The 2025 MLB Draft begins on July 13, and the Philadelphia Phillies hold the 26th pick in the first round. During the 2024 MLB Draft, the Phillies selected outfielder Dante Nori in the first round. The last five years have seen the Phillies draft a high school player in the first round. Bryson Stott is the most recent college prospect drafted in the first round by the Phillies, and that was in 2019. The last time the Phillies selected a college pitcher in the first round was in 2014, when they drafted Aaron Nola.
Additionally, the Phillies have selected an outfielder in the first round in two of the last three drafts. Justin Crawford, along with Nori, are the two aforementioned outfielders. In addition to that, Aidan Miller was selected in the first round of the 2023 draft between the two outfield choices. Overall, seven of the last 10 first-round picks the Phillies have made have been high schoolers. Furthermore, middle infielders and outfielders account for seven of those 10 draft choices. The most recent draft in which the Phillies took a catcher in the first round was 2007.
Possible Phillies 2025 MLB Draft First Round Selections
Josh Hammond, 3B, Wesleyan Christian High School (NC)
If the Phillies continue the high school trend, Hammond could very well be the pick. Hammond could have foregone signing and attended Wake Forest University, though. At age 18, coming out of high school, Hammond is a slightly riskier pick. Hammond would be the first corner infielder drafted in the first round by the Phillies since Alec Bohm. The Phillies have many talented infield prospects already in the organization as well. However, the more organizational depth at a position, the better. Hammond bats from the right side of the plate. The Phillies have shown to be more unpredictable when it comes to the draft.
Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina
The Phillies need a long-term plan at catcher. Furthermore, there has been speculation that Eduardo Tait could be traded at the deadline. Stevenson had a .251/.414/.552 line with 19 home runs and 58 RBI in 61 games this season. To add, Stevenson had a 114 wRC+ and a .270 BABIP this year. Stevenson recorded a 0.84 BB/K rate as well. Additionally, Stevenson is a left-handed hitter. Stevenson turns 21 later in July. Over the past two seasons, Stevenson has been the starting catcher at the University of North Carolina. It is noteworthy that Stevenson has been the starting catcher his entire college career. It is somewhat rare at a power conference program.
Devin Taylor, OF, Indiana
Taylor is one of the best players in Indiana University baseball history. A three-time All-Big Ten first-team selection, Taylor also holds the career home run record for the program. Taylor is a left-handed hitter who can play multiple outfield positions. This season, Taylor had a .374/.494/.706 line with 18 home runs and 66 RBI in 55 games. To add to that, Taylor recorded a 169 wRC+ and a .369 BABIP this year. Taylor recorded an outstanding 1.73 BB/K rate as well. In his three college seasons, Taylor recorded a 1.000 OPS or better. The worst BB/K rate Taylor had in a college season was 0.78 in his 2023 freshman season. Taylor is 21.
