For the first time since choosing Pat Burrell out of the University of Miami with the first overall pick in the 1998 MLB Amateur Draft, the Phillies hold the top overall selection.
The Phils and their fan base would have to say that the Burrell pick worked out wonderfully. Along with shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who had himself been selected by the team in the 2nd round just two years earlier, Burrell became one of the earliest pieces to the 2008 World Series championship puzzle.
After just a single, full minor league campaign in 1999 and then the opening weeks of the 2000 season, Burrell made his big league debut in late-May of 2000.