Welcome!
While the 2016 MLB Draft class hasn't become the superstar laden class that so many thought it would be—on paper, anyway—it is one of the deeper classes we've seen over the past few years, and that means we're going to see a lot of quality players selected over the next few hours. It's going to be fun, I promise.
Here's our live pick-by-pick analysis of Day One of the 2016 MLB Draft:
1. Philadelphia Phillies: Mickey Moniak, OF, La Costa Canyon HS (Calif.)
Color me surprised, even though this was strongly rumored for the past 72 hours, I still thought A.J. Puk was going to be the pick. The good news is that Moniak is one of the best prep bats in this draft; he has a plus hit tool, and he has sneaky pop from the left side as well. The bad news is he doesn't offer elite upside, and they passed on the four best players in the draft to take him. The Phillies should save a ton of cash with this move, but in my humble estimation, this is a pretty significant reach.
2. Cincinnati Reds: Nick Senzel, 3B, Tennessee
Surprise (kind of) again! Senzel has one of the best hit tools in the class from the right side, and he's not bereft of power, either. Add in above-average arm strength and solid range, and he should be a good performer at the hot corner. I think this is a slight reach based on my board, but it's not a major one, and he certainly fits an organizational need. Don't be surprised if he's one of the first position players to make it to the big leagues in the next couple years.
3. Atlanta Braves: Ian Anderson, RHP, Shenendehowa HS (NY)
I would be surprised by this, if I hadn't heard this for a while. That being said, this is not a top-three pick for me. He has a plus fastball and shows an above-average slider, and he will show a decent change as well. I don't think he has a ton of upside, however, and they pass on guys like Groome, Pint and Ray who do. Again, this is a money saver, but again, you could have taken a better player and saved. Huh.
4. Colorado Rockies: Riley Pint, RHP, St. Thomas Aquinas HS (KS)
This one has been rumored for a while, and even though the Rockies have gone pitching-heavy in previous drafts, this one makes a ton of sense. Pint's fastball is electric, and he'll show a plus curve and nasty change on top of it. I have four concerns: 1. He doesn't have great command or a delivery that suggests he will 2. There's a lot of effort in said delivery and then Coors Field twice. There's a ton of upside here, but there's a reliever floor, as well.
5. Milwaukee Brewers: Corey Ray, OF, Louisville
Ray may not be at the top of my draft board, but he is my favorite player in the draft. If that doesn't make sense to you, that's okay. He can flat out hit, and he has underrated pop from the left side. He's also a guy who can steal 30-40 bases, and I give him at least a chance to stick at center. The upside is high, but it's the extremely high floor that makes me love this pick. Good job, Milwaukee.
6. Oakland Athletics: A.J. Puk, LHP, Florida
Puk was rumored to go as high as pick one, and while he's not the top-rated player on my board, he's pretty solid value at this point. He has a plus-plus fastball that will touch 97 mph with run, and his slider is a swing-and-miss pitch with good tilt. My only concerns are that he hasn't shown that stuff on a consistent basis, and he's already battled some back problems. Still, in a draft that is bereft of quality southpaw starters, getting someone like this at pick six is nice for Oakland.
7. Miami Marlins: Braxton Garrett, LHP, Florence HS (Ala.)
Garrett saw his stock rise seemingly every month, and he's that rare prep pitcher who offers some safety—stuff-wise, anyway. There are three above-average pitches in his left arm, and he repeats his delivery very well. This is very much not your typical "high-upside, crazy-low-floor" Marlins pick. He has a chance to be a solid third starter, and assuming he keeps repeating his delivery/stays healthy, he could move quickly through the system.
There were rumors that Quantrill had a deal done with the Padres and that's why he didn't pitch this year. Here's one clue in favor of those rumors. Quantrill would have been a top five pick before his Tommy John surgery, and when he was healthy, he showed three out pitches and quality command. There's risk because of how long it's been since he's thrown, but he's one of the few college pitchers here with any upside.
