Phillies Select SS Cornelius Randolph, 2B Scott Kingery In 2015 MLB Draft
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philadelphia Phillies have selected Cornelius Randolph, an 18-year-old shortstop, with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft, Director of Amateur Scouting Johnny Almaraz announced Monday night.
Randolph, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, played for Griffin High School in Griffin, Ga., where he batted .526 in 17 games with 11 doubles, seven home runs, 27 walks and a .934 slugging percentage.
"Best [high school] bat in the country," Almaraz said Monday night. "Somebody we feel has an extremely high ceiling as far as hitting ability is concerned.
"He's got a lot of similarities of a lot of pretty good left-handed hitters. I don't want to mention any names, but guys who were batting champions. This guy has that type of ability."
The left-handed hitting infielder comes from the same high school as current Rays infielder Tim Beckham, who was the first overall pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.
The Phillies also selected second baseman Scott Kingery with the 48th overall pick in the second round.
The draft will continue Tuesday at 1 p.m. via conference call with rounds three through 10, and will conclude Wednesday with rounds 11 through 40.
The Phillies' first selection Tuesday will be in the third round (83rd overall).