The 2025 Philadelphia Phillies Draft Picks and Signings

[andyb]

Getting a college education and competitive money is a whole lot of incentive for a 3rd tier prospect. None of us know how much the 412 alliance gets college kids, but the main point is that it really does not need to be that much along with the college scholarship to be a better deal for most non-first or 2nd round college players. There is more money out there than you think.

[Docs]

Plus if you are betting on yourself that 250k will be there in three years so you could get both going the college route.

[Squire]

Blue Jays took Jared Spencer in the 11th for what its worth

[andyb]

Just one HS in the 11th so far. As recently as 2022 there were 7. I just think most teams do not have much money beyond the top 10 rounds any more. Even getting Fisher in the 7th means the Phillies bonus offer starts from a higher slot number (even if they are not technically increasing their pool a bit with the first $150K not counting beyond the 10th round).

[dicemen99]

Getting a college education and competitive money is a whole lot of incentive for a 3rd tier prospect. None of us know how much the 412 alliance gets college kids, but the main point is that it really does not need to be that much along with the college scholarship to be a better deal for most non-first or 2nd round college players. There is more money out there than you think.

ut MLB has a CSP (college scholarship plan) and a CEP (continuing education plan) available to players as soon as they have signed their minor league contracts, so a player can get their college education either way.

I am quite familiar with the NIL available and scholarship opportunities in non-revenue sports at universities in PA (including PSU and Pitt). No, there is not more than I think is available.

NIL numers, like scholarship numbers before that, are misrepresented in reports. Most, if not all, include potentials (not-guaranteed) and other parts of the aggregate (COL payments, Financial Aid - which can be directly applied in non-revenue sports, etc.) to make the sums appear much larger than the actual NIL (or the scholarship in pre-NIL days). Some of which are available whether you are an athlete or not.

I'd be happy to list specific examples if you would like to sidebar the conversation.

[Docs]

Matthew Ferrara, SS, Toms River HS, NJ

First non-pitcher

Hmmmm......

Anybody know if the Phillies plan to convert him to pitcher

[Squire]

In the Eleventh Round of the 2025 MLB Draft, the Philadelphia Phillies select:

Will Vierling, C, Murray State University

FYI he is Matt's cousin.

[andyb]

ut MLB has a CSP (college scholarship plan) and a CEP (continuing education plan) available to players as soon as they have signed their minor league contracts, so a player can get their college education either way.

The number of players that take advantage of that is shockingly low.

We'll just have to disagree on the amount of NIL money available. It is changing the sport and far more prevalent than you imply. No need to continue. There are plenty of stories on NIL money around. It has all changed in the last 2 years and accelerated in the past 12 months. Between scholarships, NIL money, the $20.5 million fund, and other sponsorship opportunities there is a lot out there.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/jonathan-perrin-on-nil-college-baseballs-financial-landscape-from-phenom-to-the-farm/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CYou%20gotta%20be%20old%2C%20and,baseball%20players%20than%20ever%20before.

“That $150,000 bonus is not what it used to be,” Perrin said. “There are a lot of kids in college baseball this year who are going to make more than that … Ff you’re getting $150K to go play for the Royals, and Arkansas or LSU are paying you $250K to stay here, I can’t speak for everybody, but I’m going back to school in that situation.”

Clearly the SEC has an advantage here with spillover money from the big revenue sports, but the ACC is not that bad a conference also.

[andyb]

Will Vierling, C, Murray State University

3 of the last 5 picks within 100 miles of Evansville. Our scout in that region is clearly getting his way this year.

[dicemen99]

ut MLB has a CSP (college scholarship plan) and a CEP (continuing education plan) available to players as soon as they have signed their minor league contracts, so a player can get their college education either way.

The number of players that take advantage of that is shockingly low.

We'll just have to disagree on the amount of NIL money available. It is changing the sport and far more prevalent than you imply. No need to continue. There are plenty of stories on NIL money around. It has all changed in the last 2 years and accelerated in the past 12 months. Between scholarships, NIL money, the $20.5 million fund, and other sponsorship opportunities there is a lot out there.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/jonathan-perrin-on-nil-college-baseballs-financial-landscape-from-phenom-to-the-farm/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CYou%20gotta%20be%20old%2C%20and,baseball%20players%20than%20ever%20before.