9. Detroit Tigers: Matt Manning, RHP, Sheldon HS (Calif.)
Hey, the Tigers took a hard-throwing right-hander, who could have guessed? Manning is the son of former NBA Center Rich Manning, and he has as much athleticism as any prep pitcher in the class. Neither of his secondary pitches is consistent, but he's a two-sport athlete, so you're just gonna have to wait a little longer. The upside is big, and Detroit has done well to acquire a talent like this here.
10. Chicago White Sox: Zack Collins, C, Miami (FL)
Collins is one of the most advanced college bats in the class, a left-handed hitting backstop who was among the NCAA leaders in walks and also shows plus power in the process. There's a strong chance he's going to have to move off the position, but expect the White Sox to give him a chance to catch. If he can, he's an All-Star, and if he can't he's a regular at the cold corner.
11. Seattle Mariners: Kyle Lewis, OF, Mercer
Lewis was a guy who could have ended up going first overall, but I think the concerns over his swing length and the inferior competition caused him to slide. He's got plus power from the right side, and while there's a lot of swing-and-miss in his game, he makes a lot of hard contact to all parts of the field. I think this is one of the best picks of the draft so far. Well done, Seattle.
12. Boston Red Sox: Jason Groome, LHP, Barnegat HS (NJ)
The rich get richer. Groome was the top player on my board all year, and he's an absolute steal with this pick on paper. Both his fastball and curveball flash double-plus, and when he throws his change, its flashes above-average. There are non-baseball concerns here that caused him to fall, but nothing that should keep this guy from becoming at least a mid-rotation starter, with the upside of a top-of-the-rotation guy. What a great pick by an organization that seems to have a habit of doing this.
13. Tampa Bay Rays: Josh Lowe, 3B, Pope HS (Ga.)
Lowe was one of the few true two-way players in this class coming into the year, but he's going to start as a hitter in the Rays system, as he should. He's an excellent athlete, and there's plus power projection in his switch-hitting bat. He should be a quality third baseman, but I would give him a chance to play center because of his speed. He's far from a quick advance, but he could be a top-of-the-order hitter with pop if everything works out.
14. Cleveland Indians: Will Benson, OF, The Westminster Schools (Ga.)
I've been a huge fan of what Cleveland has done over the past few years. This…this is a little perplexing. He gets comped to Jason Heyward, but that's a lazy comp. He does show four above-average tools, but there's a ton of length in his swing, so the hit tool isn't one of them. They love raw power (see Bradley, Bobby and Frazier, Clint), but at this point, there were better prep bats on the board.
15. Minnesota Twins: Alex Kirilloff, OF, Plum HS (Penn.)
All I had heard attached to the Twins this year was pitching, so of course they go with the prep outfielder, because that's how life works. Kiriloff doesn't have a standout tool, but he has two above-average ones in his power and arm, and everything else projects average. He should be a solid—if unspectacular—regular in time, with my only concern being that the lack of speed means he likely ends up in the corner outfield.
16. Los Angeles Angels: Matt Thaiss, C, Virginia
Well, that's back-to-back college catchers taken by the Angels, but by different regimes. Thaiss has elite hand-eye coordination, and he draws walks while rarely striking out and showing a line-drive swing from the left side. He's not a great defender and his arm is below-average, but I'd give him a better chance of staying behind the plate than Collins. I expected the Angels to take a high-upside player here, and while Thaiss isn't a huge reach, it's still a system that is devoid of high-upside players on the mount or in the field.
17. Houston Astros: Forrest Whitley, RHP, Alamo Heights HS (TX)
The Astros have to be thrilled to see Whitley here, a player they scouted hard from their own neck of the woods. At 6'7" he gets downhill plane with a plus fastball, and he mixes in a plus curve and above-average change. He doesn't offer the prototypical projection you see from a prep right-hander, but he also doesn't have as much work to do as your typical high schooler. Good pick, KG.
