On the evening of the first round of the 2013 MLB draft, experts Jason Churchill and Christopher Crawford will provide pick-by-pick analysis in the opening round. Before diving into the analysis, here are some key resources related to the 2013 MLB draft:
1. Houston Astros: Mark Appel | RHP, Stanford
Appel gives the Astros a future rotation-leading No. 1 starter who could hit the big leagues as early as 2014, thanks to present stuff and polish. Appel immediately becomes the club's top prospect, and could impact how they manage the likes of Lucas Harrell and Bud Norris moving forward. Both have been rumored in trades.
Whether or not Appel signs for MLB's recommended bonus or a little less, the Astros are wide open for their next few picks to take the best player on their board without regard to position or time table. It's worth noting that Appel, as a college senior, is not subject to the July 12 signing deadline. -- Churchill
2. Chicago Cubs: Kris Bryant | 3B, San Diego
For the majority of the spring we heard that the Cubs were going to take either Mark Appel or Jonathan Gray -- whomever the Astros didn't select -- but the Cubs obviously found Kris Bryant's power too difficult to pass on. Chicago has had a need at third ever since Aramis Ramirez left, and even if Bryant has to move to right field, which some scouts think is likely, Bryant becomes one of the best offensive prospects in the entire system. I would expect the former Torero slugger to be contributing in Chicago as soon as late 2014. -- Crawford
3. Colorado Rockies: Jonathan Gray | RHP, Oklahoma
Gray gives the Rockies a future ace, something they have lacked for years, and one that's difficult for the club to buy on the free agent market thanks to the hitter-friendly environment of Coors Field. Gray's ability to miss bats should survive just fine in Denver, and his timetable could land somewhere between a year and a half and two years on the short side.
As Keith Law wrote earlier this week, the right-hander's positive test for Adderall may have an impact on his bonus, perhaps giving the Rockies a shot to save a bit off the top of their bonus pool and spend more on later selections. -- Churchill
4. Minnesota Twins: Kohl Stewart| RHP, St. Puis X HS (Houston)
The Twins scouted Stewart hard all year, so this pick shouldn't come as a surprise. Stewart will certainly sign for higher than the league's recommended bonus -- with the threat to play college football as a negotiating tool -- but I would expect Minnesota to get him into their system. He immediately becomes the Twins' best pitching prospect, and with two plus-plus pitches he could be helping a Minnesota rotation that needs all the help it can get in a couple of years. -- Crawford
5. Cleveland Indians: Clint Frazier | OF, Loganville (Ga.) HS
Frazier was the best performer of the high school hitters this spring, outshining Austin Meadows, a fellow Georgia product, showing plus power and a strong arm. The Indians' system needs talent and it's a bit of a surprise they went with a high school player, but Frazier qualifies as a best-player scenario. It'll be interesting to see where he ends up in pro ball, but the bat should play anywhere, despite the lack of physical projection.
The Indians came into the draft with pitching as one area of need, so perhaps they go in that direction in the next few rounds. -- Churchill
6. Miami Marlins: Colin Moran | 3B, North Carolina
There was a lot of top three talk with Moran, but at the end of the day he went right about where his talent suggested he would be. His advanced approach at the plate could see him progress through the Marlins' organization very quickly, and even if he does have to move across the diamond to first base, he could help the abhorrent Marlins lineup as soon as 2014. -- Crawford
7. Boston Red Sox: Trey Ball | LHP, New Castle (Ind.) HS
Ball, the second-best prep arm in the class after Kohl Stewart, offers big upside and adds to the Red Sox's collection of arms that includes southpaw Henry Owens and right-handers Allen Webster and Matt Barnes. Clearly the club did not draft for need here -- and this is not a reach -- but they could save some bonus pool cash on Ball for later picks. -- Churchill
8. Kansas City Royals: Hunter Dozier | SS, Stephen F. Austin
This is certainly the most surprising pick of the draft, and in this case surprising could mean worst. Dozier can really hit, but no scouts who I've spoken with believe that he can stay at shortstop long-term, which is the only way you could justify taking him in the top 10. He could move quickly through the ranks if Kansas City does move him to the hot corner, but anyone expecting Dozier to be the Royals' starting shortstop in the next couple of years should probably lower their expectations. -- Crawford
9. Pittsburgh Pirates: Austin Meadows | OF, Grayson (Ga.) HS
The Pirates take the best player available here and get an athletic outfielder with a lot of tools and future power. With Andrew McCutchen manning center field, Meadows could move to a corner down the road. He does represent something the club doesn't have a lot of in their organization, and that's left-handed hitting with upside.
