2026 MLB Draft Review: Philadelphia Phillies

The players

The Phillies have leaned heavily towards high schoolers over the years atop the first round in recent years. And in 2026, the Phillies dipped into that pool, taking shortstop Tyler Spangler with their top pick.

Spangler put up high-percentile exit velocity numbers in the PG high school showcase in 2025. He’s a big, strong shortstop who, from a physical standpoint, profiles as a power-hitting infielder, wherever that may be in the field. Spangler also ran well in high school, making him a good fit as a shortstop with range.

Philadelphia’s second-round pick was Missouri State outfielder Caden Bogenphol, a tall 6’6” outfielder who had his worst statistical season in his draft year. This past year for the Bears, Bogenpohl hit just .274 with six home runs. Mind you, this was an outfielder who cracked 20 in his freshman season two years earlier, and then 13 a year later.

With any player who trends downward year-to-year in college, there’s obviously some concern. However, two things stand out. One, the bat speed and power. It’s still there in Bogenpohl’s game. Two, he walked an awful lot with Missouri State, as he had at least 50+ walks in all three seasons.

The run on college players continued, with several college pitchers grabbed between Rounds 3-10.

Jaxon Jelkin struck out 106 batters with Kentucky this past season, one of the highest totals among DI players. Jelkin will throw the kitchen sink at hitters but he can gun it when need be, as his fastball did jump into the upper-90s. He bounced from school to school through his collegiate career, going from Nebraska to Houston, and eventually, Kentucky.

Deven Sheerin was one of the top freshmen in all of college baseball in 2024 with Mount St. Mary’s, where he struck out 109 batters. Sheerin missed all of 2025, came back in 2026, and struck out 58 over 37 innings with LSU. Big fastball that flirted with triple digits, and starter upside despite being a reliever with the Tigers.

Ruger Riojas, as we noted in July, had a booming fastball with Texas, where he was the co-ace alongside standout sophomore Dylan Volantis. A wide array of pitches to work with for Rojas.

Philadelphia took one of Riojas’ former teammates with UT, Will Gasparino, in the fifth round. Gasparino, a bloodline player and son of Dodgers executive Billy Gasparino, is a clear power hitter who struck out a lot over his collegiate career. However, the power makes him a noteworthy prospect.

The Phillies weren’t done with the college players. Macon Winslow was an on-base threat over three years between Duke and North Carolina, the latter of which he spent his 2026 season.

Wyatt Danilowicz was the strikeout leader (84) for Louisville this season. Low-90s fastball with carrying action, coupled with a slider and curveball in his arsenal.

Cooper Consiglio, like Danilowicz, was the 2026 strikeout leader (71) for his own school, NC State.

The Phillies also grabbed more notable college performers, including Drew Titsworth from Clemson and Christian Coppola from nearby Saint Joseph’s. Coppola had one of the stranger paths to the pros. Years earlier, he was a standout freshman at Rutgers, transferred to Arizona, and missed a lot of time in between before a good 2026 campaign.