The Philadelphia Phillies are going to be waiting a long time before they are on the clock for the first time in the 2026 MLB Draft.
Because of the rules in place about exceeding the highest surcharge threshold of the Competitive Balance Tax, the Phillies' first selection of the 2026 MLB Draft was moved back 10 spots.
They will now be on the clock at No. 36 as a result. Philadelphia was one of five teams to receive such a penalty, being joined by the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Yankees , New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers .
This will be the eighth consecutive year that the Phillies are drafting outside of the top 10, which speaks volumes to the job they have done at the Major League level and remaining competitive. Before this stretch, they selected inside the top 10 in five straight years, landing two of the team's core players.
May 16, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski in the dugout before the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Phillies at PNC Park. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Starting pitcher Aaron Nola was selected No. 7 overall in the 2014 MLB Draft out of Louisiana State University. A few years later, in the 2017 MLB Draft, the Phillies selected third baseman Alec Bohm out of Wichita State University.
This will be the latest that Philadelphia has made a selection in a draft since 2012, when they selected right-handed pitcher Shane Watson out of Lakewood High School in Lakewood, California. The next year, they selected his teammate, shortstop J.P. Crawford , with the No. 16 overall pick.
In the 2025 MLB Draft, the Phillies selected right-handed pitcher Gage Wood from the University of Arkansas. Wood is already the No. 1 prospect in the organization , surpassing shortstop Aidan Miller, who is dealing with a back injury that has kept him sidelined for the duration of the 2026 campaign thus far.
Don't be surprised if Philadelphia goes back to the pitching well early and often in the 2026 MLB Draft given the current state of their Major League rotation and the lack of depth in the minor leagues to turn to.
Andrew Painter was sent back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after struggling during his Big League debut, and things aren't going any better on the farm thus far. Adding some arms that are closer to being ready to contribute at the highest level would make a lot of sense for the Phillies, who are in clear win-now mode.
The Phillies land a middle infielder who possesses the skills to become a hitter who can provide both power and contact. Committed to the Stanford Cardinal, he has the ability and insticts to remain at shortstop as well; the only thing that could prompt a move to third base is if he gets too big, already being listed at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds.
One of the most physically imposing players in this year's draft class, Caden Bogenpohl is listed at 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds. Unsurprisingly, he has plus-plus raw power, but his batting profile left people baffled, hitting only six home runs and having an astronomical ground ball rate.
He played center field adequately with Missouri State but looks destined to play a corner outfield spot as his career moves along. An above-average arm strength is a weapon defensively.
The flu and bronchitis crushed the end of the 2025 season for the talented Longhorns pitcher, who ended up going undrafted. One of the best senior prospects in this year's class, the Phillies finally add to their pitching depth with their third selcetion of the 2026 MLB Draft.
A fastball that touches 98 anchors the arsenal with a splitter and changeup that have all been unhittable at points. Projected to start his pro career in Double-A, he could be helping the Major League team in no time.
Viewed by some evaluators as the best relief pitcher available, Devin Sheerin has bounced back from an ACL tear throwing the ball three mph faster this past season. Listed at 6-foot-5, he is an imposing force on the mound with a fastball that tops out at 100 mph.
If he can develop his arsenal, late-game, high-leverage work could be in his future, especially if he improves his control. Moving through the farm system rapidly as a sure-fire relief pitcher is possible.
This is the second time Jaxon Jelkin has been drafted, as he was selected by the New York Mets in the 2024 MLB Draft. His stuff is excellent, regarded as a second-round grade, but he is a wild card because of his makeup and already undergoing Tommy John surgery.
He has a solid three-pitch mix already and pounds the zone. He does have to stay out of the middle of he plate, but there is real upside here.
A top 100 prospect in the 2023 MLB Draft Class, Gasparino elected to go the college route instead. He started his career with the Texas Longhorns for two seasons before transferring to UCLA, where his offensive potential was unlocked.
A strong arm and good speed for someone 6-foot-6 has enabled him to stick in center field. Possessing the ability to hit the ball as far and hard as anyone in the draft, this is a great long-term bet for the Phillies.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/mlb/phillies/onsi as Phillies MLB Draft Tracker: Live Updates, Picks and Analysis .
