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Almaraz leads off with bold move in draft

We learned something about Johnny Almaraz on Monday night.

He's not here to play it safe.

Almaraz could have used his first selection as the Phillies' director of amateur scouting on one of the highly touted college pitchers that remained on the board when he selected 10th overall. A year ago, the Phillies took Aaron Nola seventh overall out of LSU and you won't find anyone inside or outside the organization unhappy with that selection.

College pitchers have a chance to come quick to the big leagues. Nola is already knocking on the door to triple-A Lehigh Valley and no one would be surprised if he pitched a game at Citizens Bank Park this September.