National League Draft Recap

Click here for American League recap.

Below is a collection of notes on each National League team’s draft class. We’ve tried to touch briefly on the players each club selected through the first five rounds or so, with observations on players selected after that at our discretion. Generally, these are the prospects we think both (a) have a chance to appear on a team prospect list sometime in the near future and also (b) are likely to sign. The number in parentheses after each player’s name is the round in which he was drafted.

For more details on many of these players, consult THE BOARD, which has tool grades, links to video, and various information about the players.

Arizona Diamondbacks
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SoCal prep 2B Matt McLain (1) is a smaller guy with a plus hit tool and the speed/hands to play somewhere up the middle… Virginia CF Jake McCarthy (CBA) missed most of the spring with a broken wrist but has average raw power, plus speed, and feel to hit, though he’ll need a swing adjustment in pro ball… Illinois prep CF Alek Thomas (2) has a long track record of hitting and has good feel for the game but slipped because of concerns about a lack of physicality. That won’t matter if he hits like proponents think he will… Kansas RHP Jackson Goddard (3) is a power arm who flashes electric stuff and likely lands in relief… Wright State RHP Ryan Weiss (4) shows solid-average stuff, has a back-end-starter profile… Oregon RHP Matt Mercer (5) is a Driveline guy who throws with high effort up to 97 mph. He has four pitches, but the changeup is way ahead of the breaking balls and he may end up in relief… Florida prep RHP Levi Kelly (8) is maxed out and is a fringe athlete, but he’s up to 96 mph and flashes a plus slider at times… Florida State LHP Tyler Holton (9) had Tommy John surgery this spring but flashed solid-average stuff and feel when healthy… Florida prep SS Blaze Alexander (11) has power, a 70 arm, and a chance to play shortstop but has had swing-and-miss issues against good pitching… Kentucky RHP Justin Lewis (12) is ultra lanky, sitting 89-93 mph with an above-average changeup and enough breaking ball to stick as a starter.

Atlanta Braves
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Florida prep RHP Carter Stewart (1) has a chance for two 70 pitches in his fastball and curve, along with the starter traits, projection, and athleticism to project to the front of a rotation… Wichita State RF/1B Greyson Jenista (2) has sneaky athleticism and 65-grade raw power from the left side that could produce 30 bombs a year. He’ll need a swing adjustment, though, and there’s some risk that changing him hurts his ability to make contact… Stanford RHP Tristan Beck (4) was a first-round talent in high school but has been injured a lot since his senior year. He now has four pitches, the best of which is his curveball, and inconsistent command. He has third- or fourth-starter upside if things bounce back… Junior college RHP Trey Riley (5) transferred from Oklahoma State and his stuff ticked up, hitting 97. He’ll flash an above-average slider and has a chance to start… UNC Greensboro CF Andrew Moritz (6) has fringe physical tools but a great feel to hit… Stetson closer Brooks Wilson (7) is a senior sign with three solid-average pitches and comes right at hitters… Washington SS A.J. Graffanino (8) is the son of Tony Graffanino and is super lanky and smooth at short. He has limited power and was injured much of this year but has some feel to hit… Texas RHP Nolan Kingham (12) looked like a first-round pick as a freshman and has been up to 97 mph but has been very inconsistent… California prep RHP Victor Vodnik (14) is just 6-foot even and looked like a young Trevor Bauer last fall, up to 97 mph with a 55 breaking ball and a quick, efficient arm action. He sat closer to 90 mph this spring, though… 1B C.J. Alexander (20) is the older brother of D-backs 11th-rounder Blaze Alexander. He has plus raw power and posted big numbers this spring.

Chicago Cubs
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Stanford 2B Nico Hoerner (1) has plus-plus speed, great bat-to-ball ability, and sneaky power, but it’s unclear what up-the-middle position he plays and he doesn’t lift the ball much… Arizona prep CF Brennen Davis (2) is a classic power/speed lottery ticket with lots of risk on the contact… SoCal prep CF Cole Roederer (comp 2) had a late injury that dried up his market a bit, but he has great feel to hit and a shot to stay in center… San Diego RHP Paul Richan (comp 2) was likely an underslot play to sign the prep outfielders, has solid-average stuff and some moxie as a back-end/up-and-down type… Duke CF Jimmy Herron (3) has a football background and plus speed but a very flat swing path with little power… Virginia 2B Andy Weber (5) has an advanced feel to hit and is decent at second base, lacks power… Liberty CF D.J. Artis (7) has a very patient approach and is a plus runner who can play center but not a whole lot else. The Cubs draft someone like this every year… Virginia RHP Derek Casey (9) is a favorite senior sign of ours, with a good frame and good delivery. He also throws strikes and has average stuff… Southern Miss 3B Luke Reynolds (9) put up big numbers this year and could turn into a corner utility type… Louisville RHP Riley Thompson (11) has a truly electric arm, running his heater up to 99 mph, but the command and consistency have never been there. Mitchell Parker (28) is a prep lefty from New Mexico with upper-80s stuff, which plays better due to deception, and a good curveball.

