1. Pirates - Gerrit Cole - RHP - UCLA
Cole was selected 28th overall by the Yankees out of high school three years ago, but he opted to go to UCLA rather than sign. Armed with a high-90s fastball, he was widely regarded as the top upside pick in the draft. He doesn't have great command and neither his slider nor changeup is an elite pitch at the moment, but with time, he could emerge as a true ace for the Pirates.
2. Mariners - Danny Hultzen - LHP - Virginia
A surprise already. The Mariners had long been thought to be the destination for the top college hitter, Anthony Rendon. However, concerns about Rendon's shoulder may have soured the team on him. Hultzen has a low-90s fastball, a plus changeup and a slider. He's expected to move quickly after going 11-3 with a 1.57 ERA and a 148/17 K/BB ratio in 103 1/3 innings for Virginia this season.
3. Diamondbacks - Trevor Bauer - RHP - UCLA
Bauer, who did his best to copy Tim Lincecum's delivery and his college results, struck out a whopping 203 batters while going 13-2 with a 1.25 ERA for UCLA this season. He doesn't have Gerrit Cole's fastball, but he works at 92-95 mph and his curve is an excellent second pitch. He should move quickly and potentially contribute to the Diamondbacks' cause next year.
4. Orioles - Dylan Bundy - RHP - HS
Bundy, whose older brother was an eighth-round pick of the Orioles three years ago, was viewed by most as the top high school pitcher in the draft. He may not have ideal size at 6'1", but he's incredibly strong and he throws in the mid-90s consistently. He also has a good curve and slider for a high school product. The Orioles will have to try to sign him away from a University of Texas scholarship.
5. Royals - Bubba Starling - OF - HS
The Royals were believed to prefer a college pitcher, but with Cole, Bundy and Hultzen all gone, it was tough for them to pass on the local outfielder with the enormous ceiling. Starling figures to be a tough sign; he's also a highly regarded running quarterback already signed to Nebraska. With tremendous speed and power potential, he could be a superstar if everything clicks.
6. Nationals - Anthony Rendon - 3B - Rice
Rendon didn't slip too far after all. There are concerns that he might need shoulder surgery and he's battled ankle injuries, but he had the most polished bat in the draft. He's an interesting fit with the Nationals, who already have Ryan Zimmerman at third. It's possible he'll move to second. Rendon hit .327/.520/.523 for Rice this year. His power production was down, but the hope is that he'll be a 20- or 25-homer per year guy down the line.
7. Diamondbacks - Archie Bradley - RHP - HS
Bradley is a quarterback prospect headed to Oklahoma, so it's a bit of an interesting choice for the Diamondbacks here. Since this the compensation pick for them not signing Barrett Loux last year, they won't get another selection next year if they fail to get Bradley signed. On talent, Bradley deserved to go somewhere in this neighborhood. He has a great build at 6'4", 225 pounds, and he throws 93-96 mph with a strong curve.
8. Indians - Francisco Lindor - SS - HS
There was speculation that Lindor might go to the Mariners, but it's Cleveland instead. The 17-year-old is a legitimate shortstop with good speed. Whether he'll develop much in the way of power remains to be seen. The Indians would likely be happy if he just turns out to be a nice .280-batting, top-of-the-order hitter. Don't expect to see him in the majors for five years or so.
9. Cubs - Javier Baez - SS/3B - HS
It's hard not to wonder if the Cubs were disappointed to see Lindor go one pick earlier. Baez may have at least as much upside, but he's more of a project with his subpar plate discipline. He should have the power to play third if he's never able to push Starlin Castro off shortstop.
10. Padres - Cory Spangenberg - 2B - Indian River State
Spangenberger can put his bat on just about anything, and he should be good for plenty of singles and doubles as he climbs through the San Diego system. His power is something of a question mark, and it's doubtful he'll be strong enough to hit many balls out of Petco. The bigger issue is his lack of a position. The Padres will try him at either second or third, but he might end up in an outfield corner.
11. Astros - George Springer - OF - Connecticut
Springer was expected to go right around here after hitting .350/.458/.628 with 12 homers for the Huskies this season, but it's something of a surprise to see him land with Houston. While he'll play center initially, he may need to move to an outfield corner in time. He has a lot of power potential, but since he does swing and miss quite a bit, he may struggle to hit for average in the majors.
