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Johnny Almaraz steps down as Phillies’ amateur scouting director

The 54-year-old talent evaluator requested a position within the organization that will enable him to spend more time with family.

In five years as amateur scouting director, Johnny Almaraz led the Phillies to picking outfielders Cornelius Randolph, Mickey Moniak, Adam Haseley, Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott in the first round.
In five years as amateur scouting director, Johnny Almaraz led the Phillies to picking outfielders Cornelius Randolph, Mickey Moniak, Adam Haseley, Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott in the first round.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

CINCINNATI -- After overseeing the Phillies' last five drafts, Johnny Almaraz has decided to step down as amateur scouting director, the team announced Tuesday night.

Almaraz was neither demoted nor is he leaving the organization. The 54-year-old requested a new position in order to spend more time with his family. He will stay with the Phillies as a special assistant to scouting and player development.

"Johnny Almaraz has had an enormously successful career in baseball," general manager Matt Klentak said in a statement. "He has been instrumental in the signing and development of many quality big league players. We are grateful for the five years that he spent leading our scouting department, and we feel very fortunate that he will continue to have an impact on our scouting and player development efforts in his new role."

Under Almaraz’s leadership, the Phillies used first-round picks on outfielders Cornelius Randolph, Mickey Moniak, and Adam Haseley in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. They drafted third baseman Alec Bohm in the first round in 2018 and shortstop Bryson Stott this past June. Haseley made his big-league debut earlier this season, while Bohm is regarded as the team’s top prospect and likely will graduate to the majors next season.

Greg Schilz, the Phillies’ assistant director of amateur scouting, is a candidate to take over for Almaraz. The Phillies will also consider other internal and external possibilities.