There might not be as much pomp in the MLB draft compared to the other major professional sports in the United States, but on Thursday night, dreams came true for a number of young baseball players who heard their names called for the next step of their careers.
After 34 selections in the first round, here is a look at the results and my grades for each team:
Philadelphia Phillies: A
There were plenty of options for the Philadelphia Phillies at No. 1. They could have gone with pitcher A.J. Puk, who many believed would have been the top pick had it not been for his underwhelming season at Florida.
Instead, they went with Mickey Moniak, a high schooler who can flat-out hit. He makes consistent, hard contact and can hit to all fields, which is a mature trait for such a young prospect.
He also impressed MLB personalities such as ESPN’s Buster Olney when speaking with the media:
For a Phillies team that is rebuilding with the likes of Odubel Herrera and Maikel Franco, Moniak is a bat who can one day be inserted toward the top of the lineup.
Given that they are in a division with strong pitching teams such as the New York Mets and Washington Nationals, the Phillies will take all the help they can get.
Milwaukee Brewers: A
It may be unfair to say a player fell into a team’s lap at No. 5, but that’s what happened with the Milwaukee Brewers and Corey Ray.
The outfielder can hit and do so with power. His blazing speed also makes him a threat on the basepaths and a solid defender.
ESPN’s Keith Law broke down his season at Louisville this year:
Ray is the kind of player who can turn a game on its head with his tools, and if his development goes according to plan, he could be a No. 3 hitter in Milwaukee’s lineup for years to come.
Cincinnati Reds: A-
It has nothing to do with his playing ability, but when I see Cincinnati Reds first-round pick Nick Senzel, I see Mike Trout. I’m not saying he will develop into a Trout-like player, but he should be a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the Reds lineup some day.
Senzel has a great eye at the plate and finds ways to make contact, which often can’t be taught. After batting .364 in the Cape Cod League, in which he won MVP honors, he batted .352 in his junior year at Tennessee.
If he’s able to develop more power while maintaining his ability to put the ball in play, the Reds are going to have their best third baseman since, dare I say it, Pete Rose.
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