18. New York Yankees: Blake Rutherford, OF, Chaminade Prep (Calif.)
I thought Rutherford was the best prep bat in the class—assuming you don't count Delvin Perez—and I think he's great value for the Yankees at this point. Both the hit and power tool project as above-average, and if you dream hard, maybe even plus. He'll have to move off center, but he'll be very good in right with a strong throwing arm. He's older than your typical prep prospect, but I don't care, he can hit, and that's what really matters.
19. New York Mets: Justin Dunn, RHP, Boston College
Dunn had a ton of helium heading into the year, so I'm really surprised he lasted this long. He has a ton of arm strength and touches 96 mph while sitting 92-94, and he'll show three average secondary pitches, with the curveball flashing plus. If you expect him to be a fast-track college arm, you're going to be disappointed, but putting him in a system that develops pitching as well as anyone makes him even more interesting to me.
20. Los Angeles Dodgers: Gavin Lux, SS, Indian Trails HS (WI)
This is a draft that has very little in terms of up-the-middle talent, and while the Dodgers passed on the best shortstop to grab Lux, I think he is pretty good value at this point. His run, speed, and glove all flash above average, and there's a chance for fringe-average power from the left side. This a high-floor, medium-ceiling player, which is a nice get for a system that has a ton of low-floor, high-ceiling players.
21. Toronto Blue Jays: T.J. Zeuch, RHP, Pittsburgh
Zeuch missed the first month of the season but came back strong and threw as well as any pitcher in the ACC. He gets excellent downhill plane with his 92-94 mph fastball, and he shows an above-average slider and average curveball. He needs to learn how to repeat his delivery, however, and the change is a well-below-average pitch. Like Dunn, he's not a fast-track arm, but there is a little more upside than your prototypical collegiate pitcher carries.
22. Pittsburgh Pirates: Will Craig, 3B, Wake Forest
Craig got announced as a pitcher, and that flummoxed me. Now that we know it's as a hitter, it makes a lot more sense. He's a right-handed hitter with above-average power and hit tools, and he's willing to draw his share of walks. He's almost assuredly going to have to move to first base because of the lack of speed, but the bat absolutely has a chance to play there. It just puts a lot more pressure on the offense.
23. St. Louis Cardinals: Delvin Perez, SS, International Baseball Academy (Puerto Rico)
Now this is fun. Perez is the third-ranked player on my board. He has as much upside as any player in this class—including Groome—and with his bat speed and frame, he can hit for power. The defense is even better, with a borderline plus-plus throwing arm, plus speed, and excellent hands. This is a huge risk, but to say this has a chance to be a steal is the understatement of this article. Fun.
24. San Diego Padres: Hudson Sanchez, SS, Carroll HS (TX)
Well, here's our first super-reach, and it's not surprising coming in the compensation round. Sanchez’s best tool is a strong throwing arm, and he has some power projection from the right side. He's a below-average athlete with a long swing, though, so both the hit and field grades are below average. I would expect a high-above-slot player coming next for the Padres.
25. San Diego Padres: Eric Lauer, LHP, Kent State
So, not a high-slot player, but a pretty good one. Every draft has the "safe" lefty, and that's what Lauer is. He locates four pitches for strikes, two of them being above average in the fastball and slider, and the change and curve are average. The upside is a fourth starter, but that might be the floor, too.
26. Chicago White Sox: Zack Burdi, RHP, Louisville
Zack Burdi throws really, really hard. On top of throwing really, really hard, he has a plus slider. On top of throwing really, really hard and having a plus slider, he has an above-average change. Oh, and he throws these pitches for strikes. It's only the wonky delivery that keeps him from being a starter, but this guy can move through a system very quickly.
