MLB 2016 Draft: First Round Analysis

The 2016 MLB Draft got underway on Thursday night in Secaucus, N.J., with the Philadelphia Phillies selecting high school outfielder Mickey Moniak as the first overall pick.

MLB 2016 Draft: First Round Analysis

The three-day event began with 77 picks covering the first round, supplemental first round, competitive balance round A, second round, and competitive balance round B. Rounds 3-10 will take place Friday, and the draft will conclude with rounds 11-40 on Saturday.

Moniak, of La Costa Canyon (Calif.) High School, is the first prep outfielder to go No. 1 overall since the Arizona Diamondbacks selected Justin Upton in 2005. Philadelphia held the top pick for the second time in franchise history: they took Pat Burrell first overall in 1998.

“Even though he’s a high school player, Moniak has one of the highest floors in the Draft,” said MLB.com Draft and prospect expert Jim Callis. “He’s a surefire up-the-middle-player in a Draft that doesn’t have many of them. Moniak is going to hit. He’s going to run. He’s going to play a good center field. And Moniak’s power has improved this season. I like this pick.”

The Cincinnati Reds followed up by selecting third baseman Nick Senzel out of Tennessee for the second overall pick. Senzel is the highest-drafted player in Tennessee history. (Todd Helton went eighth overall in 1995.) He hit 325/.456/.595 with eight homers, 25 steals, 40 walks, and 21 strikeouts in 57 games this spring.  “He’s arguably the best pure hitter in college baseball, and there is more power in there,” said Callis. The only real question is Senzel’s ultimate position. The right-hander has played all over the infield for the Volunteers and has the arm for third base, although he’s not particularly quick or smooth in the field, leading some to believe he could wind up at first base further down the line.

The following two picks were both right-handed pitchers: Ian Anderson, who was drafted by the Atlanta Braves out of Shenendehowa (N.Y.) High School, and Riley Pint, who was selected by the Colorado Rockies out of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Kan.) High School. “Anderson has a plus fastball and a potential plus slider,” said Callis. Anderson missed a few weeks with an oblique injury this spring, and has committed to Vanderbilt. Pint, meanwhile, has topped 100mph several times this spring and will usually live in the 95-98 mph range with his fastball.

The Milwaukee Brewers then followed up by selecting speedy outfielder Corey Ray out of Louisville as the fifth pick. He is also the highest-drafted player in his school’s history.

Rounding out the top ten were left-handers A.J. Puk (No. 6) and Braxton Garrett, (No. 7) who were chosen by the Oakland Athletics and the Miami Marlins out of Florida and Florence, (Ala.) High School respectively, right-handers Cal Quantrill (No. 8) and Matt Manning (No. 9), who were chosen by the San Diego Padres and the Detroit Tigers out of Stanford and Sheldon (Calif.) High School respectively, and Miami catcher Zack Collins, (No. 10) who went to the Chicago White Sox.

The following teams did not have first-round picks this year due to free agent compensation:

• Diamondbacks: Forfeited 13th overall pick to sign Zack Greinke.
• Baltimore Orioles: Forfeited 14th overall pick to sign Yovani Gallardo.
• Washington Nationals: Forfeited 17th overall pick to sign Daniel Murphy.
• San Francisco Giants: Forfeited 18th overall pick to sign Jeff Samardzija.
• Texas Rangers: Forfeited 19th overall pick to sign Ian Desmond.
• Kansas City Royals: Forfeited 24th overall pick to sign Ian Kennedy.
• Chicago Cubs: Forfeited 27th overall pick to sign John Lackey.

Menlo College in Atherton, California, will also be paying close attention to the Draft. Since 2011, four players at the Silicon Valley school have been selected in the draft.  The highest selection out of Menlo College was outfielder Jimmy Bosco, who went in the 13th round in 2013 to the St. Louis Cardinals.

PHOTO: PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 25: Cole Hamels, left, of the Philadelphia Phillies and team Senior Vice President and General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announce Hamels six-year, $144 million contract extension before the start of their MLB baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 25, 2012 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)