Day One Draft Reactions

With day two of the MLB amateur draft now in the books, let’s run through some reactions from around the game to the first day’s action …

• Kiley McDaniel of Scout.com breaks down the day one action, writing that he liked the hauls brought in by the Blue Jays, Dodgers, and Royals. He also discussed the Pirates’ early-pick strategy. The team made a surprise choice of shortstop Cole Tucker with the 24th overall pick, but McDaniel explains that the team’s later picks give a fuller picture, as potential under-slot signings of Tucker and college outfielder Connor Joe (#39) could allow the team to ink prep righty Mitch Keller (#64).
• In his own wrap-up of the draft’s first day (Insider link), ESPN.com’s Keith Law says that he likes the Indians’ work in landing Brad Zimmer, the already-inked Justus Sheffield, and Mike Papi. He also credits the Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, and Red Sox with strong choices. You’ll want to read the full piece for all the details, including Law’s take on teams that may have whiffed.
• Nick Faleris of Baseball Prospectus also takes a turn at explaining all of the first-round choices (1 through 17; 18 through 34). He wonders whether the Mariners will need to go above-slot to sign sixth overall pick Alex Jackson, a high-schooler committed to Oregon. As for best values, Faleris says that one candidate is high-school righty Touki Toussaint, who went 16th to the Diamondbacks.
• Assessing things from the industry perspective, ESPN.com’s Jim Bowden (Insider link) says that many are high on the Twins’ choice of shortstop Nick Gordon — son of Tom and brother of Dee — at the fifth slot. While the Brewers seem to value 12th overall choice Kodi Medeiros higher than most, leading to some questions, Bowden says that the club may have scored by adding shortstop Jacob Gatewood at 41st overall.
• A run on college seniors has led to a new record, tweets Clint Longenecker of Baseball America. According to his tally, 70 seniors have gone in the first ten rounds, easily more than the previous high of 60. Of course, the general view is that such players lack leverage, making them popular choices for teams looking to save slot money to ink younger players.