Philadelphia Phillies 2025 MLB Draft Report Card

Best Pure Hitter: The Phillies took eight consecutive pitchers in this year’s draft, leaving them without any sure thing on the offensive side. But both of their top high school shortstops—Matthew Ferrara (9) and Logan Dawson (16)—have flashed solid hit tools. JC of Southern Idaho OF Jack Barker (13) had a tremendous season this spring and hit .456 and then .375 in 11 games in the West Coast League in the summer.

Best Power Hitter: Ferrara (9) has solid power projection with physical projection remaining to go with good bat speed, while Barker (13) and Murray State C Will Vierling (11) likely provide more present power. Barker hit eight home runs, seven triples and 22 doubles in junior college, while Vierling hit a career-high 10 home runs and 17 doubles this spring in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Fastest Runner: Barker (13) is a solid runner who went 19-for-23 (82.6%) on the bases with JC of Southern Idaho. NAIA Reinhardt (Ga.) SS Robert Phelps (19) is also quite active on the bases. He went 21-for-28 (75%) during the spring season then went 19-for-24 (79.2%) in the West Coast League in the summer.

Best Defensive Player: Dawson (16) is a steady shortstop defender with good actions and above-average arm strength. He gets the ball in and out of his glove quickly and has soft hands that should allow him to be a reliable defender at the position.

Best Fastball: Arkansas RHP Gage Wood (1) has one of the better fastballs in the 2025 class. It’s an upper-90s heater that gets up to 98 mph with excellent swing-and-miss traits. He used it to generate a 32% miss rate this spring, and it’s a potential 70-grade pitch. Vanderbilt RHP Cody Bowker (3) doesn’t have quite the same electricity, but he throws a fastball in the 92-94 mph range that plays up with unique shape and riding life in the zone.

Best Secondary Pitch: Iowa LHP Cade Obermueller (2) has a sweeping slider in the low 80s that he throws from an extremely low arm slot. The pitch creates an extreme angle for hitters and consistently earns plus grades. Bowker (3) has a plus changeup with excellent depth and tumble that he throws with fastball arm speed.

Best Pro Debut: There weren’t many Phillies draftees who got an extended run in pro ball, but Baylor RHP Gabe Craig (5) did make three shutout relief appearances where he struck out five of the 10 batters he faced. He has a 93-95 mph fastball that gets up to 97 to go with a mid-80s slider that he uses more frequently than the heater.

Best Athlete: Indiana high school RHP Matthew Fisher (7) is an impressive athlete with a strong, lean 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame and multi-sport background. He was a star quarterback for his Evansville Memorial high school team and also won the Indiana Gatorade player of the year award. 

Most Intriguing Background: Craig (5) is a six-year collegian who began his career at Tyler (Texas) JC, then moved to Texas A&M and then finally spent three seasons with Baylor. He capped his career with a breakout senior season in which he posted a 0.59 ERA over 32 innings with 51 strikeouts and just three walks. His 42.5 K-BB% was the best in the country among Division I pitchers with at least 30 innings. No. 2 on that list? Phillies first-rounder Gage Wood (1) at 41.2%. 

Closest To The Majors: Craig (5) could move quickly as an older reliever who will pitch in the 2026 season in his age-24 season. Wood (1) also has the sort of power stuff that could allow him to make a quick ascension up the minor league ladder.

Best 11+ Round Pick (Or UDFA): The Phillies signed Dallas Baptist OF Nate Humphreys (UDFA) as an undrafted free agent after a strong 2025 season. He hit .353/.457/.679 with 17 home runs, 18 doubles, 21 stolen bases and as many walks as strikeouts. He’s a good runner and has a chance to be a solid defender in center field.