Phillies like Miami's Burrell in draft
Posted: Tuesday June 02, 1998 12:11 AM
| |  Burrell (right) has been a big hit with the
Hurricanes (AP) |
NEW YORK (AP) -- J.D. Drew is a thing of the past for the Philadelphia
Phillies. Now the question is which team will take the outfielder in
this year's amateur draft.
Last year, the Phillies selected Drew with the No. 2 pick overall. On
Tuesday, they have the top pick for the first time and Miami third baseman
Pat Burrell is their likely choice.
"He's a big strong power guy," Phillies scouting director Mike Arbuckle
said.
Arizona State left-hander Ryan Mills and Michigan State left-hander Mark
Mulder also were considered by the Phillies, but Burrell got most of the
attention.
Burrell, 21, has a .426 average, 17 homers and 47 RBIs in 115 at-bats
going into Tuesday's game against Long Beach State at the College World
Series. While a sore back sidelined him for part of the season, the
Phillies say he's healthy now.
"He's been examined by an orthopedic specialist with the Florida Marlins and a
back specialist in Miami," Arbuckle said, adding Phillies team physician
Dr. Phillip Marone "is very comfortable this is not a problem."
Knowing NL Rookie of the Year Scott Rolen is
established at third, Burrell said he wouldn't mind moving to first.
"He's a very down-to-earth kid, confident in a positive way," Arbuckle
said. "He's a great worker. Their coach told us that, without exception,
he's the first player on the field every day and the last player off."
Mills, who pitched six strong innings Sunday in Arizona State's 9-2
victory over Miami, is 6-foot-5. He is 8-3 with a 4.32 ERA and 133
strikeouts in 108 1-3 innings.
Mulder, an inch taller, was 6-6 with a 3.40 ERA and 113 in 84 2-3 innings
for the Spartans.
 Chad Hutchinson's football career may scare off some
teams (Stephen Dunn/Allsport) | |
"Those are rare commodities in baseball," Arbuckle said, adding Mulder
hasn't been quite as dominating as Mills but he's been more consistent.
Philadelphia will be followed in the draft by Oakland, the Chicago Cubs, Kansas
City, St. Louis, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Toronto, San Diego and Texas.
Drew, seeking a $10 million contract, turned down a deal from the
Phillies that would have guaranteed him $3 million and given him a chance
to earn $3 million more. The former Florida State outfielder played in the
independent Northern League last season rather than sign.
St. Louis (with the No. 5 pick) and Cincinnati (with the seventh
selection) were thought to be the most likely teams to draft Drew.
"We've had a lot of teams that called us and said they would like to get
him and said they don't foresee any problems if they do get him," said the
outfielder's agent, Scott Boras.
Oakland was thought to be leaning to Mulder and the Cubs were looking at
outfielder Corey Patterson of Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Ga.
Stanford right-hander Jeff Austin could go to the Royals on the fourth
pick and if the Cardinals decide against Drew, they might select Stanford
right-hander Chad Hutchinson.
Minnesota was considering Mills and Nick Neugebauer, a right-hander from
Arlington High School in Riverside, Calif.
Arbuckle said the top picks probably will take some time before they
agree to contracts, waiting for the market to establish itself.
"I don't view any of these guys as quick signs," Arbuckle said. "I think
this will be a long process, and by that, I mean most of the summer."
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