Round 1 of the MLB Draft has come and gone. I did not immediately become an expert on all 30 selections, but I found some good jumping off points to get to know your team’s newest prospect before they emerge on a top prospect list. For the most part I avoided anything with a paywall, because let’s be real.
Casey Mize, RHP – Auburn
The Tigers surprised nobody by choosing Casey Mize as the 1st overall pick in the 2018 draft. He had the support of Padres prospect, Trey Wingenter, prior to the draft.
Congrats in advance to the kid @caseymize04 on an incredible season and career at Auburn… whichever team is lucky enough to draft him tonight is getting a stud #MLBDraft #WarEagle
— Trey Wingenter (@treywing16) June 4, 2018
Joey Bart, C – Georgia Tech
With Joey Bart the Giants went with one of the most talented guys available, although he doesn’t fit a specific organizational need.
Alec Bohm, 3B – Wichita State
Bohm saw his draft stock rise in recent months and it culminated in a third overall pick.
Nick Madrigal, SS – Oregon State
Oregon State’s shortstop is primarily focused on his team’s current playoff run, but the talented ballplayer knew today was going to be a big day.
Jonathan India, 3B – Florida
Jonathan was drafted slightly above most projections. Drafted as a third baseman, he is certainly expected to be flexible regarding his infield position.
Jarred Kelenic, OF – Waukesha West HS, WI
Kelenic was the first high school player taken in this year’s draft and the highest draft pick ever taken from Wisconsin. He does not seem like a shy guy so adjusting to fame might not be too difficult for him.
.@Mets fans are hoping that @JKelenic_1019's fielding range is better than his vocal range. #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/Jx39MTUVZj
— Cut4 (@Cut4) June 5, 2018
Ryan Weathers, LHP – Loretto HS, TN
Being the son of a pitcher with 19 big league seasons might help a guy get noticed, but throwing 90-95 out of high school is what got him drafted. The Padres are 2-3 years from their competitive window and Weathers might show up right on time. Patrick Cusick identified him as a likely draft target for the Padres earlier in the week.
Carter Stewart, RHP – Eau Gallie HS, FL
After no high schoolers were taken in the first five picks, Carter was the third of a string of prep picks. The Braves’ pick was announced by high school player, Luke Terry. Oh, his curveball spins like you wouldn’t believe.
Carter Stewart and his 3500RPM curveball. 🤢😱 pic.twitter.com/ta2tELinLt
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 14, 2017
Kyler Murray, CF – Oklahoma
Kyler is a ridiculous athlete. If you don’t believe me…
Yeah, that’s a football highlight reel. He is expected to be Oklahoma’s starting quarterback next year and analysts believe he will play football next season. What happens after that is something of a question mark, though it sounds like baseball will be his primary focus.
Travis Swaggerty, OF – University of South Alabama
Last Word on Baseball was correct when they asserted that Swaggerty would be the University of South Alabama’s highest draft pick ever. The Louisiana native was undrafted out of high school but developed remarkably in college.
Grayson Rodriguez, RHP – Central Heights HS, TX
The first of two consecutive Texan high school players the Texas Aggie commit throws 97-98 and could be an important addition for the Orioles in the distant future.
Jordan Groshans, 3B – Magnolia HS, TX
Jordan has more experience as a shortstop, but he was drafted as a third baseman and that’s where he is projected to stick. He’s basically from my hometown so I’ll be keeping an eye on him.
13. Miami Marlins
Connor Scott, OF – H.B. Plant HS, FL
Tampa Bay has been producing a ton of first-round draft picks lately. The Connor Scott selection does not appear to be a reach down in hopes of a hometown discount. He’s athletic, toolsy, and one of the best outfielders in the draft.
14. Seattle Mariners
Logan Gilbert, RHP – Stetson University
As a Fortnite enthusiast, Gilbert will fit in to any clubhouse in professional baseball right now. A two-time Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year Gilbert could rise through the Mariners system quickly.