27. Baltimore Orioles: Cody Sedlock, RHP, Illinois
Sedlock was rumored to go higher than this, and I do know that at least one team dropped Sedlock because of his high pitch counts this year. He boasts an above-average fastball/slider combination, and he'll show an average curve and change as well. Some think he's going to be a reliever, but I'd give him every chance to start, knowing that the bullpen is there if it doesn't work out.
28. Washington Nationals: Carter Kieboom, 3B, Walton HS (GA)
The Nationals are among my favorite drafting organizations, and this pick won't make me change my mind any time soon. The hit tool has a chance to be plus, and he should a quality defender at third with a strong throwing arm. He's not your typical masher at the hot corner, but there should be enough pop to let him be a regular at third base. The Nationals are good at this.
29. Washington Nationals: Dane Dunning, RHP, Florida
Dunning was maybe the fifth-most-talented pitcher at Florida this year, which speaks more to the Gators depth than the kind of pitcher Dunning is. The fastball is plus with good life, and if the change isn't a plus pitch, it's pretty darn close. The slider is concerning, but if it can be even average, he has a chance to be a solid back-end starter.
30. Texas Rangers: Cole Ragans, LHP, North Florida Christian HS (FL)
The Rangers love high-upside players, so they of course go with a high-floor left-hander. The draft is fun. Ragans has three solid-average pitches, and he throws all those pitches for strikes. Scouts rave about his feel for pitching, but if you're looking for the next huge upside Rangers arm, this isn't it. That doesn't make the pick a reach, but it is a curious selection.
31. New York Mets: Anthony Kay, LHP, Connecticut
If Kay were a few inches taller, he probably would have gone 5-10 picks higher. Both his fastball and change flash plus, and he pounds the strike zone with all three pitches. Because he's 5-foot-11 and because the slider is only fringe-average, there's a bit of risk here, but he and Dunn are both very nice additions to the Mets system.
32. Los Angeles Dodgers: Will Smith, C, Louisville
Getting jiggy with it. Na na na na na na… okay, that's out of my system. Smith is one of the best defenders in this class, and both his arm and receiving get high marks from scouts. He's also a quality athlete, so if for some reason he can't catch, he might be able to play the outfield. The bat is well behind, however, and expecting average or even 45-grade hit and power tools might be expecting too much.
33. St. Louis Cardinals: Dylan Carlson, OF/1B, Elk Grove HS (Calif.)
Carlson didn't make my top 125, so, you shouldn't be surprised to hear I think he's a pretty big reach at 33. He's a switch-hitter with some power, but he's probably going to have to play at first base with a questionable hit tool. I don't have a ton more information than that, but based on what I've heard from scouts, this has to be a cash-saving pick. Interesting.
34. St. Louis Cardinals: Dakota Hudson, RHP, Mississippi State
And then they go and do something like this, and totally redeem themselves! Hudson was one of the best pitchers in the SEC, and he flashes a plus-plus cutter/slider and fastball, while also showing two average secondary pitches. There are big concerns about the delivery, but I think he repeats it well enough to start, and we've seen guys with more effort end up starters. This is a good value play at 34 by St. Louis.
35. Cincinnati Reds: Taylor Trammell, OF, Mount Paran Christian HS (Ga.)
41. Pittsburgh Pirates: Nick Lodolo, LHP, Damien HS (Calif.)
42. Philadelphia Phillies: Kevin Gowdy, RHP, Santa Barbara HS (Calif.)
44. Atlanta Braves: Kyle Muller, LHP, Jesuit Prep (Tex.)
Muller is massive, and he uses his size to get excellent downhill plane of a plus fastball. He also shows an above-average curve, and occasionally will flash an average change. The Braves are loading up on pitching, and taking advantage of these (asinine) draft-allocation rules.
45. Colorado Rockies: Ben Bowden, LHP, Vanderbilt
Looking for a left-hander who could move quickly out of the bullpen? Bowden is that guy. He gives left-handers fits with his plus fastball, and his slider has enough tilt to give them the feel-bads as well. You could try to start him. but I'd fast-track the arm and put him in the bullpen.
