Promising Phillies Prospect, Cornelius Randolph, Set to Make His Return

Cornelius Randolph (Cliff Welch/MiLB.com)

Last season, the Philadelphia Phillies used the tenth overall pick in the MLB Draft to select high school shortstop, Cornelius Randolph. The Phillies didn’t draft Randolph to be their shortstop of the future, in fact, the first day he stepped onto the field as a Philly; he was thrown into left field. The Phillies drafted Randolph because they saw a kid with the ability to be a big time hitter in the majors.

In high school, Cornelius absolutely destroyed the competition. In his senior year he hit .510, with 74 hits, and 60 RBI’s. The Phillies believed that he could be projected to a middle of the order left-handed bat with potential to develop some power.

His first season in professional ball went well. Cornelius hit .302, with 15 doubles, and 24 RBI’s in just 53 games. His numbers in the Gulf Coast League seemed promising, especially with his seamless transition to left field. This prompted him a promotion to the low-A ball club, Lakewood Blueclaws.

Cornelius started his second season with the Blueclaws, but was only able to play 12 games. In mid-April he was taken out of the line-up due to a shoulder strain and soon enough he was placed on the DL. It was unknown when he would be coming back, but it seems as if the Phillies wanted to take their time with Cornelius and this injury.

Two and a half months later, Cornelius is set to start his comeback in the Gulf Coast League, the same day as the Phillies 2016 first overall pick, Mickey Moniak, makes his debut.

Cornelius Randolph showed great signs of potential last year. Hopefully, coming back from the injury he will be able to pick up where he left off. Randolph has a pretty high ceiling in terms of what he can be once he hits the majors, but the only way he will be able to develop into that player is if he can remain on the field.