After a shortened five-round edition in 2020, the 2021 MLB draft went to 20 rounds over three days earlier this week.
Now that all 612 picks are in the books, the big question is: How did each team do?
Here's a team-by-team breakdown of all 30 draft classes, grouped by division, with the first five picks in each draft class listed.
Jump to a franchise:
American League
BAL | BOS | CHW | CLE | DET
HOU | KC | LAA | MIN | NYY
OAK | SEA | TB | TEX | TOR
National League
ARI | ATL | CHC | CIN | COL
LAD | MIA | MIL | NYM | PHI
PIT | SD | SF | STL | WSH
AL East
Baltimore Orioles
1 (5): Colton Cowser, CF, Sam Houston State
2 (41): Connor Norby, 2B, East Carolina
CB-B (65): Reed Trimble, OF, Southern Miss
3 76): John Rhodes, OF, Kentucky
4 (106): Donta' Williams, OF, Arizona
5 (137): Carlos Tavera, RHP, University of Texas - Arlington
The O's did another Mike Elias special here with what will surely be a healthy underslot deal in the top five picks. Cowser is roughly a 10th-overall talent (12th on my board) with an advanced hit tool, center-field fit and emerging power, and the main issues being his overall ceiling and that he faced mid-major competition at Sam Houston. It's a fine decision, but not one I would've made with my top overall prospect, shortstop Jordan Lawlar, and my No. 5, Kahlil Watson, still on the board. It all comes down to how those savings were spent, and this crop of prospects isn't awe-inspiring.
Norby is one of the surest bats in the college class, Trimble is a later-blooming college tools bet, and Rhodes is a solid value with an unlucky BABIP season. I like bat-first ninth-rounder Ryan Higgins out of Fresno State and data-friendly 11th-rounder RHP Dylan Heid out of Pitt-Johnstown, but it seems like this solid class is missing the big upside swing that balances out the Cowser savings.
Boston Red Sox
1 (4): Marcelo Mayer, SS, Eastlake HS (CA)
2 (40): Jud Fabian, OF, Florida
3 (75): Tyler McDonough, 2B, NC State
4 (105): Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, RHP, Leadership Christian Academy (PR)
5 (136): Nathan Hickey, C, Florida
Mayer, my No. 2 prospect and a near coin flip for the top spot, was the best pick in the top 10 for me. I'd guess it's a good bit above slot, but nothing wild, and the Red Sox landed a prospect who, for me, is better than Jack Leiter, even if he isn't the quick, name-brand prospect more casual fans were hoping for. Fabian's number was rumored to be around $3 million (between 22nd and 23rd overall slots): So while I'm not wild about him as a player, that's a fine price to pay for another big upside bet at Boston's second pick, leaning on the hitting development staff.
Because those two are probably a good bit overslot, the Red Sox don't take another overslot candidate in the top 10 rounds, but they do select a nice group that includes a contact hitter in McDonough, a projection arm in Rodriguez-Cruz, an advanced catcher/first base bat in Hickey, some power-armed relief types in Matt Litwicki and Wyatt Olds, along with a DH-ish power bat in Niko Kavadas and a more versatile hit-first one in Tyler Miller. Fifthteenth rounder Payton Green is a seven-figure, overslot target (I'm guessing if someone expected doesn't sign in the top 10 rounds), and 20th-rounder Josh Hood is playing on the Cape after his spring season at Penn was canceled and is a solid gamble. While I'm not the biggest Fabian fan, I like what the Red Sox did here.
New York Yankees
1 (20): Trey Sweeney, SS, Eastern Illinois
2 (55): Brendan Beck, RHP, Stanford
3 (92): Brock Selvidge, LHP, Hamilton HS (AZ)
4 (122): Cooper Bowman, 2B, Louisville
5 (153): Tyler Hardman, 1B, Oklahoma
The Yankees perennially have some of my favorite, deep draft classes, but this one is more solid than spectacular. Sweeney is an intriguing mid-major risk/reward college bat who might have gone higher with a full summer and had a lot of interest around this range. Beck is a 22-year-old college righty with real command whose stuff spiked in the college postseason and fits the Cleveland mold of teaching raw stuff to pitchers with advanced command. If the stuff spike sustains, he should move quickly. Selvidge is likely to be a well-over-slot prep lefty whose stuff was first-round caliber in the summer, 88-91 mph for first half of the spring, then back into the mid-90s late, but the breaking ball was still on its way back. I don't love betting on prep arms with some effort and up-and-down stuff for seven figures, but the Yankees also have a strong pitcher development program, so I'll reserve full judgment for a bit.
