In general, I agree with this... and I agree that it's wise to draft a handful of "tough sign" high school grads late in the draft, on the assumption that one or two of them can likely be persuaded to sign. Dylan Castaneda, this cycle, surprised us when he signed - late - and passed on Michigan. It's quite likely that the Phils didn't "know" Castaneda would sign when they picked him - but they felt that they could likely persuade at least of of Castaneda, Murphy, Koester, Little, Battles, Prosecky to sign. They signed one, and maybe two.
I say "maybe two," because notwithstanding that Thomas Little was at the complex in mid-June, he hasn't been seen since, there's been no report of a signing bonus... and as of June 28th, he was pitching for the Lethbridge, Alberta team in American Legion ball. It's possible that even after visiting Clearwater, he dithered - and the Phils signed Castaneda instead (assuming they had a single chunk of money, and it was out there for whichever of that small group of kids agreed first). Don't know at this point, but I'm thinking Little is a "maybe," not confirmed.
To andyb's point, though...Assuming they had the money (which they didn't), I have to think the Phils would have preferred to sign Koester and Prosecky over a couple of the non-drafted free agents they did sign. Given that they signed about 10 NDFAs, it's hard to argue they wouldn't have room in the system for the four (five?) unsigned draftees.