The Bucs pick again at 14. -- Churchill
10. Toronto Blue Jays: Phil Bickford | RHP, Oaks Christian (Calif.) HS
Bickford had as much -- if not more -- helium as any prospect in the draft, thanks in large part to his projection and his arm strength. He's a long way away from contributing to a big league rotation, and he'll need to improve the secondary offerings if he's going to start at the next level, but the Blue Jays should have enough depth to allow him to develop into a potential mid-rotation starter, maybe more if the slider and changeup improve significantly. -- Crawford
11. New York Mets: Dominic Smith | 1B, JSerra Catholic HS (Gardena, Calif.)
Smith offers a strong hit tool and future power, and the Mets clearly went best player rather than need or an attempt to save a significant amount of cash under MLB's recommended bonus for later picks. This could also signify the club's long-term plans at the big league level, possibly including an active free-agent winter. -- Churchill
12. Seattle Mariners: D.J. Peterson | 3B, New Mexico
Peterson has an above-average power and hit tool, though his numbers have been inflated playing in the very friendly confines of New Mexico and the Mountain West Conference. The Mariners have holes essentially everywhere but third base in their lineup, so I expect him to play first base at the professional level. If he hits like he has in 2013, he could be in Seattle in late 2014 as Justin Smoak's replacement. -- Crawford
13. San Diego Padres: Hunter Renfroe | OF, Mississippi State
Renfroe possesses above-average power and solid corner-outfield defense and immediately becomes the top offensive prospect in the Padres' system, and certainly the one closest to the majors. The club is loaded with talent, but a lot of it is on the mound, so don't be surprised if San Diego continues to draft hitters in later rounds. -- Churchill
14. Pittsburgh Pirates: Reese McGuire | C, Kentwood (Wash.) HS
The Pirates were rumored to take McGuire at 9, so they have to be thrilled to have him end up at 14. His defensive skills are unquestionably the best of any catcher in this draft, and if he can show enough offensive ability to justify playing every day, he could be one of the best defensive catchers in all of baseball in 3-4 years. -- Crawford
15. Arizona Diamondbacks: Braden Shipley | RHP, Nevada
Shipley "fell" to the 15th pick and the Diamondbacks add to their riches in the pitching department. It could ultimately give the club options, as Daniel Hudson and Ian Kennedy get deep into arbitration and become expensive.
The D-backs draft again at Nos. 36 and 52, and they'll have the chance to grab some position talent with either or both picks after taking the best player at No. 15. -- Churchill
16. Philadelphia Phillies: JP Crawford | SS, Lakewood (Calif.) HS
Crawford was considered by most to be the best shortstop prospect in this class, and a player that most believe will stick at the position despite only average speed. With very little in the system in terms of middle-infield, Crawford has a great chance to be the Jimmy Rollins heir apparent by probably around 2015. -- Crawford
17. White Sox: Tim Anderson | SS, East Central CC
Anderson, the top collegiate shortstop in the class, has a decent chance to stick at the position. If he can develop the hit tool, he could be a top-of-the-order option with plus speed. The White Sox have taken very good athletes with their first pick two years in a row -- Courtney Hawkins last June.
Right-handers Ryne Stanek and Alex Gonzalez, outfielder Austin Wilson, catchers Nick Ciuffo and Jon Denney, as well as prep righties Hunter Harvey and Devin Williams are still on the board. Southpaw Sean Manaea's injury and lack of a stellar spring are clearly impacting his draft position. -- Churchill
18. Los Angeles Dodgers: Chris Anderson | RHP, Jacksonville
At one point Chris Anderson looked like a top 10 pick, but the results waned a bit toward the end of the year. The Dodgers love big, strong right-handed pitchers, and that's exactly what Anderson provides them. He'll definitely enjoy the friendly confines of Dodger Stadium, but the command will have to get better if he's going to be in Dodger blue by 2015. -- Crawford
19. St. Louis Cardinals: Marco Gonzales | LHP, Gonzaga
The Cardinals add to their pitching riches with a high-probabilty, low-ceiling lefty in Gonzales, who is a good athlete and could swim through the system quickly. The joke in ESPN Draft Room West is that whoever the Cardinals take will be a star in a few years, so it really doesn't matter. Gonzales may not be that level of an arm, but the chances he gets to St. Louis inside of two years are good.
The Cardinals have another pick at No. 28 as compensation for free agent Kyle Lohse. Gonzales is a potential under-slot selection that could help the club go bigger at that spot. -- Churchill
20. Detroit Tigers: Jonathan Crawford | RHP, Florida
This one has been rumored for a while, and should come as no surprise. If you throw hard and you're right-handed, you've got a great chance to be drafted by Dave Dombrowski. Crawford wasn't at his best this year, and I personally think he works best as a high-leverage reliever who could contribute in mid-2014. As a starter, it's tough to imagine him contributing anytime soon.
Detroit also picks at 39, so it will be interesting to see how much signability played into this selection. -- Crawford
21. Tampa Bay Rays: Nick Ciuffo | C, Lexington (S.C.) HS
The Rays get the best all-around catcher in the class in Ciuffo, adding a future option behind the plate that they otherwise do not have. He's a ways from the major leagues, like most catchers, but the Rays have a track record of being patient with their young players.