“That $150,000 bonus is not what it used to be,” Perrin said. “There are a lot of kids in college baseball this year who are going to make more than that … Ff you’re getting $150K to go play for the Royals, and Arkansas or LSU are paying you $250K to stay here, I can’t speak for everybody, but I’m going back to school in that situation.”

Clearly the SEC has an advantage here with spillover money from the big revenue sports, but the ACC is not that bad a conference also.

Yeah, the key there is Arkansas and LSU that are mentioned there - as I clearly stated, there are programs that this argument does not apply to. Pitt is not one of them.

Fisher doesn't even apply to this argument as he is much more likely to be able to achieve "bonus-baby" status in 3 years, AND he is going to Indiana. Believe it or not, serious NIL is much more of a thing at Indiana than it is at Pitt. Still not like it is at those SEC schools that were mentioned.

Yes, we will have to disagree on what is out there. I'm very comfortable in my assessment of this, having direct knowledge of deal specifics in this arena. More comfortable with what I know to be true than what is reported - although what you cited is not wrong, but again, has no relevance to what we are talking about - what was cited was a $150K slot vs. an NIL opportunity at one of the few big spenders.

[andyb]

Fisher is probably going to get $2 million plus. The argument was never about him and all about Ferrara. If his bonus is in the $200K-$300K range he probably gets a better deal going to college. Nothing will stop a kid who just wants to play pro ball though. That would mean if Ferrara signs for less than $500K he probably made that choice career-wise and cares less about the money. Again, the ACC is still a major baseball conference. Even middling teams have money even if it is much less than the SEC.

[dicemen99]

Fisher is probably going to get $2 million plus. The argument was never about him and all about Ferrara. If his bonus is in the $200K-$300K range he probably gets a better deal going to college. Nothing will stop a kid who just wants to play pro ball though. That would mean if Ferrara signs for less than $500K he probably made that choice career-wise and cares less about the money. Again, the ACC is still a major baseball conference. Even middling teams have money even if it is much less than the SEC.

Yes, agreed. I was only talking about Ferraro. And if he signs for $500K he is making a smart financial move as well. Maybe he could get that in a 3-year career at Pitt, but it sure as hell would not be guaranteed. I

[phillyfn]

I'm very comfortable in my assessment of this, having direct knowledge of deal specifics in this arena. So I’m curious. How do you “direct knowledge of deal specifics in this arena”?

[phillychuck]

I don’t know if we are thinking about all the player-types who get college offers, but one factor that comes into play with good, drafted guys is some of them just DO Not want to be dealing with the rest of the college experience--going to classes is a burden, dorm life is pretty bad a lot of places, your freedom is restricted on some campuses, especially in the athletic dorms, your teammates aren’t as serious about baseball as you are, etc, etc. One of my HS teammates a long time ago said he would take any draft offer over going to what he called college day camp. Just sayin’.

[Squire]

In the Twelfth Round of the 2025 MLB Draft, the Philadelphia Phillies select:

Tyler Bowen, RHP, Lander University

[Squire]

Honestly, I don't care much about what we do from here on out. Assuming everyone in the Top 11 signs I think we did quite well.

[andyb]

That probably makes sense. A bunch of kids now with one or two tools or from small schools where the Phillies hope their scouts know more.

I would not be shocked if we still do a Fisher backup but I am still betting we have deals with the top 10 and are really only looking for $150K players in the next 10. Probably need some more position players the rest of the way just to balance our rosters.

[phillychuck]

Our new top 10 prospects (My rankings)...

1. Painter
2. Miller
3. Crawford (I know he hits grounders)
4. Tait
5. Fisher
6. Wood
7. Escobar
8. Abel
9. Cabrera
10. (-ish) McFarlane, Rincones, Pacheco’s good days, the rumored existence of Burkholder, a healthy Chace, July Nori ...

Please comment!

[andyb]

I think Wood will be ranked ahead of Fisher for the new draftees. His injury history was more important to his draft ranking than his prospect ranking (which will be high absent new injury). There is still lots of projection with Fisher even if the ceiling could be higher.

[ahb]

I know the reasons to rate Miller above Crawford, but I have a hard time getting over the difference in their performances this year. So, I'd have Crawford at 2. Would probably move Abel up a bit too.