Prep outfielder goes No. 1 in MLB draft

Associated Press

SECAUCUS, N.J.

After all the uncertainty surrounding the No. 1 pick, the Philadelphia Phillies think they’ve got themselves a sure thing.

Mickey Moniak, a high school outfielder from California, was selected first overall by the Phillies in the Major League Baseball draft Thursday night.

Moniak, from La Costa Canyon High School in south Carlsbad, became the first prep outfielder chosen No. 1 since Tampa Bay drafted Delmon Young in 2003. The selection, announced by Commissioner Rob Manfred at MLB Network studios, marked the first time the Phillies led off the draft since they took Miami slugger Pat Burrell in 1998.

“I definitely wouldn’t say there’s pressure,” Moniak said in an interview on MLB Network. “I’m excited to hopefully prove the Phillies right.”

With no consensus No. 1 talent this year, there was plenty of suspense about who the Phillies would grab right up until they officially went on the clock. At least five players were considered to be in the mix for the top spot.

“Collectively, we believe Mickey was the best player available in the draft,” Phillies scouting director Johnny Almaraz said in a statement. “He’s a true center fielder with incredible offensive ability and the potential to be a perennial All-Star.”

Tennessee third baseman Nick Senzel went second to Cincinnati, giving the Reds a slugger who might someday provide pop in the middle of their lineup.

“This is the guy we wanted,” Cincinnati scouting director Chris Buckley said. “He’s a very polished player, one of the better hitters, if not the best hitter, in the draft.”

Senzel became the Volunteers’ highest-drafted player, surpassing Todd Helton, who went eighth overall in 1995. Senzel’s draft stock rose dramatically after a terrific performance last summer in the Cape Cod League, where he won the MVP award and was selected as the top prospect.

At No. 14, the Cleveland Indians took outfielder Will Benson from the Westminster Schools in Atlanta.

The Pittsburgh Pirates took Wake Forest third baseman Will Craig at pick 22.