With the All-Star Game coming to Philadelphia for the first time since 1996, Philly will be home to several events throughout the week. Of those, the MLB First Year Player Draft will come to the home of the William Penn for the first time. 

The Phillies have six picks in the first five rounds. They’ll pick at #36, #64, #100, #128, #135 and #161. 

The Phillies would’ve picked at #26 but were penalized ten spots due to luxury tax penalties. So who could the Phillies be targeting at #36?

With 35 picks in front of them, it’ll be hard to predict who will be available. During his press availability, Phillies’ assistant general manager Brian Barber mentioned the strength of prep (high school) left-handed arms in this draft. With the Phillies’ success of drafting prep arms in recent years (Mick Abel and Andrew Painter), let’s look at who could be available around #36. 

Carson Boleman

Carson Boleman is a tad older for a high school pitcher. The 6’4″, 210 lb lefty is already 19 years old. While his fastball won’t blow hitters away, Boleman has one of the highest floors in the draft for a prep arm. His fastball currently sits around 91-94 MPH but can hit 96. His secondary offerings are much more enticing. His curveball has some wipeout potential, and his changeup took a leap forward in his senior season. 

He’d have to fall a bit, according to current projections, for the Phillies to take a shot at Boleman. MLB.com has him as the 24th best draft prospect, and FanGraphs’ “The Board” has him at 30th overall. He’s currently committed to play at Wake Forest. 

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Brody Bumila

Brody Bulima could give “The Big Unit” Randy Johnson a run for his money. The 18-year-old lefty stands 6’9″, 255 lbs. He features an electric fastball that could evolve into an 80-grade pitch. 

MLB.com had him listed as the 23rd best draft prospect, but recent injury news could send him falling. He is currently dealing with a UCL injury that might require surgery. He would be a project for the Phillies, but the frame with the fastball could be tempting. He’s currently committed to pitch at Texas.

Caden Sorrell

Not all the draft prospects can be left-handed prep arms. Caden Sorrell is a lefty outfielder coming off his junior season at Texas A&M. MLB.com has him listed at #33 on their prospect rankings, and FanGraphs has him at #59, putting him at a possible landing spot for the Phillies. 

The 6’3″, 210 lb outfielder’s grandfather, Billy Sorrell, signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur in 1960 and made his major league debut as a Phillie in 1965. 

Caden hit .341 with 23 homers and a 1.177 OPS for the Aggies in 2026. He would be locked into a corner outfield spot, but if he can tone down his swing and miss, he could be a bopper. 

Landon Thome

Yes, that name looks familiar.

Landon is none other than the son of Hall of Famer (and former Phillie) Jim Thome. The younger Thome currently stands at 6′ and 177 lbs. He’s one of the more polished prep bats in his class. He’s a left-hitting infielder with some impressive bat speed and some pull power to boot. 

He might not have the range to play shortstop at the MLB level, but his bat could play. He’s ranked at #34 on MLB.com’s rankings and is currently committed to Florida State.