46. Milwaukee Brewers: Lucas Erceg, 3B, Menlo College (Calif.)
The Brewers were in love with Erceg, and have to be thrilled to get him here at 46. He's one of the few corner infielders with plus power from the left side, and he also has a strong arm with enough athleticism to stick at third base. Keep in mind that he also performed well at Cal before transferring, so scouts have a good idea of how he'll do against (relatively) high competition.
47. Oakland Athletics: Logan Shore, RHP, Florida
Shore was actually the Friday starter in Florida, and no, that does not mean he's more talented than Puk. He has two above-average pitches in his fastball and change, and while the slider is lacking that level, he does locate it for strikes. Scouts rave about his ability to compete on the mound.
48. San Diego Padres: Buddy Reed, OF, Florida
Back-to-back Gators. That program is outstanding. Reed is really similar to Taylor Trammell with the difference being that he has a plus throwing arm in center, and that he doesn't offer Trammell's offensive upside. So, not that similar actually. He's a really good defender who can steal bases, but I have real doubts if the bat will ever be good enough to play everyday.
49. Chicago White Sox: Alec Hansen, RHP, Oklahoma
At the beginning of the year, this was your favorite to be the no. 1 pick. Then he flat out forgot how to throw strikes. He can sling it, and when he's at his best, his slider is an out pitch. He also has no clue where these pitches are going, and there are serious concerns about his health going forward. At this point in the draft, it's worth the risk.
50. Seattle Mariners: Joe Rizzo, 3B, Oakton HS (VA)
I've said bat-first prospect plenty of times, but I'm not sure I've ever meant it until I saw Rizzo. He can flat out rake, and despite his diminutive side, he's got some power to all parts of the field. I have absolutely no idea where he's going to play, but I'd give him a chance to play second base and move him to third if it can't work. The bat is what's going to carry him, though.
51. Boston Red Sox: CJ Chatham, SS, Florida Atlantic
If you're wondering what the opposite of Joe Rizzo is, it's Chatham. The value is with the glove–be it at shortstop or second base–and his above-average arm and instincts should allow him to stay up the middle. His hit and power are both below average, but they only need to be adequate because of his defense.
52. Arizona Diamondbacks: Andy Yerzy, C, York Mills Institute (Canada)
The reach of the day. Yerzy has plus power, but no other tool grades average, and no scouts I spoke with believe he's gonna be a catcher. I'm sure it's a signability thing, but, it's not good value.
53. Tampa Bay Rays: Ryan Boldt, OF, Nebraska
You may remember Boldt from a few years ago, when he was a first-round prospect before a devastating knee injury. He has three above-average tools in his hit, run, and glove respectively, but the power never came, so he's going to have to get on base (a lot) to be an every day guy.
54. Baltimore Orioles: Keegan Akin, LHP, Western Michigan
Akin was sensational in the MAC this year, as our own Grant Jones can attest to. The worries here are that he has less-than-ideal size, and he has a lot of inconsistency with his slider. He has excellent arm strength, however, and he can throw all three pitches for strikes, giving him at least a chance to start.
55. Cleveland: Nolan Jones, 3B, Holy Ghost Prep HS (PA)
I mentioned earlier when Cleveland took Benson that there were better prep bats on the board. This was one of them. Jones has a plus hit tool potentially from the left side, and there's a chance for a tick-above-average power as well. He's going to be a quality third baseman defensively, too, so there's a lot to like about this pick. Well done, Cleveland.
56. Minnesota Twins: Ben Rortvedt, C, Verona HS (WI)
In addition to having one of the most difficult names to spell in this class, Rortvedt has as much upside as any catcher in this class. There's above-average power in his left-handed bat, and unlike some of the other backstops taken, he has a great chance of staying behind the plate. This is not a quick advance, but if you’re patient, he could be an above-average regular.
