Here’s Why the Phillies Signed Mickey Moniak under the Full Slot Value for the No. 1 Pick

I was listening to the WIP Morning Show on the way into work today and heard a lively conversation between Angelo Cataldi and Al Morganti regarding the Phillies signing Mickey Moniak to a deal yesterday. Cataldi, his usual brazen self, was ridiculing the Phillies – unfairly – about drafting Moniak who now wasn’t even the best player in the draft.

I think we all knew that heading into the draft and coming out of it. There was no Stephen Strasburg or Bryce Harper in this year’s draft, as Al Morganti noted, and there’s no indication that Jason Groome, who might very well be the best player in the draft, will sign with the Red Sox, who selected him 12th overall.

Remember when J.D. Drew refused to sign with the Phillies and found himself back in the MLB Draft? Could happen to Groome. Not saying it will, but there’s always that possibility. Even Todd Zolecki, who was on for an interview, tried explaining the situation about signing Moniak under the $9 million plus usually allotted to the number one overall pick to Cataldi. In fact, no player has commanded all of that money slotted to the first overall pick recently. But Cataldi wasn’t having it. Probably because he knew he didn’t sound too smart about the subject. MLB Trade Rumors summed it up perfectly:

The Phillies, per Callis, had an overall draft pool of $13,405,200, which was the second-largest among all big league teams this season. Because Moniak didn’t command the full value of that slot — and it’s worth noting that none of the players selected first overall have commanded full slot value since the current iteration of draft signing rules was implemented — the Phillies will be able to reallocate roughly $3MM worth of savings to later picks. Among the notable high school names drafted by the Phillies that may require over-slot deals to break college commitments are second-round pick Kevin Gowdy, third-round pick Cole Stobbe and 11th-round pick Josh Stephen.

They’re basically saving money to try and get their four picks, who would in turn command more money, signed. How is that a bad thing?

It’s not. But, hey, it’s June 21st and Cataldi needs something to yell about.