READ: 2017 MLB Draft: Profiles on top prospects
READ: The3rdManIn.com’s MLB Draft prospect history
With less than a month until the MLB First-Year Player Draft gets underway on June 12, there is still a lot of uncertainty. But, the MLB Draft is starting to take some shape, especially towards the top. Here’s how the first-round of the MLB Draft looks as of May 20.
1. Minnesota Twins: Brendan McKay, LHP/1B, Louisville
Brendan McKay is an intriguing option as a pitcher and position player. Scouts are split on McKay’s position in professional baseball, but expect a team to try him on the mound first.
Read my MLB Draft profile on McKay here.
2. Cincinnati Reds: Hunter Greene, RHP, Notre Dame HS (Calif.)
Hunter Greene could be the first prep right-hander ever taken No. 1 overall, but even if he isn’t, he won’t slide past the third overall pick.
3. San Diego Padres: Royce Lewis, SS/OF, JSerra Catholic HS (Calif.)
The Padres are hoping Greene falls to them, but if he doesn’t, Royce Lewis or Vanderbilt right-hander Kyle Wright are options here.
Read my MLB Draft profile on Lewis here.
4. Tampa Bay Rays: Kyle Wright, RHP, Vanderbilt
Kyle Wright is the top college right-handed pitcher in this year’s MLB Draft and has a potential to even go No. 1 overall. Wright still has a lot of room to grow and possesses frontline starter potential.
5. Atlanta Braves: MacKenzie Gore, LHP, Whiteville HS (N.C.)
MacKenzie Gore has had a strong senior season and is rising up MLB Draft boards. The Braves love high-ceiling arms and Gore fits the bill. Some scouts believe Gore is a better pitcher than Greene.
Read my MLB Draft profile on Gore here.
6. Oakland Athletics: J.B. Bukauskas, RHP, North Carolina
J.B. Bukauskas has performed well this spring, but his size is keeping him from being regarded as the top college pitcher in this year’s MLB Draft class.
7. Arizona Diamondbacks: Adam Haseley, OF, Virginia
The D-Backs are focused on college players, such as Virginia teammates Adam Haseley and Pavin Smith. Haseley is a rising prospect due to his impressive performance this spring. He’s the top college outfielder in this year’s MLB Draft class.
8. Philadelphia Phillies: Pavin Smith, 1B, Virginia
Figuring a team drafts McKay as a pitcher, Pavin Smith is the best college hitter in this year’s MLB Draft class. With a great approach at the plate and above-average power, Smith will go in the first 10 picks.
9. Milwaukee Brewers: Jordon Adell, OF, Ballard HS (Ky.)
The Brewers will take the best player available, regardless of position. They’ve been linked to prep left-handed pitchers like D.L. Hall and Trevor Rogers.
Jordon Adell has five-tool potential and the best all-around tools in this year’s MLB Draft class.
Read my MLB Draft profile on Adell here.
10. Los Angeles Angels: Austin Beck, OF, North Davidson HS (N.C.)
Austin Beck didn’t participate on the showcase tour last summer, after suffering a left knee injury. Beck has the potential to go in the top five picks, but he has little experience hitting with a wood bat against elite pitching, which concerns scouts.
11. Chicago White Sox: Alex Faedo, RHP, Florida
A 6-foot-5, 225-pound right-hander, Alex Faedo has front-line starter potential. Faedo underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees last fall and has had an up-and-down junior season.
12. Pittsburgh Pirates: Keston Hiura, 2B, UC Irvine
Keston Hiura is a legitimate college bat, but an elbow injury has limited him to DH duties all spring. College bats like Vanderbilt’s Jeren Kendall and Missouri State’s Jake Burger are also options for the Pirates.
Read my MLB Draft profile on Hiura here.
13. Miami Marlins: Trevor Rogers, LHP, Carlsbad HS (N.M.)
Trevor Rogers is a rising prospect with the potential to go in the top 10 picks. A 6-foot-6 lefty, Rogers has a high-ceiling and features a three-pitch mix, including a mid-90s fastball.
14. Kansas City Royals: Shane Baz, RHP Concordia Lutheran HS (Texas)
Shane Baz has been connected to the Royals frequently this spring. Baz has a five-pitch repertoire, featuring a fastball, cutter, slider, curveball and changeup. He also has a chance to go as high as fifth overall to the Braves.
15. Houston Astros: Griffin Canning, RHP, UCLA
UCLA’s No. 1 starter, Griffin Canning has improved his MLB Draft stock this spring and could even go higher with a strong finish to the season.
