The 2018 MLB Draft is quickly approaching, as it begins on June 4. Although the MLB Draft doesn’t receive the attention it deserves, it is a critical part for sustained success for major league teams.
The teams in baseball who consistently compete and make the playoffs are the ones who draft well and develop talent from within. Here’s how I see the first round playing out in the 2018 MLB Draft, as of June 1:
1. Detroit Tigers: Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn
2. San Francisco Giants: Joey Bart, C, Georgia Tech
3. Philadelphia Phillies: Alec Bohm, 3B, Wichita State
4. Chicago White Sox: Brady Singer, RHP, Florida
5. Cincinnati Reds: Nick Madrigal, SS/2B, Oregon State
6. New York Mets: Jonathan India, 3B, Florida
7. San Diego Padres: Carter Stewart, RHP, Eau Gallie HS (FL)
8. Atlanta Braves: Nolan Gorman, 3B, O’Connor (Ariz.) HS
9. Oakland Athletics: Travis Swaggerty, OF, South Alabama
10. Pittsburgh Pirates: Jarred Kelenic, OF, Waukesha West (Wis.) HS
11. Baltimore Orioles: Ryan Weathers, LHP, Loretto (Tenn.) HS
12. Toronto Blue Jays: Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Central Heights (Tex.) HS
13. Miami Marlins: Triston Casas, 1B/3B American Heritage (Fla.)
14. Seattle Mariners: Trevor Larnach, OF, Oregon State
15. Texas Rangers: Cole Winn, RHP, Orange Lutheran (Calif.) HS
16. Tampa Bay Rays: Matthew Liberatore, LHP, Mountain Ridge (Ariz.) HS
17. Los Angeles Angels: Shane McClanahan, LHP, South Florida
18. Kansas City Royals: Brice Turang, SS, Santiago (Calif.) HS
19. St. Louis Cardinals: Jackson Kowar, RHP, Florida
20. Minnesota Twins: Ryan Rolison, LHP, Mississippi
21. Milwaukee Brewers: Logan Gilbert, RHP, Stetson
22. Colorado Rockies: Kumar Rocker, RHP, North Oconee HS, (Ga.)
23. New York Yankees: Xavier Edwards, SS, North Broward Prep (Fla.)
24. Chicago Cubs: Connor Scott, OF, Plant (Fla.) HS
25. Arizona Diamondbacks: Steele Walker, OF, Oklahoma
26. Boston Red Sox: Seth Beer, 1B, Clemson
27. Washington Nationals: Mason Denaburg, RHP, Merritt Island (Fla.) HS
28. Houston Astros: Jordan Groshans, 3B, Magnolia (Tex.) HS
29. Cleveland Indians: Jordyn Adams, OF, Green Hope (N.C.) HS
30. Los Angeles Dodgers: Jameson Hannah, OF, Dallas Baptist
31. Tampa Bay Rays: Alek Thomas, OF, Mount Carmel (Ill.) HS
32. Tampa Bay Rays: Jeremy Eierman, SS, Missouri State
33. Kansas City Royals: Ethan Hankins, RHP, Forsyth Central (Ga.) HS
34. Kansas City Royals: Noah Naylor, C, St. Joan of Arc Catholic (Ont.) HS
35. Cleveland Indians: Cole Wilcox, RHP, Heritage (Ga.) HS
