The dust is settling on the MLB Draft one thing is clear, the first round didn’t go like anyone thought it would. So, it was actually a pretty standard draft. It’ll be years before we know who truly won and lost the draft, but on draft day instant reactions are unavoidable. Even a few days later, those instant reactions can change.
During the draft, the Prospects Live team went to work to bring you the highest quality coverage possible. Ralph, Eddy, and Matt hosted an MLB Draft stream with many fantastic guests for what was an entertaining option for coverage. During the first round, we asked the fans what they thought in a series of polls following each pick. Let’s see how those hold up.
And be sure to check out Ralph Lifshitz’s in depth Draft Grades analysis.
Spencer Torkelson, Tigers
Trevor’s Take: In the moment, the 1.1 selection from Arizona State was not voted in as the Tigers top prospect. I think this actually holds up. While Tork is a fantastic talent and Tiger fans should be extremely excited, it’s hard to top Matt Manning and Casey Mize atop the Tigers farm system.
Heston Kjerstad, Orioles
Trevor’s Take: This was the first big surprise of the draft. The answer seemed pretty straight forward, but as the second overall pick the question still had to be asked. Still, it rings true. Kjerstad isn’t going to be topping Adley Rutschman.
Max Meyer, Marlins
Trevor’s Take: The survey says! Meyer is the new Marlins top prospect. This is the first one I don’t agree with. Between Sixto Sanchez and even potentially Jazz Chisholm, I have to believe Meyer will slot in around the third overall prospect in the Miami farm.
Asa Lacy, Royals
Trevor’s Take: With the Royals already being flush with talent in the pitching department, they decided to take another one. Between Daniel Lynch, Brady Singer, and Jackson Kowar there’s a lot of high quality pitching. Lacy might top them all, but as the voters noted he doesn’t quite top last years first rounder Bobby Witt Jr.
Austin Martin, Blue Jays
Trevor’s Take: Martin is a very good player, in fact he was thought to be a fairly clear choice for Baltimore at second overall. It was close, but Martin was voted as Toronto’s new top prospect. Soon, he will be…but it’s very hard to top Nate Pearson and I don’t think Martin is the one to do that.
Emerson Hancock, Mariners
Trevor’s Take: This was a clear no to Hancock topping Jared Kelenic in the Mariners farm system. I love this system fit, but I agree that he isn’t the top prospect.
Nick Gonzales, Pirates
Trevor’s Take: This is a pretty convincing yes vote for Gonzales over Oneil Cruz. I disagree. To me, Cruz is still cemented at #1, and I think there’s an argument to be made that that Mitch Keller is #2. Though I still lean Gonzales slotted in behind Cruz.
Robert Hassell III, Padres
Trevor’s Take: No one was dethroning MacKenzie Gore, but the number two slot might be open. I agree Hassell isn’t that guy. To me Patino is still in the second spot, and Hassell doesn’t even appear for me until number 5 behind Taylor Trammell and CJ Abrams.
Zac Veen, Rockies
Trevor’s Take: I think fatigue is setting in a bit with Brendan Rodgers, but even so he’s only a handful of at bats away from exceeding rookie limits. This is a 1A and 1B situation, but 1A is still Rodgers for me.
Reid Detmers, Angels
Trevor’s Take: Jo Adell is one of the top prospects in baseball and he won’t be moved. However, maybe Brandon Marsh could be. The popular vote says not and Detmers is third in the system. I tend to like Detmers a bit more than most, and I disagree here too. I think there’s a real case to be made he’s second in the system.
Garrett Crochet, White Sox
Trevor’s Take: Instead of figuring out where Crochet lands in the system, the question was asked if fans liked the pick. I’m in the minority here, I don’t love it. This high in the draft, I just don’t love the idea of taking a guy who really seems like a reliever. A really good reliever, but still a reliever.
Austin Hendrick, Reds
Trevor’s Take: Hendrick’s raw power and the cereal box that is Great American Ballpark are a fun match. Still, I agree with this poll. He’s not the top dog on the Cincinnati farm.
Patrick Bailey, Giants
Trevor’s Take: This is an interesting question simply because Joey Bart exists. One of them will eventually have to not be a catcher if they are both going to be in the same lineup. So this question is, which one sticks? I think Bart.