Bowman is a solid infielder with hit-first profile, and Hardman is an older power-first bat, while Auburn RHP Richard Fitts is the most intriguing later pick, selected in the sixth round. He looked like a mid-first-rounder entering the year, but his stuff this spring was inconsistent, though the raw parts were still there. Fitts fits the Yankees mold of flawed/struggling/limited college pitcher with enviable raw tools; just switching him to a four-seam fastball and amping up the aggression in shorter stints might be all he needs to get back to first-round form.
Tampa Bay Rays
1 (28): Carson Williams, SS, Torrey Pines HS (CA)
CB-A (34): Cooper Kinney, 2B, Baylor HS, TN
2 (63): Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Washington State
3 (100): Ryan Spikes, 2B, Parkview HS (GA)
4 (130): Dru Baker, OF, Texas Tech
5 (161): Mason Auer, OF, San Jacinto College North
Like the Yankees, the Rays usually put together a class that I like, is deep and leans into their scouting/development strengths; they did it again this year.
Williams fits their preference for hit-first middle infielders and might eventually fit their love for two-way types if he decides to embrace his mid-90s heater on the mound. Kinney was one of my picks to click and also fits the Rays mold of non-shortstop-type middle infielders with a strong hit tool. Manzardo had some late buzz as a poor man's Max Muncy with a little bit of versatility, a real hit tool and some pop. Spikes is, wait for it, a hit-first middle infielder, and the Rays had their top two decision-makers at a late season Spikes/Kinney matchup that I attended.
I'm into a number of their later picks, with Mason Auer as a player with raw upside who, like Williams, has the talent to play both ways. Mason Montgomery (sixth, Texas Tech) and Patrick Wicklander (eighth, Arkansas) are both college lefties with occasionally excellent stuff who probably fit best a couple innings at a time, another thing the Rays excel at working with.
Toronto Blue Jays
1 (19): Gunnar Hoglund, RHP, Ole Miss
3 (91): Ricky Tiedemann, LHP, Golden West College
4 (121): Chad Dallas, RHP, Tennessee
5 (152): Irv Carter, RHP, Calvary Christian Academy (FL)
6 (182): Hayden Juenger, RHP, Missouri State
The Jays were missing a second-rounder due to the George Springer signing but landed four pitchers at the top of the class for solid values. Hoglund is a post-Tommy John surgery college pitcher akin to Jeff Hoffman due to their medical status, but he's a totally different type of patcher with plus command, above-average stuff who was a lock for the top 10 picks before surgery. Tiedemann is an 18-year-old Juco product, a lower-slot lefty with a nasty, lateral sinker/slurve/changeup combo that could fit in a number of roles. Dallas finished strong in the SEC with excellent numbers but solid-average raw stuff, while Carter was a well-known prep power pitcher with velocity up to 97 mph with a plus curve on first-rounder Andrew Painter's team.
AL Central
Chicago White Sox
1 (22): Colson Montgomery, SS, Southridge HS (IN)
2 (57): Wes Kath, Deer Mountain HS (AZ)
3 (94): Sean Burke, RHP, Maryland
4 (124): Brooks Gosswein, LHP, Bradley
5 (155): Tanner McDougal, RHP, Silverado HS (NV)
I liked what the White Sox did up top, getting a little bit lucky on two prep hitters who fell and then maneuvering down the board. This was always Montgomery's floor, and he was almost picked a few spots ahead of 22; this is a great upside and value pick for a system that really needed it. Kath had some interest in the late 20s and 30s, then the White Sox landed him for what I'm told is about a half million over slot, or roughly the 40th overall bonus slot. Burke is a solid third-round value as a starter with a swing-and-miss heater, Gosswein is a solid, late-rising power lefty who could fit in a few roles, and McDougal was my top riser from the draft combine. He's up to 97 mph with a heavy sinker, a slurve that is over 3000 rpm and a changeup with nice shape -- a real good starting point for an upside projection arm.
Cleveland Indians
1 (23): Gavin Williams, RHP, East Carolina
2 (58): Doug Nikhazy, LHP, Ole Miss
3 (69): Tommy Mace, RHP, Florida
3 (95): Jake Fox, SS, Lakeland Christian School (FL)
4 (125): Ryan Webb, LHP, Georgia
5 (155): Tanner Bibee, RHP, Cal State Fullerton
Cleveland has one huge strength (drafting/developing largely one-dimensional college pitching) and one other big draft tendency (targeting hit-first and/or 17-year-old prep hitters). The Indians really leaned into the former in this draft, with one example of the latter. Williams has huge stuff and decent command, but a short track record of starting and some medical concerns.
After that, Nikhazy fits the classic Cleveland model of solid-average stuff in a starting role and advanced feel for pitching, as does Mace, Webb, Bibbee, seventh-rounder Jack Leftwich, eighth-rounder Rodney Boone, 13th-rounder Davis Sharpe, 14th-rounder Tanner Denholm and 16th-rounder Zach Pettway. Fox is a hit-first prep who was rumored to have a $1 million price tag and might fit best long term at second base. It might seem boring, but it's smart.