The Rays draft again at 29, but have plenty of signing bonus pool to work with -- just under $6.7 million total -- and could stay with best player available. Perhaps the best prep pitcher on the board -- Kyle Serrano, Devin Williams or maybe lefty Matt Krook could be in their sights. -- Churchill
22. Baltimore Orioles: Hunter Harvey | RHP, Bandys HS (Catawba, N.C.)
There's no question about Harvey's signability -- he didn't even bother committing to a college -- and there's no doubt that he has top of the rotation potential as well. Like Anderson, the results weren't as good towards\ the end of the year, and many scouts believe he's going to be a reliever because of the arm action and lack of a third quality offering. That being said, Harvey is now the Orioles' best pitching prospect behind Dylan Bundy, and with those two and Kevin Gausman, the Orioles could have a very scary rotation in 2016. -- Crawford
23. Texas Rangers: Alex Gonzalez | RHP, Oral Roberts
The Rangers get a college right-hander who could help them within a year and a half. His stuff projects to play well in their ballpark, thanks to a hard cutter, good fastball movement and future plus command. -- Churchill
24. Oakland Athletics: Billy McKinney | LF, Plano (Texas) West HS
You better be able to hit if you're projected to play in left field at the next level, and McKinney can do absolutely that. The Athletics' outfield is deep right now, but knowing how Billy Beane works that could change in a heartbeat, giving McKinney a chance to be the A's everyday left fielder in a few years. He's going to have to work very hard on his defense, though. -- Crawford
25. San Francisco Giants: Christian Arroyo | SS, Hernando HS (Brooksville, Fla.)
Arroyo isn't likely to stick at shortstop and there's talk of him landing behind the plate. This appears to be a reach, and unless a big name falls all the way to 64, where the Giants select next, the club will be spreading out any savings over several rounds on Day 2. -- Churchill
26. New York Yankees: Eric Jagielo | 3B, Notre Dame
You may not have known this, but the Yankees' third base situation is a bit in flux. Jagielo is going to be able to stay at third base -- at least in the short-term -- and with above-average power he's going to really enjoy that right-field porch. Because of his advanced plate approach, I could see him in pinstripes sometime in 2014, early 2015. -- Crawford
27. Cincinnati Reds: Phil Ervin | OF, Samford
Ervin is a high probability outfielder who isn't likely to stick in center field. He likely represents an under-slot pick that could allow the club to spend big at No. 38, the second-to-last pick in the first competitive balance round.
The Reds do need outfielders looking forward, as Shin-Soo Choo is a free agent following the 2013 season, but Ervin is no guarantee to serve as a regular down the line. -- Churchill
28. St. Louis Cardinals: Rob Kaminsky | LHP, Saint Joseph Regional HS Montvale, N.J.)
The Cardinals obviously read my draft preview mention that left-handed pitching was not one of their strengths, as they've taken two of the better ones in this year's class. Kaminsky has an outstanding feel for pitching and could move very quickly in the St. Louis system. There isn't a ton of projection, but the Cardinals now have two of the "safer" southpaws in the 2013 class. -- Crawford
29. Tampa Bay Rays: Ryne Stanek | RHP, Arkansas
Stanek's fall finally ends. He's been the best player on the board for an hour and a half, and after tabbing prep catcher Nick Ciuffo with the first of their two first-round picks at No. 27, the Rays add a college arm that could get to the majors quickly.
Stanek's stuff may rank behind only Mark Appel and Jonathan Gray in this class, but his inconsistent command and some concern about his arm action suggest it's possible he ends up in the bullpen. Giving him every chance to stick as a starter could pay off huge for the Rays, who may lose David Price via free agency or trade within the next few years. -- Churchill
30. Texas Rangers: Travis Demeritte | SS, Winder-Barrow HS (Winder, Ga.)
The Rangers love athletic hitters with raw power -- who doesn't really? -- so this is a perfect fit in their system. He'll very likely be a third baseman at the next level, but should be a quality one if he maxes out to his potential. The Rangers have one of the best in the game in Adrian Beltre, but Demerrite could be his replacement in a few seasons. Third makes even more sense when you think of how loaded the Rangers are up the middle for the next few years. -- Crawford
31. Atlanta Braves: Jared Hursh | RHP, Oklahoma State
I'm surprised lefty Matt Krook didn't go here. Hursh reminds me of the Braves' selection of Sean Gilmartin in the first round in 2011: limited upside and isn't likely to be much more than a No. 4 starter. He ranked No. 49 on Keith Law's Final Top 100.
The Braves don't have extra picks and do not draft again until No. 65, but they could save on Hursh's bonus and spread it out over the next several picks. -- Churchill
32. New York Yankees: Aaron Judge | OF, Fresno State
The once loaded Yankees outfield has deteriorated over the past years, so taking an outfielder like Judge makes a lot of sense. At 6-foot-7, 255 pounds, he's got power to all fields, and like Jagielo he will enjoy the short porch of Yankee Stadium. He becomes one of -- if not the -- best hitting prospects in the system, and he could be hitting homers for the Bronx Bombers as soon as 2015. -- -- Crawford
33. New York Yankees: Ian Clarkin | LHP, Madison HS (San Diego)
Clarkin was the second-best prep lefty available, according to Keith Law's Top 100, behind only Matt Krook. The Yankees get some upside here, and with both Jagielo and Judge have had themselves a solid first round. This pick was a compensatory pick for losing Rafael Soriano to free agency. -- Churchill