The 2016 MLB draft is upon us. Shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, the Phillies will be making the first overall pick. The Phillies have utilized all possible assets within the organization in scouting to make the best possible pick. Most reports have the Phillies targeting a future ace starting pitcher with the top pick. There are several choices among the top college and high school pitchers that make sense, but none more so than University of Florida left-handed pitcher A.J. Puk.
AJ Puk is widely considered the top prospect in the 2016 MLB draft, and it has everything to do with his “stuff”. Puk has a dynamic fastball that has hit as high as 99 miles per hour in Southeastern Conference play. Puk has also developed a slider that works well with his fastball, and also uses an average change up to round out his repertoire.
Puk was drafted in 2013 by the Detroit Tigers in the 35th round, but probably would have been drafted much higher (he was a top-100 prospect) had he not been such a strong commit to the University of Florida.
The move paid off as Puk enjoyed a strong sophomore season in 2015 that moved him up all the draft boards. Puk started 14 games, had a 9-4 record, and a 3.81 ERA. He led Florida pitchers (several of whom will be drafted later in the 2016 draft) with 104 strikeouts in 78 innings pitched. Puk’s postseason with Florida was incredible, he posted a 2-1 record with 30 strikeouts in 23.1 innings. Even with such amazing strikeout numbers, his command has been somewhat of an issue as his four walks per nine innings pitched rate would indicate.
Puk entered the 2016 season set to be the ace of the number one team in the country according to preseason polls. Although his record was only 2-3 in 15 starts, his numbers actually improved in the tough SEC. Puk enters the NCAA super regionals this weekend against Florida State with a 3.21 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 70 innings pitched. His walk rate is still at four walks per nine innings pitched, which is a cause for concern, however many MLB teams seem to believe that his command is correctable.
AJ Puk has an electric arm, and for that reason, most prediction sites have the Phillies drafting him with the number one overall pick. Depending on how much money Puk demands from Phillies brass, he will be and should be the top choice.