Justin Foscue, Rangers
Trevor’s Take: This was one of the surprises for me. If Foscue was a first rounder, I figured it would be much closer to the end of the round. Because of that, I’m in the camp of not loving this pick.
Mick Abel, Phillies
Trevor’s Take: This was the first pick in awhile that had a legitimate shot to take over the top spot in the organization. Spencer Howard and Alec Bohm are solid, but so is Abel. In the end, I agree with the ‘no’ vote. Howard is still the best prospect in the system.
Ed Howard, Cubs
Trevor’s Take: For a second when he was drafted, I thought Howard had a shot at the top spot. Then I remembered Miguel Amaya existed. I agree with this one, he’s not the best prospect in the organization.
Nick Yorke, Red Sox
Trevor’s Take: Ah, yes, the open thread. The responses were a mixture of not happy, and hopeful that Chaim Boom had a plan. I don’t hate this pick as much as I originally did. Yorke has solid offensive upside, but that still doesn’t mean I think he warranted being selected here.
Bryce Jarvis, Diamondbacks
Trevor’s Take: Jarvis was on the rise in the days leading up to the draft. For him to be top 3 he would have to beat out Kristian Robinson, Corbin Carroll, or Alek Thomas. The vote was no, but I think he could be at 3. There’s at least an argument to be made.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, Mets
Trevor’s Take: A no vote here makes sense, Ronny Mauricio is a solid prospect. I think a better question might have been can PCA fit top 3, and there is more of a conversation to be had.
Garrett Mitchell, Brewers
Trevor’s Take: This one was a gimme, Milwaukee’s farm system isn’t the best. I like Brice Turang a lot, but he’s no Mitchell. The Brewers did a good job taking a guy who fell to them and they got a top talent from the draft.
Jordan Walker, Cardinals
Trevor’s Take: Cardinal fans liked the pick that brought in a prep bat with big power. This draft turned out well, but at the time Walker was picked I didn’t like it. Usually St. Louis takes the player that falls to them, but this was a reach. So I wasn’t a fan at the time, but it did turn out really well.
Cade Cavalli, Nationals
Trevor’s Take: Barring something crazy, no one was going to top Carter Kieboom. The question is, did the Nationals choose right? They did, for sure. I thought he was top 15 in terms of talent, so getting him at 22 could be a really nice bargain for the Nationals.
Carson Tucker, Indians
Trevor’s Take: Tucker is the brother of the Pirates’ Cole Tucker, and he was a pretty surprising selection for the Indians. The system fit is actually pretty good though. For most other teams I wouldn’t love the pick, but the Indians seem like a good landing spot.
Nick Bitsko, Rays
Trevor’s Take: I had Bitsko as the top prep arm in the class, so anyone who took him would’ve been good with me. The Rays? Even better. Their farm system is so good, Bitsko may not even make the top 5. Personally, I have him right at 5.
Jared Shuster, Braves
Trevor’s Take: There were other options that could’ve been better, but Shuster wasn’t bad. A lefty who can hit upper 90’s with the fastball. I don’t love the pick for the Braves.
Tyler Soderstrom, Athletics
Trevor’s Take: Defensively speaking, there’s a chance Soderstrom gets moved off the catcher position. He needs time behind the plate to develop the glove, and I’m not sure he’ll get there either. He’ll get every chance to stay behind the dish. The bat will play, but likely not as a catcher.
Aaron Sabato, Twins
Trevor’s Take: Match up a player and a team better, I dare you. The Twins love these big power types, and Sabato has as much as anyone in this class, if not more. So A isn’t being to generous, just because the fit seems pretty darn good.
Austin Wells, Yankees
Trevor’s Take: This is one of these picks that I had no strong feelings about either way when it happened. A few days removed, nothings changed. I'd lean that it was good pick simply because the Yankees made it and history says that’s a good thing.
Bobby Miller, Dodgers
Trevor’s Take: Of any of the teams that could have taken Miller, the Dodgers were the best fit. He may not be a top 5 prospect for the organization, but he’s in a good spot to succeed with his new organization.