Detroit Tigers
1 (3): Jackson Jobe, RHP, Heritage Hall HS (OK)
CB-A (32): Ty Madden, RHP, Texas
2 (39): Izaac Pacheco, SS, Friendswood HS (TX)
3 (74): Dylan Smith, RHP, Alabama
4 (104): Tyler Mattison, RHP, Bryant University
The Tigers' rebuild is going pretty well on the strength of hitting on their recent top-10 picks but doing just OK on the picks outside of the first round, though last year's second pick Dillon Dingler is breaking that trend.
Jobe is risky due to his demographic but might be the best prep pitching prospect in years. I like the aggressive bet on upside and confidence in their evaluation, but all four prep shortstops were there, and I would've taken all of them over Jobe. Detroit has made some strides in the pitch design arena, and Madden was a good value at No. 32 (I'm assuming for over slot), but I'm not sure they're the best organization to figure out how to optimize a pitcher who will probably need to morph a bit into a sinker/slider mid-rotation type; it'll be a good barometer for where their pitching development is.
Pacheco has a long track record of hitting, with some power and hot corner defense, and probably would have been drafted in the next dozen picks if the Tigers didn't take him at No. 39. Smith is a solid value as an upside college arm with a breakout 2021, and Mattison hit 99 mph at the draft combine, as another power arm in the Tigers' preferred mold. I liked a handful of other names in this class as role player types, so I like the chances of this class returning some value beyond the first pick.
Kansas City Royals
1 (7): Frank Mozzicato, LHP, East Catholic HS (CT)
2 (43): Ben Kudrna, RHP, Blue Valley Southwest HS (KS)
CB-B (66): Peyton Wilson, 2B, Alabama
3 (78): Carter Jensen, C, Park Hill Senior HS (MO)
4 (108): Shane Panzini, RHP, Red Bank Catholic HS (NJ)
I did a 30-minute spot on a Kansas City radio station talking about the strategy the Royals took around the draft class, because there's a lot of conversation to be had. The Royals passed on (or were told not to draft?) Kumar Rocker and then spent most or all of that potential over-slot bonus on two upside prep pitchers and a prep catcher, the two riskiest demographics in the draft, and two of the three were from their own backyard.
When posed the option between Rocker and under slot or this chosen Royals route on the radio show, I didn't mention my answer would be a secret third option (Kahlil Watson and another prep bat), but I was conflicted on which I would choose. I was high on Mozzicato and low on Rocker. And I tend to like betting on upside, but I also tend to like rolling my bonus money into a few elite types rather than spread it around.
I like all of these first five picks individually (and upside bet Eric Cerantola as the sixth pick), though I would've put this class together differently. With an upside/prep lean, the Royals stand to have a chance to get multiple everyday players, and while they might not have had a real shot to sign Rocker, this class will be measured against that decision for years to come.
Minnesota Twins
1 (26): Chase Petty, RHP, Mainland HS (NJ)
CB-A (36): Noah Miller, SS, Ozaukee HS (WI)
2 (61): Steven Hajjar, LHP, Michigan
3 (98): Cade Povich, LHP, Nebraska
3 (128): Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 3B, Oklahoma State
The Twins took a class of solid talents but selected all of them ahead of where I had them ranked, so the value wasn't outstanding.
Petty's velocity is up to 100 mph with three potentially above-average pitches, but the demographic risk on a now-arm-speed prep righty is too much for me at this pick. Miller is an intriguing cold-weather projection shortstop, but the raw tools right now aren't that loud. Hajjar has the data-friendly armslot and vertically oriented stuff with some mid-90s readings on the radar gun and could be a solid arrow-up bet. Christian MacLeod in the fifth is an almost identical type, just with less velocity and a rough end to the season.
There's solid depth to college role players in this class, but the prep upside of Petty and Miller will dictate the success of this group.
AL West
Houston Astros
3 (87): Tyler Whitaker, OF, Bishop Gorman HS (NV)
4 (117): Alex Ulloa, SS, Calvary Christian Academy (FL)
4C (132): Chayce McDermott, RHP, Ball State
5 (148): Quincy Hamilton, OF, Wright State
6 (178): Spencer Arrighetti, RHP, Louisiana Lafayette
The Astros were missing their first two picks in this draft due to the sign-stealing penalties but pulled off the sort of approach I would go for in this situation -- get a first-round talent and turn to money savers quickly.
Whitaker had some buzz in the late-20s but was more of a consensus second-round talent due to mixed reviews of his hit tool. I'm sure he'll sign for a well-above-slot bonus, while Ulloa (hit-first non-shortstop with some pop, up-and-down spring) and McDermott (big upside college power arm) should be around slot as solid values. Then the Astros took more money-saver types the rest of the way.
