Phillies complete draft

On the third and final day of the first-year player draft, when the focus is less on finding stars and more about filling minor-league depth, the Phillies took a local pitcher and a nephew of the general manager on Wednesday.

Tim Ponto, a righthander from Owen J. Roberts High, was selected by the Phillies in the 39th round (No. 1,201). Ponto is committed to St. Joseph's, and such a late pick probably will not sway his decision.

The Phillies also chose second baseman Andrew Amaro, nephew of GM Ruben Amaro Jr., in the 47th round with pick No. 1,441. Andrew attended Penn Charter and was the second nephew of the general manager to be drafted by the Phillies in the last three years. (Infielder/catcher Rob Amaro was selected in the 40th round in 2009 and is playing at the University of Virginia.)

Andrew Amaro has committed to Maryland.

In all, the Phillies selected 51 players over the three-day event. The picks were concentrated the heaviest among 17 righthanded pitchers, seven catchers, and six shortstops.

The last eight picks made by the Phillies were all high school players, and the majority of the third-day picks are high school players who intend on going to college. The team will follow their progress through the summer to see if they waver on signing before the Aug. 15 deadline.

With the last pick of the draft, No. 1,530, the Phillies selected Kolya Stephenson, a righthanded pitcher from Ocean City. He is the son of Dan Stephenson, the longtime manager of video production for the Phillies.

- Matt Gelb