The first two rounds of the 2015 MLB Draft are in the books and as always, there were a few surprises and a few potential superstars. If anything, this particular draft will likely be remembered as the year of the shortstop with the first three players taken overall playing the key position and six of the first twenty.
Of those shortstops, number three pick (to Colorado) Brendan Rogers could have the highest upside, coming out of Lake Mary High School in Florida while Cornelius Randolph (number ten to the Phillies) appears to have the greatest power and number 30 pick Kyle Holder (to the Yankees) is apparently the best defensive shortstop.
Last year, there was more of a focus on pitching early on with the first three chosen all being pitchers. Two of the first round pitchers have already made their Major League debuts, Brandon Finnegan and Carlos Rodon, and there are a few options for this to happen again with the 2015 draft. Of the pitchers drafted early, there was a steady theme of 98 MPH relievers turned starters including the sixth overall pick, Tyler Jay (LHP) to the Twins and the eighth pick Carson Fulmer to the White Sox. Both of these college pitchers could be quick to the majors as relievers, but could ultimately see their future as starters, much like Rodon this season.
Another interesting trend in this year’s first round was the Vanderbilt connection. Vandy won the College World Series in 2014 and won their game last night to propel them to the quarter finals this year. Making this more interesting is that the number one pick, Dansby Swanson to Arizona hit a home run off Illinois’ (and now Minnesota’s) Tyler Jay. The other high level reliever, Fulmer, is also a Vanderbilt product along with Walker Buehler, who went to the Dodgers with the 24th pick.
Most of the players drafted today will be unknown to the majority of Major League Baseball fans, but one name everyone should know is Brady Aiken. Last year’s first overall pick rejected the Astros offer after they reduced the signing bonus based on a failed medical exam. Houston proved to be correct in their judgement as Aiken had Tommy John surgery this March. Given that, there were many who expected Aiken to fall completely out of the first round since he won’t be able to throw at all until next year anyway. Despite this, the Cleveland Indians took the risky pick by grabbing up the former #1 at 17th overall. The Indians have plenty of experience turning former Tommy John patients into star pitchers (see Carlos Carrasco) and if he signs, he will get to work with some of the best during his rehab.
A surprise in the other direction was Mike Cameron’s son, Daz Cameron. He came into the draft as the top outfield prospect, but due to signability issues, dropped all the way to the Competitive Balance Round A to the Astros at #37. The Astros were the team expected to take a chance on Cameron as they have the highest draft pool thanks to three picks in the first round.
While we like to get excited about instant gratification major leaguers, the majority of these players won’t even be heard of again for another three to five years. As mentioned, just two players from the first round in 2014 have made their debuts (both pitchers), five from 2013 and eleven from 2012. Because of this, it is much too early judge the draft, although one early winner could be Los Angeles, who lucked out with two highly ranked pitchers falling to them at 24 (the already mentioned Buehler) and Kyle Funkhouser at 35.