Los Angeles Angels
1 (9): Sam Bachman, RHP, Miami Ohio
2 (45): Ky Bush, LHP, St. Mary's College (CA)
3 (80): Landon Marceaux, RHP, LSU
4 (110): Luke Murphy, RHP, Vanderbilt
5 (141): Brett Kerry, RHP, South Carolina
The Angels set a record picking 20 pitchers with their 20 picks, but they also did a solid job picking solid values. I assume they cut some money at their first pick with Bachman; he had some interest a few picks behind from the Nationals but was expected to go somewhere in the 20s. He has two plus-plus pitches in a heater up to 101 mph and a knockout slider but has lots of markers for a relief fit, though the Angels could use someone like that.
Bush flashes two pluses in his fastball/slider mix from the left side but has thrown only strikes this spring, so there's some risk. Marceaux is more of a pitchability type who sits around 90 mph with an above-average breaking ball. Murphy is an upper-90s power relief type with below-average command, while Kerry works 90-93 mph with deception and a solid average slider, producing ridiculous numbers in relief that could translate to starting. Jake Smith (sixth), Ryan Costeiu (seventh), Andrew Peters (10th), and Mo Hanley (13th) are more relief types, while Braden Olthoff (ninth), Chase Silseth (11th), Mason Albright (12th), and Mason Erla (17th) all have a shot to start.
Oakland Athletics
1 (25): Max Muncy, SS, Thousand Oaks HS (CA)
2 (60): Zack Gelof, 3B, Virginia
3 (97): Mason Miller, RHP, Gardner-Webb University (NC)
4 (127): Denzel Clarke OF, Cal State Northridge
5 (158): CJ Rodriguez, C, Vanderbilt
Muncy is a solid pick in keeping with the upside prep bat rumors long tied to this pick, following on last year's big success in taking Tyler Soderstrom with their top pick. I didn't love my look at Gelof this spring, but taking him this high implies Oakland thinks it can tap into his raw power better than Virginia did.
Miller is one of the better 22-year-old righties of many in this class, with a heater into the upper-90s and a shot to start. Clarke is the second-best tools bet, upside college outfielder behind Orioles second-rounder Reed Trimble, and Rodriguez is a fine defensive catcher with a great contact rate in the SEC, but rumors are he had a seven-figure asking price. Seventh-rounder RHP Grant Holman out of Cal had second- and third-round buzz and, presumably, asking price, so he's another nice find later in the draft.
Seattle Mariners
1 (12): Harry Ford, C, North Cobb HS (GA)
2 (48): Edwin Arroyo, SS, Central Pointe Christian Academy (FL)
3 (83): Michael Morales, RHP, East Pennsboro HS (PA)
4 (113): Bryce Miller, RHP, Texas A&M
5 (144): Andy Thomas, C, Baylor
I didn't think the Mariners were considering high school players at their top pick, but Ford had excellent, relevant metrics (explosive hands at the plate, contact rate over the summer, speed, defensive value) to put him ahead of college bats Sal Frelick and Matt McLain. Arroyo is a young-for-the-class (aka, also model-friendly), switch-hitting prep shortstop with some power potential. Morales should be solidly above slot as a second-round talent in the Cleveland model of strong feel and solid average raw stuff. Miller will be 23 in a few months but has a data-friendly, plus fastball/slider combo that worked in longer outings for the first time this spring, and he could move quickly through the system.
Texas Rangers
1 (2): Jack Leiter, RHP, Vanderbilt
2 (38): Aaron Zavala, OF, Oregon
3 (73): Cameron Cauley, SS, Barbers Hill HS (TX)
4 (103): Ian Moller, C, Wahlert HS (IA)
5 (134): Micah Bratt, LHP, Georgia Premier Academy (GA)
Leiter was probably the right pick for Texas here (I'd slightly prefer Jordan Lawlar or Marcelo Mayer), and from the industry buzz on Leiter's preferences, it also might have taken some gumption without a set price. Zavala was a late riser with upside and a shot to play catcher but likely just fits in right field. Cauley has some questions on his offensive impact, and Moller also has big upside (easy plus raw power, fits behind the plate), but questions on his contact ability. Bratt is an upside Canadian lefty, sixth-rounder Chase Lee is a potentially quick-moving sidearmer, and eighth-rounder Larson Kindreich is a Division II lefty with velocity into the mid-90s at times.