Read my MLB Draft profile on Canning here.
16. New York Yankees: Bubba Thompson, OF, McGill-Toolen HS (Ala.)
Bubba Thompson is the best athlete in this year’s MLB Draft class and is rising up draft boards due to his potential and high-ceiling.
Read my MLB Draft profile on Thompson here.
17. Seattle Mariners: David Peterson, LHP, Oregon
A strong spring has vaulted David Peterson into the first-round. A 6-foot-6, 240-pound lefty, Peterson has been a complete pitcher, impressing scouts this spring. General manager Jerry DiPoto favors college players in the first-round.
Read my MLB Draft profile on Peterson here.
18. Detroit Tigers: Alex Lange, RHP, LSU
The Tigers are leaning towards college pitchers, and Alex Lange is one of the top college arms in this year’s MLB Draft class. He has a track record of success as a starter and has an outstanding fastball-curveball combination.
Read my MLB Draft profile on Lange here.
19. San Francisco Giants: D.L. Hall, LHP, Valdosta HS (Ga.)
One of the top prep pitchers, D.L. Hall has a high-ceiling and would be a great value pick for the Giants at No. 19.
20. New York Mets: Nick Pratto, 1B, Huntington Beach HS (Calif.)
A talented two-way player, Nick Pratto’s future is at first base. One of the best prep bats in the 2017 MLB Draft class, Pratto has an advanced approach at the plate and is a solid all-around player.
21. Baltimore Orioles: Jake Burger, 3B, Missouri State
Jake Burger is one of the top college bats and possesses massive power. He isn’t the most graceful, but is a solid all-around player, who could move through the minor leagues rather quickly.
22. Toronto Blue Jays: Jeren Kendall, OF, Vanderbilt
A skilled outfielder, Jeren Kendall has intriguing tools, but his high strikeout rate concerns scouts, hurting his MLB Draft stock significantly.
23. Los Angeles Dodgers: Tanner Houck, RHP, Missouri
Tanner Houck was regarded as a top 10 pick earlier this year. But after an uneven season and questions about his delivery, Houck’s stock has taken a hit.
24. Boston Red Sox: Evan White, 1B, Kentucky
With five-tool potential, Evan White is an intriguing college hitter that can play first base and in the outfield.
Read my MLB Draft profile on White here.
25. Washington Nationals: Logan Warmoth, SS, North Carolina
Logan Warmoth has solid speed and the ability to stick at shortstop long-term. He also has respectable power for a middle infielder.
26. Texas Rangers: Sam Carlson, RHP, Burnsville HS (Minn.)
No Minnesota prep pitcher has gone in the first-round, but Sam Carlson appears like he’ll be the first. A 6-foot-4, 195-pound right-hander, Carlson’s fastball has sat in the mid-90s this spring.
27. Chicago Cubs: Nick Allen, SS, Parker HS (Calif.)
The Cubs are hoping a college pitcher falls to them, but if one doesn’t, it allows them to take a high-ceiling prep bat.
Read my MLB Draft profile on Allen here.
28. Toronto Blue Jays: Corbin Martin, RHP, Texas A&M
Possessing a three-pitch mix, Corbin Martin throws a mid-90s fastball that touches 98 mph, a nasty curveball and a changeup.
Read my MLB Draft profile on Martin here.
29. Texas Rangers: Tristen Lutz, OF, Martin HS (Texas)
If the Rangers take a pitcher with their first pick in the first-round, they could turn to a high-ceiling prep hitter with their second selection.
Read my MLB Draft profile on Lutz here.
30. Chicago Cubs: Quentin Holmes, OF, Monsignor McClancy Memorial HS (N.Y.)
A Mississippi State commit, Quentin Holmes is a dynamic player on both sides of the ball due to his elite speed.
Read my MLB Draft profile on Holmes here.
First-Round Compensation Notes
• The Colorado Rockies forfeit their first-round pick (No. 11) after singing Ian Desmond.
• The St. Louis Cardinals forfeit their first-round pick (No. 19) after signing Dexter Fowler.
• The Cleveland Indians forfeit their first-round pick (No. 25) after signing Edwin Encarnacion.
* – No. 28 overall pick is compensation for losing Edwin Encarnacion in free agency.
* – No. 29 overall pick is compensation for losing Ian Desmond in free agency.
* – No. 30 overall pick is compensation for losing Dexter Fowler in free agency.