57. Toronto Blue Jays: J.B. Woodman, OF, Ole Miss
This is your high-floor college outfielder, and while I think this is about a round too early, it's at least defensible. Both the hit and power tool are fringe-average, but he's an above-average runner and his strong arm allows him to play all three outfield positions.
58. Washington Nationals: Sheldon Neuse, 3B, University of Oklahoma.
Neuse is one of the better two-way players in college baseball this year, but his future is in the field and not on the mound. Obviously he has a strong arm, but every other tool is average, and if he were playing a premium position like shortstop, that'd play very well. As a third baseman it's a little concerning, but he could be a very nice utility infielder, with the mound a nice fallback if he can't hit.
59. San Francisco Giants: Bryan Reynolds, CF, Vanderbilt
I am stunned Reynolds is still here, and he's an outstanding pick by the Giants here in the second round. Every tool has a chance to be above average minus the arm, and since he can play center field, that doesn't matter. Assuming he's signable here, this is an outstanding value play for the San Francisco Giants. Also they're gonna win the World Series because it's an even year.
60. Los Angeles Angels: Brandon Marsh, OF, Buford HS (GA)
Marsh is an outstanding athlete, but he has a long way to go before he's even close to contributing. That doesn't mean I don't like the pick. He has three plus tools in his run, speed, and glove, and there's a chance for above-average power from the left side. For a system that is devoid of offensive upside, Marsh offers plenty of it.
61. Houston Astros: Ronnie Dawson, OF, Ohio State
Dawson’s best tool is his power, as he has plenty of it as a left-handed hitter with big-time strength. The hit tool projects below average, however, and there are serious concerns about his glove. Still, the power is impressive, and that gives him a chance to be a regular somewhere.
62. New York Yankees: Nick Solak, 2B, Louisville
There just aren't many college bats who can play up the middle, and Solak is fortunate to be that in this type of draft class. The hit tool is above average—as is his speed—and even with a complete lack of power and below-average arm strength, he has a chance to hit at the top of a lineup and play competent defense at second. You can do worse at this point.
63. Texas Rangers: Alex Speas, RHP, McEachern HS (GA)
The Touki Toussaint comp is easy/lazy, but it's pretty accurate here. He will show a plus-plus fastball and a plus curveball, and he often has no clue where these pitches are going. There's a chance he's a reliever long term, but the upside here is tremendous—if he can throw enough strikes to reach it.
64. New York Mets: Peter Alonso, 1B, Florida
This may not surprise you, but Florida has a good baseball program. Alonso has above-average power from the right side, and he's shown a better job of working counts. He's not a great defender and he'll have to be a first baseman, but again, right-handed power is rare and valuable.
65. Los Angeles Dodgers: MItchell White, RHP, Santa Clara
White is the definition of a late-riser, and I say this because I had never heard of him until a couple of weeks ago. He's a projectable right-hander who has touched 96 mph, and he's shown the ability to throw strikes with all three pitches. None of the scouts I spoke with had higher than a third-round grade on him, but clearly the Dodgers saw enough to take a chance on him with pick 65. A reach, but an intriguing one.
66. Toronto Blue Jays: Bo Bichette, SS, Lakewood HS (FL)
This is my guy. Bichette has the obvious family bloodlines (yes, they're related), and he makes hard contact on anything you can throw to any part of the plate. The swing is kind of goofy, but he makes it work. He's definitely not a shortstop, however, so I'm going to have to be right about the hit tool if he ends up at third or second. I hope I'm right. He's a lot of fun.
67. Kansas City Royals: A.J. Puckett, RHP, Pepperdine
The Puckett story is a fascinating one (I wholeheartedly recommend Googling him after you read this) and it's awesome to see him recover from his trials and tribulations. Both the fastball and change are above average, and he throws strikes with all three pitches. The curveball needs a lot of work, but if it can be even average, he's pitching in a rotation.