NL East
Atlanta Braves
1 (26): Ryan Cusick, RHP, Wake Forest
2 (59): Spencer Schwellenbach, P, Nebraska
3 (96): Dylan Dodd, LHP, Southeast Missouri State (MO)
4 (126): Cal Conley, SS, Texas Tech
5 (157): Luke Waddell, SS, Georgia Tech
The Braves followed most of the pre-draft rumors and went for college upside with their first two picks. Cusick has one of the best fastballs in the draft -- maybe behind only Jack Leiter -- with velocity up to 101 mph and solid bat-missing shape at the top of the zone. His low-spin curveball still plays above average, but he's a project for Atlanta's development as there isn't really a third pitch and his command is below average in part because he's so big. Schwellenbach was viewed as a second-to-third rounder as a hit-first shortstop but will be developed as a starting pitcher in pro ball, where he's a fringe first-round talent. The risk (and why he lasted this long) is due to his pitching for the first time since high school this spring, exclusively in relief (31.2 innings in 18 appearances). There's risk with such a short recent track record on the mound and he got a collagen brace around his UCL after cleaning it up due to elbow soreness. The upside is two plus pitches in his mid-90s heater and slider, with an above-average changeup and starter traits.
After that, it's a typical role-player, college-type draft. Dodd is a lefty with solid average stuff and moxie, Conley and Waddell are bat-first infielders, Malloy is more of a power/corner type. The later upside picks are seventh-rounder Texas prep RHP A.J. Smith-Shawver (plus physical tools, quarterback, up to 96 mph but raw; rumors it's low seven figures), eighth-rounder Texas prep CF Tyler Collins (70 or 80 runner from Jordan Lawlar's travel team; is raw with some feel for contact; sounds like mid six figures) and 11th-rounder Canadian prep LHP Adam Shoemaker (6-foot-6 and up to 94 mph).
Miami Marlins
1 (16): Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest HS (NC)
CB-A (31): Joe Mack, C, Williamsville East HS (NY)
2 (52): Cody Morissette, SS, Boston College
3 (88): Jordan McCants, SS, Pensacola Catholic HS (FL)
4 (118): Tanner Allen, OF, Mississippi State
Watson (even for what should be a solidly over-slot bonus) is the steal of the draft and my fifth-ranked talent. I've heard a couple explanations for why he slid this far, but none of them make any sense. If this goes the way I think it will and some of the picks ahead of him flop, I wouldn't be surprised if this puts some scouting directors on the hot seat.
I like Mack and Morissette at those picks, and Allen has an under-slot option to make up for Watson's bonus. McCants was drawing very mixed reports this spring for questions on the hit tool in games, but he's a super athlete with upside, and given the rest of this crop, I'll reserve judgment on McCants. Brady Allen (fifth), Sam Prayton (sixth) and Ivan Melendez (16th) are some of the best college power types available at those picks; I'm always going to like a class that's heavy on position players and good values.
New York Mets
1 (10): Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt
2 (46): Calvin Ziegler, RHP, St. Mary's Catholic SS (ON)
3 (81): Dominic Hamel, RHP, Dallas Baptist
4 (111): JT Schwartz, 1B, UCLA
5 (142): Christian Scott, RHP, Florida
Obviously, Rocker will dictate if this draft class is seen as successful, both due to his big percentage of the draft pool and also the notice the Mets got right after this pick for getting the most famous player in the draft below where he was expected to go. I would've jumped out of my seat to do a similar move to get Kahlil Watson, but Rocker was my eighth-ranked talent and I was the industry-low guy on him, so it's a solid move for a win-now team.
Ziegler was seen more back-end of the top 100 so I'll assume there's some savings in that second pick and Hamel is 22 years old (into mid-90s with above- average breaker, starter traits, data-friendly), but was expected to go in that range, as were Schwartz (durability concerns but hit/power/patience combo at first base) and Scott (into mid-90s with solid average slider and solid command at times, may work better in shorter stints). RHP Mike Vasil (eighth) is likely to be overslot as he looked like a second-rounder on good days, fourth-rounder on bad ones. RHP Levi David (ninth) has wacky raw stuff (fastball, curve) but a relief look, while LHP Keyshawn Askew (10th) is a versatile sidearmer, and OF Rowdey Jordan (11th) is in the Jake Mangum mold of hit-first SEC veteran outfielder.
Philadelphia Phillies
1 (13): Andrew Painter, RHP, Calvary Christian HS (FL)
2 (49): Ethan Wilson, OF, South Alabama
3 (84): Jordan Viars, OF, Rick Reedy HS (TX)
4 (114): Micah Ottenbreit, RHP, Trenton HS (MI)
5 (145): Griff McGarry, RHP, Virginia
Some (risk-averse) teams will not even consider a prep righty in the first round, but scouting director Brian Barber has gone to the well twice, with Mick Abel last year and Painter this year, both similar prep righties. Painter had interest right behind this and seemed like a threat to get floated to the 30s for overslot money a notch below what slot is at the 13th pick. Wilson was polarizing due to his limitations (left field only) and mid-major competition, but was a solid value in the second round. I didn't know much about Viars other than his name and that he was a position player; he's a type like Wilson who will need to hit and hit for power to justify this pick. Ottenbreit is a projection cold-weather arm with a couple of solid qualities but varying evaluations around the industry.
