Phillies Select Two Pitchers in Draft
The Philadelphia Phillies selected 18-year-old right-handed pitchers Shane Watson (40th overall) and Mitch Gueller (54th overall) in the compensation round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, Marti Wolever, Director of Scouting, announced tonight.
Watson pitched for Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Calif., where he went 4-3 with a 1.19 ERA in 11 games. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound righty allowed just 36 hits while striking out 79 in 53.0 innings.
“Shane has a plus curveball with a plus fastball right now as a high school senior,” Wolever said. “He’s very athletic and strong and he’s a great competitor.”
Gueller, 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, played for William F. West High School in Chehalis, Wash., where he posted a 6-0 record this season with a 0.82 ERA, giving up just four earned runs and 12 hits in 43.2 innings. He also posted two saves while striking out 70 and walking 22.
“Mitch is an outstanding athlete,” Wolever said. “He already has a plus fastball and has a chance to have a plus curveball and a plus change.”
The draft will continue tomorrow at noon via conference call with rounds two through 15, and will conclude on Wednesday with rounds 16 through 40. The Phillies’ next selection will be in the second round (77th overall).
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