Click here for picks 1 – 14. In collaboration with Scott Sandulli
15. Philadelphia Phillies – Mick Abel, RHP, Jesuit HS (Oregon)
Grade: A
Player Comp: Jack Flaherty
Analysis: Abel’s live arm ranks him as the 11th best draft prospect, according to MLB.com. His fastball and curveball combination is among the elite in this class. Abel also features an impactful changeup. The Oregon highschool prep has a similar windup as Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg. There is plenty to be excited about in the near future for Abel. Philadelphia recieves great value at this selection with Abel.
16. Chicago Cubs – Ed Howard, SS, Mount Carmel HS (Illi.)
Grade: A+
Player Comp: Tim Anderson
Analysis: The Cubs got their guy in Ed Howard. Howard, a home grown Chicago native was the Cubs’ top target entering the draft. Howard is equipped with plus speed along with a solid bat. Many describe Howard as a pure elite athlete. If Howard pans out, Chicago could hit the jackpot with this selection. This selection is deserving of an A+ and maybe the best pick in the draft.
17. Boston Red Sox – Nick Yorke, 2B, Archbishop Mitty HS (Cali.)
Grade: B-
Player Comp: Cavan Biggio
Analysis: Entering the draft, many predicted organizations to underslot (hope to return to college to receive money / draft slot) with their picks. Tonight, Boston fell under this category by selecting California prep second baseman Nick Yorke. The Red Sox are in re-build mode due to recent trades and free agency losses. In the near future, when draft eligible again, you will for sure hear Nick Yorke’s name again.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks – Bryce Jarvis, RHP, Duke
Grade: B+
Player Comp: Lucas Giolito
Analysis: Many projected Jarvis to fall to the second round, but this isn’t the case as Arizona scoops him up at with the 18th selection. Jarvis’ best feature that separates him from the pack is his consistency on the mound. The Duke product has a plus repitoure featuring a live fastball along with a moving change up. To add, Bryce Jarvis tossed a perfect game against Cornell in this years shortened season. This was a bit of a stretch for Arizona, but well deserving of a B+.
19. New York Mets – Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Harvard Westlake HS (Cali.)
Grade: A
Player Comp: Brett Gardner
Analysis: Many though the California prep Pete Crow-Armstrong would go top 10, top-15 range. Crow-Armstrong and his plus speed slips to the New York Mets at number 19. The Vanderbilt commit is arguably the best high school outfielder in this years class. Crow-Armstrong features an impact arm along with a high ceiling of potential. The Mets made the right selection with Crow-Armstrong.
20. Milwaukee Brewers – Garrett Mitchell, CF, UCLA
Grade: A
Player Comp: Charlie Blackman
Analysis: Many projected the UCLA product to be selected in the top 10. Mitchell and his high upside slip to Milwaukee. At this selection, the center fielder was the best available and his talent-filled utilities back up that fact.. Mitchell was the heart and soul of the UCLA Bruins team last season and will take his winning mentality to the Brewers. Mitchell has plus speed at his 6’3 filled out frame. Furthermore, great selection by the Brewers front office deserving of an A.
21. St Louis. Cardinals – Jordan Walker, 3B, Decatur HS (GA.)
Grade: B
Player Comp: Kris Bryant
Analysis: The Georgia prep, Jordan Walker, lands in St Louis. Walker’s high exit velocity off the bat is special. A fantastic tool of the Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year is his plus-plus power. Walker has high upside and is uses his speed really well on the basepath. In the future, Walker could be used at either corner infield position. A common pro player comparison is Cubs superstar Kris Bryant. Good value at this selection by St Louis.
22. Washington Nationals – Cade Cavalli, RHP, Oklahoma
Grade: B
Player Comp: AJ Burnett
Analysis: Coming off a World Series, the Nationals selected Oklahoma pitcher Cade Cavalli. Looking on the surface, this was a fantastic selection. Cavalli has the ideal body frame for a major league pitcher and features a strong K/BB ratio. Many describe the Oklahoma product as an athletic freak on the mound. Although, there are some concerns regarding his consistency. Cavalli does not have a ton of innings under his belt, leading to some questions. The Nationals take the minor risk, deserving of a B.
23. Cleveland Indians – Carson Tucker, SS, Mountain Pointe HS (AZ.)
Grade: B+
Player Comp: Marcus Semien
Analysis: The Cleveland Indians are in rebuild mode and have found a key piece in this process. Arizona prep product Carson Tucker is destin to make in impact in the big leagues sooner than later with Cleveland. Tucker has a middle of the order bat, along with a smooth and solid glove at shortstop. The University of Texas signee is very athletic at on the field and trending upwards. If Tucker fills out, he could be an every day middle infielder for Cleveland.
24. Tampa Bay Rays – Nick Bitsko, RHP, Central Bucks East HS (Penn.)
Grade: A+
Player Comp: Trevor Bauer
Analysis: The Rays hit the jackpot with this selection. Bitsko is every team analytics department’s dream pitcher. His spin rate and velocity is increasing quickly and is eager to make an impact at the big league level. Bitsko’s unique arm slot along with his high velocity fastball is as good as you can get in this years draft class. Watch our for Tampa Bay’s pitching staff in the near future. Well suited pick to Tampa, deserving of an A+.
25. Atlanta Braves – Jared Shuster, LHP, Wake Forest
Grade: A
Player Comp: Luis Castillo
Analysis: Shuster is considered one of the most underrated arms in this years draft class. The Wake Forest product throws a top of the notch change up that gives off a high swing and miss rate. Shuster can control the zone with his pinpoint accuracy. The fast learner will no doubt be a critical piece in the Braves rotation, or even bullpen in the near future.
26. Oakland A’s – Tyler Soderstrom, C, Turlock HS (Cali.)
Grade: B+
Player Comp: Jonathan Lucroy
Analysis: Oakland goes with California prep Catcher Tyler Soderstrom. Many intend this pick to be an underlsot signing for the A’s. The catcher ranks at the top a among high schoolers in this class. Soderstrom’s strong arm along with his defensive talents make him a pitchers best friend behind the plate. The California Gatorade Player of the year features a sweet lefty swing. No surprise, you will hear Soderstrom’s name called again in the draft in the near future
27. Minnesota Twins – Aaron Sabato, 1B, UNC
Grade: A
Player Comp: Nelson Cruz
Analysis: Many believe the UNC product Aaron Sabato to have a top-5 bat in this years draft class. Sabato has light tower power and fits perfectly as a clean up hitter for any big league team. A plus-plus bat along with his ideal 1st base body frame is like to other in this draft class. The slugger was projected to be a mid-2nd round pick, he ultimately slides in the back end of round 1. Fantastic steal by the Twins.
28. New York Yankees – Austin Wells, C, Arizona
Grade: B+
Player Comp: J.T Realmuto
Analysis: Wells, a projected mid second rounder slides up in the penultimate pick of the 1st round. The Arizona product draws many comparisons to J.T Realmuto behind the dish and at the plate. Wells is equipped with a plus bat and is able to dissect opposing pitchers when in the box. Wells has quick hands but has room to fill defensively. None the less, good pick for New York.
29. Los Angeles Dodgers – Bobby Miller, LHP, Louisville
Grade: B+
Player Comp: Aaron Nola
Analysis: The round out the first round, the Dodgers take the Louisville product Bobby Miller. Miller was the number 2 pitcher behind Reid Detmers this season for Louisville. Miller has a triple digit arm with a consistent fastball. Miller’s stock is rising in this class. In the near future, many project Miller to be an impact relief pitcher in the big leagues. Strong selection by LAD to conclude round 1.
Photo: Twins Daily