McGarry was a favorite of our CWS broadcast staff for his great postseason outings but has a long track record of lively stuff with poor quality strikes. RHP Jose Pena Jr. (sixth) is not only the first draftee from my high school, but the first player to even get real pro interest (no, it's wasn't me) while in high school, justifying it with a heater that was up to 99 mph late in the spring and a plus-flashing spike curveball.
Washington Nationals
1 (11): Brady House, SS, Winder Barrow HS (GA):
2 (47): Daylen Lile, OF, Trinity HS (KY)
3 (82): Branden Boissiere, OF, Arizona
4 (112): Dustin Saenz, LHP, Texas A&M
5 (143): T.J. White, OF, Dorman HS (SC)
I called Kahlil Watson the steal of the draft, but the Nationals also got great value with their first pick in getting my No. 6 overall prospect at the 11th overall pick. House is risky and has the biggest upside in the draft due to 30-plus homer power and an infield fit, a profile the Nationals love. Lile was seen as one of the safest prep bats in the class, with a sweet lefty swing and a scorching-hot spring, but is a bit of a tweener in terms of power/speed with both around average. Boissiere had interest from multiple teams around this pick and has an advanced, bat-first profile. Saenz is a performance lefty with solid average stuff, while White is a power-over-hit prep upside play, LHP Michael Kirian (sixth) is a multi-inning reliever with a fastball/curve combo, CF Jacob Young (seventh) is a contact-first utility type, and 1B Will Frizzell (eighth) has massive raw power but some risk.
NL Central
Chicago Cubs
1 (21): Jordan Wicks, LHP, Kansas State
2 (56): James Triantos, 3B, James Madison HS (VA)
3 (93): Drew Gray, LHP, IMG Academy (FL)
4 (123): Christian Franklin, OF, Arkansas
5 (125): Liam Spence, SS, Tennessee
Wicks was a solid pick, especially for an organization looking for quick-moving starting pitching. His low-90s fastball and average slider are fine, but his plus-plus changeup and above-average command are the separating abilities here.
Triantos was a late-rising prep infielder with some Dan Uggla vibes as a likely second/third baseman and a successful, but very pull-and-power-oriented, right-handed cut. Gray is one of the best projection bets in the class with limited miles on his arm, mid-90s flashes and 3,000 rpm on his curveball, but he's also raw. Franklin is a power-oriented college development type who has an overaggressive approach, but the Cubs have had some success with a similar player last year in Jordan Nwogu.
Cincinnati Reds
1 (17): Matt McLain, SS, UCLA
1C (30): Jay Allen, OF, John Carroll Catholic HS (FL)
CB-A (35): Matheu Nelson, C, Florida State
2 (53): Andrew Abbott, LHP, Virginia
3 (89): Jose Torres, SS, NC State
The Reds had the fourth-highest bonus pool -- without a pick in the top of the first round -- due to two compensation picks. As expected they got a lot of solid players, but I was underwhelmed overall.
Rumor around the industry is McLain will sign for $4.6 million (between 10th and 11th slot amounts), roughly $1 million over slot, at No. 17 for a player I ranked 15th overall who didn't seem to have a ton of interest until a few picks before their selection. I liked the Allen pick, though I will note he's a polarizing prospect with reviews from the late first round to the third round. Rumor is Nelson signed for about slot at 35th overall. He had a strong spring, hit a bunch of homers, and can stick behind the plate, but there's real questions about the overall offensive upside due to the whiff rate and him being 22 years old. The Reds have done well with catchers in the draft, so I'm curious how this one will play out.
Abbott is a solid lefty starter who is likely a bit below slot as a 22-year-old in the second round. Torres, like Nelson, is a solid player who also has questions about the overall offensive impact. Cincy added a couple of potential starters (Kevin Abel in the seventh, Hunter Parks in the eighth), a couple of likely relievers (Thomas Farr in the fifth, Shawn Guilliams in the 11th), and another risk/reward type with contact issues in Justice Thompson in the sixth. I don't hate the group of talent here, but I think they could've done better with the ammunition they had, and McLain's outcome will go a long way to defining this class.
Milwaukee Brewers
1 (15): Sal Frelick, OF, Boston College
CB-A (33): Tyler Black, 2B, Wright State
2 (51): Russell Smith, LHP, TCU
3 (86): Alex Binelas, 3B, Louisville
4 (116): Logan Henderson, RHP, McLennan CC (TX)
I'm the biggest Tyler Black backer outside of his family, ranking him 16th overall, so I'm already going to like this class since the Brewers snapped him up at 33. Frelick was 11th in my final rankings and I heavily prefer to take position players with high picks, so this was a blazing start for the Brew Crew -- though obviously Kahlil Watson would've been the perfect answer here. Smith (big lefty starter with solid-average stuff) and Binelas (30-homer lefty power, but likely first base fit and huge swing-and-miss concerns) are both solid, lower-upside college types you largely see model teams taking at that juncture. SoCal prep 2B Roc Riggio (94th on my final rankings) in the 11th round is the other big name in this solid class.
