By: Tim Kelly, Managing Editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies hosted Mercer University outfielder Kyle Lewis on a visit Monday, according to Jim Salisbury of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia. Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, who confirmed Lewis' visit, says that at last check the team seemed likely to select a hitter like Lewis with the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Draft, rather than a pitcher.
Sources said last week the Phillies are leaning toward a hitter. If that happens, the hitter is expected to sign for less than the $9,015,000 allotted for the top pick, which would allow the Phillies to spend more money and sign more talented players in the later rounds.
Lewis, of course, isn't the only hitter in this year's draft. Zolecki also noted that the Phillies plan to work out more prospects prior to Thursday's MLB Draft, so the Phillies could select a hitter without it necessarily being Lewis, though he would seem to be the most likely selection given that he batted .367 in 54 games this season.
Florida starter A.J. Puk has longed seemed to be the favorite for the Phillies to select with the pick, though perhaps that was simply by default. Puk is the highest rated prospect by many outlets, and a report from ESPN's Keith Law suggested that the Phillies were 'out on' high school starting pitchers, which seemed to rule out Jason Groome and Riley Pint, who are both High School starters. So Puk has long been the public's favorite in a process that still doesn't seem to have a clear-cut favorite just days before the selection is due.
