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Sports Media

2016 MLB Draft First Round Recap

2016 MLB Draft

(Yong Kim/Philly Inquirer)

2016 MLB Draft
(Yong Kim/Philly Inquirer)

The Rule 4 amateur baseball draft took place today with an eye towards the future. Unlike Drafts in most sports baseball is one filled with mystery as it is littered with both high school and college prospects. No one can know for sure how these players will turn out often times taking 3-4 years before we can truly find out where teams went wrong. While many experts will tell you emphatically how a prospect will turn out when it comes to baseball no one can know for sure.

  1. Philadelphia Phillies: Mickey Moniak, HS Outfielder

The Phillies take their center fielder of the future in Moniak. Moniak is a high school prospect who has above average speed with high contact rates. There have been comparisons to Christian Yelich of the Marlins.

2. Cincinnati Reds: Nick Senzel, Tennessee 3rd Baseman

Senzel was the MVP of the cap cod league and is considered the best college hitter in the draft. The Reds are expecting Senzel to move through the system quickly and become the eventual replacement for Todd Frazier. This pick appears to be safe picking a complete well rounded 3rd baseman.

3. Atlanta Braves: Ian Anderson, HS Pitcher

Anderson is a right handed high school pitcher from New York. The 6’3″ 170 pound pitcher sits his fastball consistently at 94-96. It appears the Braves reach just a tad due to saving on some bonus money for their later selections.

4. Colorado Rockies: Riley Pint, HS Pitcher

Pint throws gas plain and simple. The right hander from St. Thomas Aquinas has been clocked at 100 MPH in the past. The mechanics are skeptical but there is no question the ceilings is awfully high.

5. Milwaukee Brewers: Corey Ray, Louisville Outfielder

Ray is an outfielder from Louisville who should be a future lead off hitter who is a great athlete. For 5’11” Ray shows great power from the left size who should also steal a bunch of bases at the next level.

6. Oakland A’s: A.J. Puk, Florida Pitcher

Puk is considered the top college lefty who touches 99 and has nasty movement. A 3.21 ERA may be concerning but the stuff and potential is here for the A’s.

7. Miami Marlins: Braxton Garrett, HS Pitcher

Garrett is a left hander from Florida. The Marlins pass on Jersey HS pitcher Jason Groome is favor of Garrett. Garrett throws a ton of strikes but with any HS guy there is enormous risk.

8. San Diego Padres: Cal Quantrill, Stanford Pitcher

The son of Paul Quantrill, Cal has undergone Tommy John in the past with 0 appearences this season to still somehow wind up in the first round. Appears to be a huge reach for the Padres who probably could have been had later because of the injury.

9. Detroit Tigers: Matt Manning, HS Pitcher

The California right hander is also a basketball player who seems to be taking the baseball path due to a top 10 selection. Manning could top 99 with his fastball in the future.

10. Chicago White Sox: Zack Collins, Catcher Miami

Collins is a great pick here for the Chi Sox. Collins likely doesn’t stick as a catcher but the guy has a huge bat who’s ability to hit from the left side makes this a great pick. He also lead the nation with 69 walks.

11. Seattle Mariners: Kyle Lewis, Mercer Outfielder

Lewis is the highest player ever drafted from Mercer. Lewis will be a natural center who can fly and has elite size. He played well in the Cap Cod league to dispel the lack of competition concerns. His .395 average in college should transfer well.

12. Boston Red Sox: Jason Groome, HS Pitcher

Groome has the best stuff in the draft and at the age of 17 has one of the nastiest curveballs I have seen from a high school pitcher. Groome was the number one rated player for much of the days leading up to the draft and should be considered a steal here.

13. Tampa Bay Rays: Josh Lowe, HS 3rd Baseman

With Evan Longoria at the big league level it makes you wonder whether he could be on the move. With any Florida State recruit he is an all around 3rd baseman who could have been a pitcher in college as well.

14. Cleveland Indians: Will Benson, HS Outfielder

Big body, huge upside, tons of potential. Problem is his bat may actually be his weakest asset. Cleveland already has two good outfield prospects in Clint Frazier and Bradley Zimmer. Benson will likely turn down the Duke commitment after the first round selection.

15. Minnesota Twins: Alex Kirilloff, HS Outfielder

Big power outfielder from Plum PA outside of Pittsburgh. Kirilloff won a home run derby contest in San Diego and is expected to be a home run hitter corner outfielder.

16. LA Angels: Matt Thaiss, Catcher Virginia

The Angels took a college catcher in the first round in 2015 and do so again in 2016. The bat is what makes the pick here who may not wind up catching in the big leagues.

17. Houston Astros: Forrest Whitley, HS Pitcher

Whitley is a high schooler from Texas who enters an already loaded farm system in Houston. The 6’7″ righty could be a front line starter who is an imposing threat on the mound.

18. New York Yankees: Blake Rutherford, HS Outfielder

The Yankees get one of the best players in the draft who could have been the first overall pick. Rutherford throws righty but hits lefty and could take advantage of that short poach in right field.

19. New York Mets: Justin Dunn, Boston College Pitcher

The Mets add another pitcher who you know throws 99 no big deal. Dunn has been electric on the mound for BC who has closed and started for them. Great pick here for the Mets

20. LA Dodgers: Gavin Lux, HS Short Stop

Lux appears to be an eventual 2nd baseman with Corey Seager manning the rest of the LA infield. Lux will be a great fielder who is got a contact style swing.

21. Toronto Blue Jays: T.J. Zeuch, Pitt Pitcher

Zeuch dominated at the University of Pittsburgh. The 6’7″ pitcher appears to be a safe college arm with great off speed stuff as well.

22. Pittsburgh Pirates: Will Craig, Wake Forrest Pitcher

Craig was draft as a pitcher but he can also rake and flirted with the ACC triple crown. The Pirates will likely give both hitting and pitching as options.

23. St. Louis Cardinals: Delvin Perez, Puerto Rico Short Stop

One word steal. Perez was one guy I watched and only dropped this far for failing a drug test leading up to the draft. He is a complete short stop at only 17 looks like a future star.

  • Picks 24-34 are compensation picks due to free agency.

 

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