Pittsburgh Pirates
1 (1): Henry Davis, C, Louisville
2 (37): Anthony Solometo, LHP, Bishop Eustace Prep School (NJ)
CB-B (64): Lonnie White Jr., OF, Malvern Prep School (PA)
3 (72): Bubba Chandler, RHP, North Oconee HS (GA)
4 (102): Owen Kellington, RHP, U-32 HS (VT)
With big bonus pools -- and the Pirates had the biggest one in the draft -- I want to see an aggressive deployment across a handful of elite prospects where the team flexes its power and moves players down the board. Pittsburgh did that really effectively, taking probably the highest floor of all of the six viable candidates for the top overall pick, and I would guess they'll save over $1 million relative to slot. Solometo (crafty lefty with above-average stuff) was targeted by a couple of teams picking in the 20s that hoped they could push him to their next pick, but Pittsburgh plucked him with the first pick of Day 2. Sounds like the Pirates went about $1 million over slot to land White (committed to be a wide receiver at Penn State, big power, some feel to hit) in the second comp round and about $2 million over in the third round to land Chandler (first-round prospect as a two-way, dual-sport commit to Clemson). I think Kellington (late-rising projection northern prep arm up to 94 mph) was around slot, then the Pirates turned to money savers in the fifth to help make all of this action up top work.
St. Louis Cardinals
1 (18): Michael McGreevy, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
2 (54): Joshua Baez, OF, Dexter School (MA)
CB-B (70): Ryan Holgate, OF, Arizona
3 (90): Austin Love, RHP, North Carolina
4 (120): Zane Mills, RHP, Washington State
Perennially, the Cardinals do a solid job of taking seemingly boring starting pitchers and mixing in enough risks to keep the pipeline to the big leagues flowing. McGreevy, Love, Mills, fifth-rounder Gordon Graceffo and likely over-slot seventh-rounder Alec Willis fit the starting pitcher role, with all flashing some level of upside, but Willis, a late-rising prep out of Colorado, has the biggest gap between now and potential. Baez has a chance to be an impact, middle-of-the-order right fielder (who is also up to 97 mph on the mound), but comes with swing-and-miss concerns, while Holgate has big lefty pop and solid production but more of a low-end every-day upside if things work out.
NL West
Arizona Diamondbacks
1 (6): Jordan Lawlar, SS, Jesuit HS (TX)
2 (42): Ryan Bliss, SS, Auburn
CB-B (67): Adrian Del Castillo, C, Miami
4 (107): Chad Patrick, RHP, Purdue University Northwest
5 (138): Caleb Roberts, C, North Carolina
The D-backs got my top overall prospect at the sixth pick and won't have to go wildly over slot, so that's a big win. Del Castillo at 67th overall is a great value for a player who looked like a mid-first-rounder to start the year. Bliss at 42nd overall is higher than I would have taken him, but he was productive at the plate in the SEC and can play the infield, so he comes with a high floor. Steinmetz is a solid upside prep righty with a plus curveball, Patrick is an intriguing small-school performer with some stuff, and Roberts has a shot to be a solid big league catcher. Sixth-rounder Luke Albright has a good shot to end up as a back-end starter, and eighth-rounder Gavin Conticello was one of the more impressive hitters at the MLB draft combine. It's a deep class of solid prospects with some diversity in style, as is typical by the D-backs.
Colorado Rockies
1 (8): Benny Montgomery, CF, Red Land HS (PA)
2 (44): Jaden Hill, RHP, LSU
CB-B (68): Joe Rock, LHP, Ohio
3 (79): McCade Brown, RHP, Indiana
4 (109): Hunter Goodman, C, Memphis
I would've preferred Kahlil Watson or Brady House, and Colorado was considering Kumar Rocker, but I get the impression the Rockies didn't want to go well over slot, although I'm not sure House or Watson would've required that. I like Montgomery, too, and if he hits (I think he will), he'll be an above-average every-day player.
Hill isn't my type of pitcher as an upside college type with an elbow surgery, injury history and not much track record, but loads of raw stuff to the eyeball to work with once he turns 22. Rock's velo was trending down a bit and some teams were scared of his delivery, but there's solid back-end upside. Brown has big raw stuff but hasn't quite harnessed it yet. All four of these prospects are projects for development and Colorado's group hasn't exactly distinguished itself in this regard in recent years. Goodman may be able to catch in a robo-ump future, while he's sure to hit homers with his power-focused approach, but contact could be an issue at higher levels. LHP Evan Justice (fifth) could move quickly in relief, LHP Evan Shawver (seventh) helped his stock on the Cape in recent weeks, and RF Robby Martin Jr. (eighth) had a rocky spring but had early-round potential earlier in his college career. CF Zach Kokoska (10th), SS Nic Kent (11th) and CF Braiden Ward (16th) are college position players who are good balls of clay for the development staff to work with.
