Phillies 2026 first-rounder Spangler swats first pro homer at Single-A
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Entering the 2026 Draft, scouts described Tyler Spangler as more polish than flash, equipped with a simple, solid approach at the plate.
That mostly held true through the early part of the 18-year-old's pro career, with five hits through his first seven games -- including a double -- to go along with seven runs, five RBIs and four walks.
But on Friday night, the flash made an appearance -- in a big way.
Spangler mashed his first career home run and provided the difference for Single-A Clearwater in a 13-9 victory over Fort Myers at BayCare Ballpark.
The Phillies' No. 4 prospect reached base twice, also working a five-pitch walk in the seventh, scored a pair of runs and extended his hitting streak to five games.
On the 28th pitch that Spangler saw on Friday, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound lefty-swinger turned around a 92.1 mph sinker from Twins prospect Adam Falinski and muscled it the other way to the berm beyond the wall in left-center.
The Phillies selected Spangler with the 36th overall pick in July's Draft out of De La Salle High School in Northern California. The organization was able to sign him away from his Stanford commitment with an over-slot bonus that came in just shy of $3.25 million.
Spangler put together a strong showcase at events like MLB’s High School All-American Game and the Area Code Games in the summer after his junior season, but a back injury sidelined him for his entire senior campaign that put into question if he would still go in the first round. The shortstop attended the Draft Combine and showed the Phillies enough for the organization to select him with their first pick.
Because of the 18-year-old's size, instincts and old-school approach to the game, more veteran baseball people have mentioned he reminds them of a young Cal Ripken Jr.-type. There are others, because he hits left-handed, that have made the invariable Corey Seager comparisons.