**Phillies Overpay to Sign Second-Round Draft Pick Griffin Burkholder**
The Philadelphia Phillies selected high school outfielder Griffin Burkholder 63rd overall in this year’s MLB Draft and have signed him to a contract significantly above his slot value. The 2024 MLB Draft began last Sunday during the All-Star break, and the Phillies chose two high school outfielders in the first and second rounds: Dante Nori at 27th overall and Burkholder at 63rd.
Burkholder, an 18-year-old from Freedom High School in Virginia, had committed to West Virginia University before the season. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 195 pounds, Burkholder is a speedy outfielder whom the Phillies had been targeting. The team announced Monday that they had signed Burkholder.
Burkholder was signed for $2.5 million, far above the $1.35 million slot value for the 63rd overall pick, making it an interesting move by the Phillies to secure the young outfielder with potential upside.
MLB Pipeline’s pre-draft scouting report stated: “Burkholder already looks like he belongs with a strong and athletic frame that is ‘what they look like.’ And he has some tools to match. The right-handed hitter was one of the best performers at last summer’s East Coast Pro Showcase and has the chance to have real impact at the plate.” He is particularly known for his 70-grade speed, which should help him stick in center field.
In an April interview on the Prospects Live On The Clock podcast, Burkholder discussed his value as a player and what makes him unique. He emphasized his speed, saying, “I train my speed a lot, ever since my freshman year, really the first time I ran a 60 I was like, ‘Oh, this is something that I’m good at.’ Speed is a big part of my game … I train my speed three times a week … I focus a lot on my speed along with power and all that in the weight room, but yes speed is definitely really important to me in my game and a point where I can take an advantage over teams and over pitchers and almost rattle a pitcher by them just knowing that I’m on base.”
Burkholder’s confidence and speed are promising attributes as he progresses through the minor leagues. The Phillies’ investment in him demonstrates their belief in his potential to make a significant impact.
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