Day 2 Draft Standouts, American League

See also: National League.

Below are some notable selections from the draft’s second day. I chatted live for the first three hours of Day 2 here. If you missed any Day 1 analysis, the draft live stream is located here and analysis of the first day is available here for the American League and here for the National League. My top 100 with tool grades, scouting reports, etc., is here.

The numbers in parentheses beside each name indicate the round in which the relevant prospect was drafted.

Baltimore Orioles

Michael Baumann (3), a right-handed pitcher from Jacksonville, was just off my draft top 100. He’s got a strong build, above-average fastball, potential above-average slider, and had enough of a curveball and changeup to project as a starter on basis of repertoire depth.

There are concerns about the length of his arm action and the way it limits his command. CF Lamar Sparks (5) from Seven Lakes HS (TX) has a projectable frame, above-average bat speed, and runs well enough to stay in center field for a while. He’s the athletic, projectable sort of athlete on which Baltimore’s system is currently short. He’ll have to overcome his swing’s length.

Boston Red Sox

UNC Charlotte 2B Brett Netzer(3) is a bat-first second-base prospect. His swing has some natural loft, his barrel is quick into the zone, and he generates good extension through contact. RHP Alex Scherff (5) from Colleyville Heritage HS (TX) is a physical righty with mid-90s velocity, above-average curveball projection, and some of the draft’s better recorded spin rates. His command requires significant polish.

Chicago White Sox

New Mexico OF Luis Gonzalez (3) likely would have gone sooner if not for off-field issues that surfaced just ahead of the draft. He has fringe to average tools across the board and is an above-average athlete. Hard throwing RHP Tyler Johnson(5) from South Carolina has had injury issues but his plus-plus fastball looks pretty good in a system that has a had success developing pitchers. TCU C/DH Evan Skoug (7) can’t catch for me and has swing-and-miss issues, but plus raw power and performance in a big college conference are not often found in the seventh round.

Cleveland Indians

Carlos Beltran Academy OF Johnathan Rodriguez (3) has significant physical projection, some of the best in the entire draft, and elite arm strength. He’s a solid bet to grow into at least plus raw power, though he needs a lot of mechanical work to be able to hit. There’s lots of upside there. St. John’s SS Jesse Berardi (10) is a likely utility man, capable of handling short and peppering the gaps.

Detroit Tigers

Third-round catcher Joey Morgan (3) of Washington might hit for some power and stay behind the plate. Seventh round RHP Brad Bass (7) out of Notre Dame sits in the low 90s and commands a potentially average slider enough to eat innings. He could be an up and down arm as a starter or a bullpen piece if his velo ticks up in short stints. Oklahoma State CF Garrett McCain (10) is a plus runner with above-average bat speed but some strange hitting traits that turned off scouts. He had nearly a .500 OBP this year, and I think he has a shot to be a fourth outfielder.

Houston Astros

Houston drafted Grayson County College RHP Tyler Ivey (3) has a good pitcher’s frame, his fastball plays up due to extension, and he flashes an above average curveball. Notre Dame righty Pete Solomon (4) was 92-94 at the ACC tournament, but he’ll touch 96 and flash a plus slider. He has 30 control right now.

Kansas City Royals

Fourth-rounder Michael Gigliotti (4), an outfielder from Lipscomb, runs well enough to stay in center field and, if not for a lack of bat speed, he’d project as an everyday player. Alabama-Birmingham CF Brewer Hicklen (7) was on my top 100 because of his rare combination of power and speed.

Los Angeles Angels

LSU commit Jacob Pearson (3) has the speed to stay in center field, and I think he has a chance to hit enough to play every day.

Minnesota Twins

I really liked Minnesota’s second day, starting with Blayne Enlow (3) — my No. 33 overall draft prospect — and his potential plus curveball. Clemson lefty Charlie Barnes (4) is going to miss pro bats with his changeup. Seventh-round JUCO lefty Ryley Widdell (7) has a strong build, sits 87-92, and will flash an average changeup and curveball.

New York Yankees

Arkansas RHP Trevor Stephan (3) will touch 96, sit 92-94, and throw enough strikes to start. His sweeping curveball is average but plays up against righties because of his cross-bodied delivery. Rice RHP Glenn Otto (4) work in the mid-90s and spins an above-average curveball that plays down due to arm deceleration. He has had injury issues.

Oakland Athletics

Francis Parker HS (CA) SS Nick Allen (3) was a top-25 player on my board and helps explain Day 1’s college bats. Vanderbilt 3B Will Toffey (4) might squeeze enough out of his glove and approach to carve out a big-league role. Puerto Rican C Santi Sanchez (5) has some power and a plus arm.

Seattle Mariners

Puerto Rican LHP Jorge Benitez (9) was in consideration for my top-100 because his velocity ticked up later in the spring and he’s very physically projectable. Fifth-round Long Beach C David Banuelos (5) has a good chance to be a big-league backup due to his framing and catch-and-throw skills.

Tampa Bay Rays

Florida State SS Taylor Walls (4) isn’t a lock at shortstop for me, but Tampa tries long shots at short pretty frequently. He has a patient approach and playable swings from both sides of the plate. He projects as a utility man. The Rays drafted three seniors to help get Michael Mercado’s deal done.

Texas Rangers

Third-round Oral Roberts C Matt Whatley (3) has a plus arm and potential glove. Fourth-round high-school righty Ryan Dease (4) has a prototypical build but middling current stuff, though it’s easy to envision him growing into more. Sixth round RHP Noah Bremer (6) out of Washington has three fringe to average pitches and a chance to be a fifth starter.

Toronto Blue Jays

San Diego C Riley Adams (3) is a volatile college prospect with rare power for a catcher. He’s not a lock to stay behind the plate, nor is he one to avoid excessive strikeouts. If he remedies both he’s an impact regular.