12. Brewers - Taylor Jungmann - RHP - Texas
Jungmann was a rock-solid pitcher for the Longhorns, going 13-1 with a 1.40 ERA this season, and one of the most polished arms in the draft. His low-90s fastball, curve and changeup all project as major league pitches. He may not be the most exciting selection, but he's a good value here, and he might be a candidate to join the Milwaukee rotation before the end of next year.
13. Mets - Brandon Nimmo - OF - HS
Some really like Nimmo's potential. He's an especially raw talent since his high school in Wyoming didn't have a baseball team, but his swing promises lots of power and he has plenty of athletic ability. The Mets could have played it safer, but they've opted to swing for the fences instead.
14. Marlins - Jose Fernandez - RHP - HS
This wasn't a very tough call: the Marlins love high school pitching and Fernandez, a Cuban defector, was right in their backyard in Florida. Fernandez has hit 98 mph on the radar gun, and his slider could be a plus pitch in time. His changeup needs work, but he was pretty much a lock to go in the middle of the first round.
15. Brewers - Jed Bradley - LHP - Georgia Tech
Picking 12th and 15th, the Brewers come away with two of the best college pitchers available. Bradley has four pitches, including a low-90s fastball. At 6'4", 225 pounds, he also has the size that teams like. He was something of a disappointment for Georgia Tech this year, going 7-3 with a 3.49 ERA. Still, he's a very good value here.
16. Dodgers - Chris Reed - LHP - Stanford
Reed has served as Stanford's closer this season but will get a chance to start in the Dodgers organization. He's a solid left-hander with three good pitches, but it's fairly clear the Dodgers opted for signability here as opposed to raw talent. Reed was not projected to go in the first round by many draft services.
17. Angels - C.J. Cron - 1B - Utah
Cron also played some catcher for the Utes, but the Angels are expected to keep him at first base. He won Player of the Year honors in the Mountain West twice and posted an .803 slugging percentage this season in 198 at-bats. The 21-year-old has serious offensive upside.
18. A's - Sonny Gray - RHP - Vanderbilt
Gray is a bit small at 5'11", but he has a very good one-two punch in his low-90s fastball and slider, and if his changeup comes, he could be a No. 2 starter someday. He's not as polished as most of the college pitchers taken ahead of him.
19. Red Sox - Matt Barnes - RHP - Connecticut
Barnes, the second UConn player to go in the first round, throws 91-94 mph and has an excellent slider. He has a long way to go before he'll be ready to help as a starter, but some think he could come quick as a reliever. Maybe he'll go the Justin Masterson route. Swihart is a switch-hitter with a very projectable bat. He's a tough sign and he may not stay behind the plate, but he could be a middle-of-the-order hitter someday.
20. Rockies - Tyler Anderson - LHP - Oregon
Anderson doesn't have dominating stuff, but he's a smart left-hander with great control and a highly developed changeup. The 21-year-old doesn't have the highest ceiling, but he has the tools to become a reliable member of the Colorado rotation and could move quickly.
21. Blue Jays - Tyler Beede - RHP - HS
Beede has mature mechanics and throws three quality pitches: a low-90s fastball with good life, a hard-breaking slurve and a changeup. The 20-year-old right-hander is committed to Vanderbilt, so the Blue Jays will have to flash some dollar signs to get a deal struck.
22. Cardinals - Kolten Wong - 2B - Hawaii
Wong doesn't have great size, but his plate approach is fantastic and he is a plus runner. The Cardinals will hope that he eventually turns into a reliable leadoff hitter, something they've needed for years. He posted a remarkable .429 on-base percentage this season as a college junior.
23. Nationals - Alex Meyer - RHP - Kentucky
The lanky 21-year-old posted a 2.94 ERA and struck out 110 batters in 101 innings this season for Kentucky. Meyer is still quite raw, but he throws a high-90s fastball and has the stuff and build of a potential ace. Another nice selection for the Nats.
24. Rays - Taylor Guerrieri - RHP - HS
Most thought Guerrieri would go higher. A high school righty with a mid-90s fastball and a plus curve, he possesses an awful lot of potential. Mahtook is a line-drive hitter with very good doubles ability. It's iffy whether he'll stay in center. If he can, he might be a very good regular someday. He wouldn't project quite so well in left. Hager looks like a reach, but we wouldn't bet against the Rays there. They are a bit shallow in the middle infield, and it wouldn't be surprising to see them add another shortstop early with all of their picks.