Los Angeles Dodgers
1 (29): Maddux Bruns, LHP, UMS-Wright HS (AL)
3 (101): Peter Heubeck, RHP, Gilman School (MD)
4 (131): Nick Nastrini, RHP, UCLA
5 (162): Ben Casparius, RHP, UConn
6 (192): Emmet Sheehan, RHP, Boston College
I constantly refer to the Dodgers as one of the best-run teams in baseball and still think that's the case, but this draft class is a little confusing.
Bruns has the best raw stuff (up to 98, 70-grade curve, 60-grade slider) among all lefties in this draft, but some scouts put a 20 on his command. The industry seems to be moving away from signing this sort of pitcher out of high school, but I'll trust the Dodgers' track record enough to assume they know something I don't here. I also think this is still a seven-figure bonus, but probably a good bit below the $2.42 million slot.
Heubeck in the third round is much more expected, as a fluid, 6-foot-3 projection bet who shows above-average stuff at times now. His price tag was rumored to be around $2 million and he was set to be sophomore-eligible in two years at velo factory Wake Forest, so he had loads of leverage. I think the slots of these two picks plus the 5% overage and a couple of seniors should cover these two bonuses.
Nastrini and Sheehan are both interesting college arms who have shown flashes of plus stuff, while Casparius, a 22-year-old, is more of a strike-throwing starter. The Dodgers didn't take a position player until the 16th round and there's more notable arms beyond those mentioned -- LHP Justin Wrobleski in the 11th, LHP Ronan Kopp in the 12th, RHP Antonio Knowles in the 13th to name a few -- but I'm not sure I would've bet the vast majority of my bonus money on two high school pitchers. If I were to, I'd at least want to have the Dodgers' track record with pitchers, though.
San Diego Padres
1 (27): Jackson Merrill, SS, Severna Park HS (MD)
2 (62): James Wood, OF, IMG Academy (FL)
CB-B (71): Robert Gasser, LHP, Houston
3 (99): Kevin Kopps, RHP, Arkansas
4 (129): Jackson Wolf, LHP, West Virginia
The Padres continue to do stuff similarly to how I would, taking two upside prep position players with their first two picks. Merrill is a very late riser with some Stephen Drew vibes who had lots of interest 30-45, so he probably went under slot here. Wood was rumored to have a $3 million price tag after his stock went from mid-first-round in February to second-round-at-best after an up-and-down spring.
There's some savings types mixed in to make those bonuses fit, with Kopps the most prominent, since he could go straight to the big leagues as a 24-year-old reliever who torched the SEC. Gasser also could fit best in relief, hitting 95 mph at times with a bat-missing heater and plus slider, but possibly as a money saver since he's 22. Wolf is also 22 and has solid-average stuff from a low lefty slot, while teammate RHP Ryan Bergert (sixth) has a power arm but had TJ this spring. 2B Max Ferguson (fifth) had first-round hopes in February, a poor spring, then a solid finish; he's a plus runner with some feel to hit. 2B Lucas Dunn (eighth) is one of my favorite utility types in this class.
The Pads also took three late swings in the 18th (prep LHP Gage Jump, a fringe first-round talent), 19th (juco RF Gabriel Rincones, a late-rising third- or fourth-round type committed to Florida Atlantic) and 20th (prep RHP Chase Burns, a consensus second-round talent) rounds.
San Francisco Giants
1 (14): Will Bednar, RHP, Mississippi State
2 (50): Matt Mikulski, LHP, Fordham
3 (85): Mason Black, RHP, Lehigh
4 (115): Eric Silva, RHP, JSerra Catholic HS (CA)
5 (146): Rohan Handa, LHP, Yale
Giants president of baseball ops Farhan Zaidi is very good at staying ahead of trends in the game, particularly on the pitching side, so their drafts are always instructive to try to see what he's focusing on.
Bednar has a horizontally oriented approach (some progressive teams are looking more this way), plus slider paired with the classic four-seam, bat-missing mid-90s heater and the intangibles we could all see during his dominating postseason run. Mikulski is more vertically oriented in his movement profiles and has a relief look, but some teams think he could become a starter in pro ball. Silva pitches at one of the high schools in the country that has a TrackMan unit and has that same bat-missing profile to his heater. Black, Handa, and sixth-rounder LHP Seth Lonsway are all college power arms into the mid-90s with power breakers and command questions. It seems like bat-missing heaters and power stuff of any kind are what the Giants were hunting this year, with no position players taken until the 10th round.