Philadelphia Phillies select Tyler Spangler with their first round pick

For the first time in the history of the MLB Draft, the Philadelphia Phillies made their first-round pick in Philadelphia.

With the 36th overall pick the Phillies selected Tyler Spangler from De La Salle high school in the Bay area of California in front of a Philadelphia Convention Center crowd. 

He’s a 6’3″, 195 lb lefty hitting shortstop.  As a junior, Spangler was named as the Metro Player of the Year by the San Francisco Chronicle. He was projected to be a first-round pick before a lower back stress reaction took him out for most of his senior season. 

The situation is reminiscent of when the Phillies drafted Aidan Miller 27th overall in 2023.  Miller fell down draft boards because of a broken hamate bone and a missed senior season.  Spangler is the first high school infielder that the Phillies have drafted in the first round since Miller. 

Spangler won’t turn 19 years old until October, but already has a solid approach at the plate. He could grow into above average power, especially for a shortstop.  His size could move him off of shortstop but reports say he has the athleticism to have a shot at sticking at the position.  He’s said to have average speed but great instincts. 

MLB.com’s rankings had Spangler listed as the 53rd best draft prospect. FanGraph’s “The Board” had him listed at 50th. 

The Phillies will next select at #64 in the second round. They’ll have five more picks through the fifth round.