68. Pittsburgh Pirates: Travis MacGregor, RHP, East Lake HS (FL)
MacGregor is a pretty significant reach on my board, not coming close to my top 125 and rarely coming up in my conversations with area guys. There's projection in his frame, and both the change and curveball flash average. Not exactly inspiring this high, but hey, the Pirates seem to know what they're doing. How's that for an appeal to authority?
69. Baltimore Orioles: Matthias Dietz, RHP, Logan CC (IL)
This is a nice pick. Sorry, had to be done. He has touched 98 mph with his fastball, and he'll complement his borderline plus-plus fastball with a solid-average slider. He's probably a reliever, but also probably a pretty good one.
70. St. Louis Cardinals: Connor Jones, RHP, Virginia
Jones at one point was considered a top-10 possibility, but his stuff really backed up on him in 2016. He generates plenty of groundballs with a plus fastball/sinker, and the slider is close to a 55 pitch as well. He just doesn't miss enough bats to project as more than a back-end starter, and his stock certainly slipped because of the lack of track record of UVA pitchers. If he shows the stuff he did in 2015, he has a chance to be a steal. Either way, he's fine value at the end of the second round.
71. San Diego Padres: Reggie Lawson, RHP, Victor Valley HS (CA)
If you see Lawson on the right day, you'd swear you're seeing one of the best pitchers in the class. He's shown two 60 pitches in his fastball and curve, and when he's clicking, he's throwing both pitches for strikes. We haven't seen that version very often, but hey, he's a prep pitcher—consistency is never going to be their calling card. It's a high-ceiling, low-floor player, but it's worth the risk with a literal lottery pick.
72. Cleveland: Logan Ice, C, Oregon State University
Ice has one of the coolest names (I'm so sorry) in the class and he has a chance to be a competent backstop in a relatively short time. He's a switch-hitter with an average hit tool from both sides of the plate, but it's his above-average glove and solid-average arm that will get him to the big leagues. He's probably not a starter, but he's a real nice bench bat who could move quickly.
73. Minnesota Twins: Jose Miranda, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
Miranda is a bat-first shortstop, a player who shows good feel for hitting and some power projection from the right side. He has a strong throwing arm, which is good, because his most likely landing spot is third base. If he can stick at shortstop, he'll be a nice value play. If he can't, the value drops, but he could be an everyday guy in time.
74. Minnesota Twins: Akil Baddoo, OF, Salem HS (GA)
Once again, Georgia was loaded. Baddoo is an excellent athlete with plus speed, and he's shown some power potential from the left side with good bat speed. Consistency isn't his friend and the swing has to be cleaned up, but there's a lot of upside in his left-handed bat.
75. Milwaukee Brewers: Mario Feliciano, C, Carlos Beltran Academy (PR)
This was a down draft for many areas, but not Puerto Rico. Feliciano has a chance to hit for average and power with good athleticism, and his arm is good enough to stay behind the plate. He has a long way to go defensively, so if Milwaukee loves the bat you might be better off moving him to the outfield.
76. Atlanta Braves: Brett Cumberland, C, California
Last year, the Braves took a catcher in Lucas Herbert with a questionable bat and plus defense. This year, they get the opposite in Cumberland. He can really swing the bat, but I haven't spoken with anyone who thinks he's a catcher long term. The bat might play at first, but boy, oh boy, does the value drop if he's not behind the plate.
77. Tampa Bay Rays: Jake Fraley, OF, LSU
Fraley looks like a fourth outfielder to me, but a pretty good one. He's a plus runner who should be able to handle all three outfield positions, and he's shown the ability to get on base. There's very little power potential here and the hit tool is closer to fringe-average than above, so I wouldn't expect a regular. You can do worse than a fourth outfielder with the last pick on day one, though. I promise you, you can.
Thank you for reading
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p.s. How'd you like Manuel going out of his way on the broadcast to disparage Ray's feel and instincts on defense? (is it trolling if it's true?) ;)