25. Padres - Joe Ross - RHP - HS
The younger brother of A's pitcher Tyson Ross, Joe has a great build and a fastball that has been clocked at 95 MPH. He also throws a curve and changeup, though both pitches do need some work. The 18-year-old is committed to UCLA and could decide to become a Bruin if the Padres don't pay up. If he does sign, he'll have the spacious confines PETCO Park to look forward to.
26. Red Sox - Blake Swihart - C - HS
Swihart has great arm strength, but the Red Sox could quickly decide to move him away from catcher to save his legs. The 19-year-old swings well from both sides of the plate and could develop 20-homer potential. He's committed to Texas, so the Red Sox will have to lure him away from college life.
27. Reds - Robert Stephenson - RHP - HS
With most of the high-profile college pitchers already selected, the Reds went with a young-right hander with some serious upside. Best known for throwing back-to-back no-hitters this season, Stephenson sits in the low-to-mid 90s with his heater and throws a promising curveball. Standing at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, there's still some projection left.
28. Braves - Sean Gilmartin - LHP - Florida State
The Braves don't go the college route in the first round very often, but they were known to be on the lookout for a left-hander. While Gilmartin doesn't have the ceiling of current Braves' left-hander Mike Minor, he is similarly known for his plus-changeup.
29. Giants - Joe Panik - SS - St. John's
It's bit of a reach, as there were players with higher upside (Michael Levi) left on the board at the time, but the Giants decided to play it safe and draft for slot. Panik, a left-handed hitter, may eventually have to move to second base due to his arm, but his pitch recognition and contact ability gives him the chance to be a No. 2 hitter.
30. Twins - Levi Michael - SS - UNC
If Michael was a lock to stay at shortstop, he would have gone in the top 15. Many, though, believe he's destined to end up at second base. He has a nice all-around bat and pretty good speed. He's also about as close to the majors as any college position player in the draft.
31. Rays - Mikie Mahtook - OF - LSU
Quite a nice get for the Rays, as Mahtook fell a bit from early projections. The 21-year-old led the Southeastern Conference this season in stolen bases, walks and slugging percentage. The big question is whether he'll be able to stick in center field. If he does, he has the chance to be a solid regular.
32. Rays - Jake Hager - SS - HS
Hager would be a reach under normal circumstances, but the Rays have so many picks that they can afford to gamble on someone who may take a few years to develop. While the 6-foot-1 shortstop has a commitment with Arizona State, it's very likely he'll be swayed if he is paid first-round money.
33. Rangers - Kevin Matthews - LHP - HS
Matthews is a bit undersized at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, but he still manages to sit in the low-90s with his heater. However, with durability concerns, it's very likely he ends up in the bullpen in the long-term. The young southpaw is currently committed to the University of Virginia, though the Rangers don't expect to have trouble signing him.
Compensation Round A
34. Nationals - Brian Goodwin - OF - Miami Dade CC South
35. Blue Jays - Jacob Anderson - OF - HS
36. Red Sox - Henry Owens - LHP - HS
37. Rangers - Zach Cone - OF - Georgia
38. Rays - Brandon Martin - SS - HS
39. Phillies - Larry Greene - OF - HS
40. Red Sox - Jackie Bradley - OF - South Carolina
41. Bay Rays - Tyler Goeddel - 3B - HS
42. Bay Rays - Jeff Ames - RHP - Lower Columbia College
Compensation Round A
43. Diamondbacks - Andrew Chafin - LHP - Kent State
44. Mets - Michael Fulmer - RHP - HS
45. Rockies - Trevor Story - SS - HS
46. Blue Jays - Joe Musgrove - RHP - HS
47. White Sox - Keenyn Walker - OF - Central Arizona College
48. Padres - Michael Kelly - RHP - HS
49. Giants - Kyle Crick - RHP - HS
50. Twins - Travis Harrison - 3B - HS
51. Yankees - Dante Bichette, JR. - 3B - HS
Compensation Round A
52. Rays - Blake Snell - LHP - HS
53. Blue Jays - Dwight Smith - OF - HS
54. Padres - Brett Austin - C - HS
55. Twins - Hudson Boyd - RHP - HS
56. Rays - Kes Carter - OF - Western Kentucky
57. Blue Jays - Kevin Comer - RHP - HS
58. Padres - Jace Peterson - SS - McNeese Stats
59. Rays - Grayson Garvin - LHP - Vanderbilt
60. Rays - James Harris - OF - HS
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