds on what you think they will do, just pitcher or hitter, forgetting everything else, what kind of odds would you give towards hitter? 70%. Okay. I think their number one...

I think Chase Davis is 100% a Philly if he's there at 27. Right. I think Jonathan Mayo wrote yesterday that... No, fan graphs. He wrote yesterday that the floor for fan graphs. He wrote yesterday that the floor for Chase Davis is the Phillies, which means they're drafting him if he's there.

A jailing card in the Eagles. And then I think it's prep. I think it's prep shortstop and then pitcher. I think the only pitcher they would take over a prep shortstop or Chase Davis would be wall drop. If he falls there. Which I don't think he will. Alright, let's do the guys that.

All right, I'll make the, I promise I'll make this stop. I have to, because in case these guys are good, I want credit. I get it. I know how you roll, buddy. Robbie Velasquez is, like, he has the same. That's a baseball name right there. Same setup as Schwarber, like, and just hits tanks. And he said, like, I watched, by the way, I watched the perfect game, high school American

game, three times. He. Yeah. Like, yeah. By the way, I watched the perfect game, high school American game, three times. He said basically he's getting back to his wiffle boss. I'm happy to know that having a kid didn't slow you down at all in this environment. He goes about 7, 8 on the weekends. What am I supposed to do? I remember those days. Yeah, exactly. So he's way later than I am these days.

Liam Peterson's a Florida commit high school prep arm. He won't be there in the third round. Anyway, Nazan Zanatello I love, but I would not take him in 27. I don't think he'll be there in the third round. By the way, they don't have a second round pick, which is a disaster. Is that because of Turner? Yes. Max Anderson, a third baseman from Nebraska that hits the ball extremely hard.

Again, looks like a 90s slugger. Cole Schoenwetter I think has the best fastball in the draft. Cole Schoenwetter, I think, has the best fastball in the draft. Cole? Schoenwetter. I know. Terrible name. Again, if his name was just like Schoen or whatever. Yeah, fine.

Wetter. Cole Wetter. You know, it is funny, by the way, how like the only thing that I've brought to this little part of the pod is just critiquing their names. Yeah. Well, that's what I want from you. Okay, good. Steven Echevarria is a prep arm. Any relation to? No, because he's a high school kid from New Jersey. Well, you know,, good. Steven Echevarria is a prevalent. Any relation to?

No, because he's a high school kid from New Jersey. Well, you know, you never know. Echevarria, you don't learn that many out there. But we might use him in the grid coming up soon. Oh, buddy. He played for a good amount of teams. Yeah, he did. You're right.

He could be Max Scherzer. I'm just saying, like, first time I watched him I'm like wow he kind of finishes like Scherzer I love it it's a late Rio later on guy

or third or fourth could be Scherzer Isaiah Kopet is a little lefty from Ohio State that can reach 97 so I just I would like more lefties

out of the bullpen because we need that George Walcow who I cannot believe is not going like he's 17. He hit a ball 113 miles an hour.

Sorry, 116 miles an hour at the draft combine. He's 6'7". What, 16? He reclassified from 2024. Didn't he hit a ball 116 this year? Schwarberg won 113 the other day. I don't know if anyone's hit a ball 116. I don't understand why.

That's nuts. So if he's there in third round, whatever. Whatever. Saban Cababalos. Nailed it. Is it Caballos? Cabalos. Is it the double L's?

I wrote it wrong. I wrote an A instead of an E. It's not Caballos? I'm not sure. But. Is it a double L? It's a double L. Might be Caballos.

It could be. He is a third baseman from Oregon who can't play third base, but I think could be the Reese replacement. You've got multiple Reese replacements. You've got to find one. Kemp Alderman, absolutely. Kemp Alderman? Yeah.

Rakes, dude. Absolutely rakes, but terrible defensive player. So he's a DH, which we need more. He's a lock to be a Philly. That's what we do here. He also destroyed the combine. So Kemp a DH, which we need more. He's a lock to be a Philly. That's what we do here. He also destroyed the combine. So Ken Balderman, I would love. Cole Miller has

gotten hot at the end of the draft cycle. Had he been as good as he is now a year ago, he's probably a top 20 pick. His stuff is stupid. Andrew Walters on one of the Phillies draft last year. Best fastball in college baseball. Hunter Owen is a lefty from Vanderbilt

that I think has projectability and can come up. Brody Wilkins is the Griff McGarry of the draft. Yeah, Winthrop. I would die for him.

Brody Wilkins is the fourth, fifth round guy that I need to be a Phillie. He could be the next kid in Seattle. Bryce Miller. Oh, well,

another high level guy. Pretty good. That's good. I do appreciate you didn't say Hall of Famer that time. I know. Zion Rose is a young catcher, that incredible left side. Yeah, he's going to be good. Tayshaun Walton is an outfield prospect with loaded tree trunks of legs that I think can hit the ball hard.

And then this is a strictly deep cut because he's not going to be drafted before the sixth or seventh round, but Justin Best. I watched him hit once. I was like, oh, he hits the ball kind ball hard. And then this is a strictly deep cut because he's not going to be drafted before the sixth or seventh round, but Justin Best. I watched him hit once. I was like, oh, he hits the ball kind of hard. The best? Justin Best. That's what I got.

You know what? Hold on. Thank you. I'm standing up. Can't wait. I will say you really did put in a lot of work. I really do appreciate it. Sunday.

That was a lot of work. That was a lot of freaking dudes right there. A lot of guys. A lot of time wasted. It's awesome.