Phillies' Scouting Director: 'I Think Overall We've Done A Good Job'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Since Cole Hamels, a 2002 first-round draft pick, the Phillies have not yet received solid contributions from any of their last 12 first-round selections. While players like 2010 first-round draft pick Jesse Biddle (AA) and 2013 first-round selection J.P. Crawford (AAA) continue to show upside, SportingNews.com ranked the Phillies farm system 25th out of 30 teams in baseball.
The Phillies scouting director, Marti Wolever, said he thinks the organization has been successful in the scouting department.
"I think overall we've done a good job," Wolever told Angelo Cataldi and the WIP Morning Show on Thursday. "The other factor is that someone pointed out to me also, that since 1993 every one of our first-round draft picks–not supplemental picks, not picks in the sandwich round between the first and second round–but every one of our first round picks, other than Anthony Hewitt to this point, have played in the major leagues."
Wolever said he is aware of the criticism from the fan base, but not all of it is warranted.
"I'm aware of the criticism we've received," Wolever admitted. "The flip side to that, I recently was given an article where I think over the past 10 years, we're the seventh best team as far as players that we've drafted that have made it to the major leagues. So, we're very happy about that. We obviously can get better, always, regardless of where you're at I think you can do better."
The Phillies have the seventh overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft beginning on Thursday. Wolever, just hours before the start of the draft, expressed his excitement.
"Everybody is excited in the room," Wolever said. "Obviously this is what we've been working for the entire year. It'll be a fun day, it always is, and a very exciting day. There's about ten guys we think have a chance to be there at [number] seven."
