16. New York Yankees
Chris Betts, C, Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.) HS
The Yankees are expected to take a position player with this pick, regardless if they are from the high school or college ranks. Happ and Whitley could also be possibilities if they are still available.
17. Cleveland Indians
Jon Harris, RHP, Missouri State
The Indians would love to have a college arm fall right in their lap. Harris is the top remaining college arm on the board and could very well be the Indians pick. Louisville’s Kyle Funkhouser, UCLA’s James Kaprielian and Virginia’s Nathan Kirby could also be possibilities.
18. San Francisco Giants
Kolby Allard, LHP, San Clemente (Calif.) HS
The Giants have had great success drafting and developing high school arms including Madison Bumgarner and Matt Cain. Prior to suffering a stress fracture in his back in late March, Allard was expected to be a top 10 pick. If the Giants feel Allard is healthy, he would be a smart pick.
19. Pittsburgh Pirates
Mike Nikorak, RHP, Stroudsburg (Pa.) HS
The Pirates seem to be interested in high school pitchers. Nikorak is arguably the top prep arm in the draft, and the Pirates would also be selecting a hometown kid.
20. Oakland Athletics
Ashe Russell, RHP, Cathedral HS (Indianapolis)
The Athletics maybe tempted to take UCLA’s James Kaprielian, since he should move through the minor leagues quickly, however many rank Russell as the top or second best prep arm in the draft class.
For more information regarding Russell, check out the article I did regarding him earlier in the season here.
21. Kansas City Royals
Phil Bickford, RHP, College of Southern Nevada
The Royals had interest in Bickford with their No. 8 overall pick two years ago. He ended up being selected by the Toronto Blue Jays with the 10th overall pick, and decided to head to college instead. Bickford is a hard throwing right-hander who racks up a lot of strikeouts, and at worst case scenario will be a relief pitcher in the big leagues.
For more information regarding Bickford, check out the article I did regarding him earlier in the season here.
22. Detroit Tigers
Kyle Funkhouser, RHP, Louisville
The Tigers like hard throwing pitchers, and Funkhouser is definitely that. At one point Funkhouser was expected to be a top 10 selection, but inconsistency and command issues have caused him to slide down draft boards.
For more information regarding Funkhouser, check out the article I did regarding him earlier in the season here.
23. St. Louis Cardinals
Kevin Newman, SS, Arizona
Newman is a two-time batting champion in the prestigious Cape Cod League, and all the buzz surrounding the Cardinals is that they will take a college bat in the first round. If that is the case, Newman is arguably the best player on the board, and could finally be the solution to the Cardinals’ shortstop problems.
For more information regarding Newman, check out the article I did regarding him earlier in the season here.
24. Los Angeles Dodgers
Brady Aiken, LHP, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) post-graduate program
Aiken was the No. 1 overall pick a year ago by the Astros after deal fell apart due to concerns with his elbow. He also had to have Tommy John surgery earlier in the spring. If it wasn’t for the health concerns, there is a good chance he would be the No. 1 overall pick again this year. But, due to his injury history Aiken could now go anywhere in the first round.
25. Baltimore Orioles
James Kaprielian, RHP, UCLA
Although the Orioles are leaning towards selecting a position player due to some of their highly touted pitching prospects struggling to perform and stay healthy, it will be hard to pass on Kaprielian. Kaprielian has been extremely durable and has consistently performed at a high level throughout his time at UCLA.
For more information regarding Kaprielian, check out the article I did regarding him earlier in the season here.
26. Los Angeles Angels
Richie Martin, SS, Florida
The Angels are leaning towards college bats, and Martin would be a great selection. There is no question Martin will be a shortstop at the next level as he possesses a strong arm and a great glove. Although he struggled at the plate in his first two seasons at Florida, he has shown signs of improvement. He won’t be a big home run guy, but he has the potential to be a gap hitter.