15. Texas Rangers
Cole Winn, RHP – Orange Lutheran HS, CA
16. Tampa Bay Rays
Matthew Liberatore, LHP – Mountain Ridge HS, AZ
Liberatore was ranked in the top 5 of draft eligible prospects by many outlets and Sporting News described him “as sure a thing as a high-school pitcher can be”. For whatever reason he fell to pick #16 and the Rays.
Jordyn Adams, OF – Green Hope HS, NC
Brady Singer, RHP – Florida
Brady is an intense competitor still embroiled in an intense college post-season. Singer left a lot of money on the table after being drafted in the 2nd Round in 2015 and it looks like it worked out. Also of note, he’s a product of Chet Lemon’s “Juice” program.
Nolan Gorman, 3B – Sandra Day O’Connor HS, AZ
Nolan Gorman was the second Arizona Wildcat commit taken in a 4-pick span after Liberatore. Both will likely sign.
20. Minnesota Twins
Trevor Larnach, RF – Oregon State
Like Singer, Larnach improved his draft position after the 2015 Draft. Singer went from the 2nd round to the 1st round. Larnach went from the 40th round to the 1st round.
Brice Turang, SS – Santiago HS, CA
At one point Brice looked like a first overall candidate. Now that he went 21st he could wind up as an oustanding pick down the road. In his junior season he only struck out one time.
22. Colorado Rockies
Ryan Rolison, LHP – Ole Miss
Just a couple days after striking out a career-high 13 batters, Rolison has been taken 22nd overall by the Colorado Rockies.
23. New York Yankees
Anthony Seigler, C – Cartersville HS, GA
If you heard something about a switch-hitting, switch-pitching catcher this is him. If you didn’t hear about that, then yes. You heard correctly.
24. Chicago Cubs
Nico Hoerner, SS – Stanford
The Athletic has probably the best article out there on Nico Hoerner but that is behind a paywall. But the Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network also did their homework and what they see is above-average speed with power and improved plate discipline.
Matt McLain, 2B – Beckman HS, CA
The athletic McLain draws a lot of Alex Bregman comps and it was his athleticism that drew in the Diamondbacks even though a lot of projections had him as a second-round talent.
26. Boston Red Sox
Triston Casas, 3B – American Heritage School, FL
Mason Denaburg, RHP – Merritt Island HS, FL
An accomplished high school player, it’s no surprise to see the highly regarded Denaburg go in the 1st round.
28. Houston Astros
Seth Beer, OF – Clemson
After seeing a discussion on Twitter regarding Ken Griffey Jr.’s swing, Beer re-evaluated his own swing, saw improvement and is now on the cusp of joining last year’s World Champions.
Noah Naylor, C – St. Joan of Arc Catholic SS, ON
I first learned about Noah Naylor because Padres prospect, Josh Naylor, retweets every tweet about his little brother. While he didn’t go to the Astros, the guys over at Climbing Tal’s Hill did a good write-up on him just recently.
That slide. 🇨🇦 Noah Naylor 😎😎😎😎😎 @baseballcanada #U18WorldCup pic.twitter.com/0PmaeQbA6j
— ⚾ WBSC (@WBSC) September 8, 2017
J.T. Ginn, RHP – Brandon HS, MS
The final pick of the 1st round was the hard-throwing J.T Ginn. Ginn brings the heat, throwing 95-97 MPH consistently while hitting 99 MPH at times. His high-effort delivery may bother some but he looks to be a solid addition.
Eric Killian is an Army Officer who covered the San Diego Padres for Prospects1500 when the site initially launched, but has since moved over to the Houston Astros. He is a longtime baseball fan and collector whose collecting inspired him to learn all he can about up-and-coming players. Follow him on Twitter @USKillian or @BaseBallDayRCs for strictly card collecting content.
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Erichttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/padres001/
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Erichttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/padres001/
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Erichttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/padres001/
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Erichttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/padres001/
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