Phillies Select Alec Bohm With 3rd Overall Pick Of 2018 MLB Draft

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Phillies have selected Wichita State University third baseman Alec Bohm with the third overall pick of the MLB Draft.

Bohm was expected by many draft analysts to be taken by the Phillies, who were known to be targeting an advanced college hitter who could have a quick path to the major leagues.

The Detroit Tigers selected Auburn pitcher Casey Mize first overall, while the San Francisco Giants took Georgia Tech catcher Joey Bart second overall.

Bohm marks the Phillies only early round chance, as they will not draft again until the fourth round. The team sacrificed their second and third round picks this offseason when they signed Jake Arrieta and Carlos Santana, who had each declined their qualifying offers.

Bohm, 21, hit .332 with 15 home runs and eight stolen bases in his senior season at Wichita State. He's known for both his contact hitting and eye, drawing plenty of walks and rarely striking out, despite a powerful swing.

"His at-bats were really easy. He gets the bat to the ball and drives it," Phillies Director of Amateur Scouting Johnny Almaraz said in a press conference after the pick on Monday. "He's one of those few college players who can accelerate the bat through the strike zone...natural raw power."

While it's hard to see room for Bohm in the Phillies infield right now - especially with Manny Machado rumors swirling and Maikel Franco, Scott Kingery, J.P. Crawford, and Cesar Hernandez all with third base experience - Phillies management has repeatedly said they would target players in the draft based on talent, not fit. In addition, Almaraz added on Monday that he could see Bohm playing "any corner position" if he needed to, including third base, first base, left field, and right field.

Former Phillies shortstop and MVP Jimmy Rollins sent his congratulations to Bohm via Twitter on Monday.

"Congratulations to the Phillies and Alec Bohm," he wrote. "Welcome to the Phamily."

Bohm could be the Phillies last shot at an early first round pick for the foreseeable future. Regardless of whether or not the 2018 Phillies make the postseason, it seems inevitable that a corner has been turned, and a top five or ten pick seems unlikely for at least the next few years.

Last year, the Phillies took University of Virginia outfielder Adam Haseley with the eighth overall pick. Haseley, who has been compared to the Brewers' Christian Yelich for his strike zone control and athleticism, is batting .290 with a .744 OPS for the Clearwater Threshers in Class A Advanced.

2016 number one overall pick Mickey Moniak has been struggling in his second year in the organization and is batting just .251, but has been heating up in recent days, batting .394 in his last 10 games.

The Phillies last struck gold in the draft in 2014, when they selected Aaron Nola seventh overall. Nola, still just 24, quickly turned into one of the best pitchers in the major leagues.

With the 3rd pick of the 2018 #MLBDraft, the @Phillies select @GoShockersBSB 3B Alec Bohm: https://t.co/I4XB50yP67 pic.twitter.com/f67yKg8wjm
— MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) June 4, 2018

Congratulations to @Phillies and Alec Bohm! Welcome to the #Phamily
— Jimmy Rollins (@JimmyRollins11) June 4, 2018

Image via Youtube screenshot