The Phillies selected a nice balance of college pitchers, college and high school hitters, and "a really nice high school arm" in the draft on Tuesday, Johnny Almaraz said.
That high school arm seems to have the Phillies' director of amateur scouting most excited.
Almaraz flew to California two weeks ago to watch lefthander Bailey Falter, whom the Phillies drafted in the fifth round. The pitcher matched his high-80s fastball with a good curveball and change-up, Almaraz said. He believes Falter was one of the best pitchers in the country, high school or college.
"The ability to pitch and command your pitches, for me, is something you cannot teach," Almaraz said.