Cincinnati Reds
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Florida 3B Jonathan India (1) was a third- to fourth-rounder entering the year, but remade his body and dominated the SEC this spring with improved tools… Florida prep RHP Lyon Richardson (2) is maxed-out physically and some don’t love his arm action, but he’s got a really live arm and has been up to 96 mph this spring with a 55 slider and other starter traits… Le Moyne RHP Josiah Gray (2) is a D2 conversion guy who pounds the zone with a plus fastball. His secondaries are raw … Illinois RF Bren Spillane (3) put up monster numbers and has plus, all-fields raw power along with enough athleticism to try the outfield… Virginia prep CF Mike Siani (4) will sign for well over slot as a fringe first-round talent with four above-average tools… UC Santa Barbara RHP Noah Davis (11) looked like a second-rounder this fall, hitting 97 mph with his sinker and showing starter traits, but had Tommy John last month… Florida RHP Michael Byrne (14) will be a tough sign, as there’s talk of him shifting from the Gators closer role into their rotation next year, where his solid-average stuff may play better than it did in one-inning stints. He may make himself some money… UCF 1B Rylan Thomas (26) is squatty with explosive hands that create 65 or 70 raw power. He has a 60 arm but his feet limits him to first, and his power-based approach gives him some trouble with good breaking stuff.

Colorado Rockies
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Ole Miss LHP Ryan Rolison (1) looked like a top-10 pick after a few outings this spring, but then he struggled with fastball command (which might be fixable if it’s just a stride-direction issue) and coaches didn’t encourage him to use his changeup… New Hampshire prep 1B Grant Lavigne (CBA) has easy plus raw power and a really good swing, and they need to bear serious fruit because he’s likely first-base-only… Texas A&M RHP Mitchell Kilkenny (2) doesn’t have a sexy profile, but he’s an effective back-end-starter type with solid-average stuff who’ll hit 95 mph every now and then… Minnesota 3B Terrin Vavra (3) performs when healthy and has about average tools across the board… Ohio State RHP Ryan Feltner (4) has been up to 98 mph this spring but works more 91-94 mph with sink and 55 a changeup. He probably fits in relief… UCLA RHP Jake Bird (5) has solid-average stuff and some moxie… Loyola Marymount RF Niko Decolati (6) has been an inconsistent performer and has no clear position, but he has sizable strength-driven power for an infielder… Fullerton RHP Andrew Quezada is a smallish righty who works in the low 90s with a back-end or swing-guy profile… Washington C Willie MacIver (9) broke his hamate this spring and didn’t catch, but he hit on the Cape and has a chance to catch once he’s physically able to do it again… Oklahoma LF Cade Harris (10) was in a loaded OU outfield with Kyler Murray and Steele Walker but has more average tools across the board, a reserve type… North Carolina 3B Kyle Datres (12) showed some big-league potential in flashes at UNC with average-type tools but nothing loud.

Los Angeles Dodgers
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Mississippi prep RHP J.T. Ginn (1) has arguably the best two-pitch combo in the draft with his fastball/curveball, but he’s maxed-out physically and is likely a reliever… West Virginia RHP Michael Grove (2) missed the year rehabbing TJ but was electric and lightly scouted last spring. There’s shades of Mitchell White here… Hofstra LHP John Rooney (3) is a tall, pitchability lefty with average stuff and advanced command… Texas prep RHP Braydon Fisher (4) is very young for the class and runs his heater into the mid-90s along with a slider that flashes 55… Louisville 2B Devin Mann (5) is just okay defensively but has average hit/power/run tools that are useful anywhere… Florida 2B Deacon Liput (10) had an up-and-down career with the Gators but can stick in the dirt, has average raw power, and has hit at times… Junior college RHP Trey Dillard (16) has been up to 99 mph with an average slider, but command/consistency issues… Morehead State RF Niko Hulsizer (18) broke his hamate bone this year but has been productive and has big raw power.

Miami Marlins
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Florida prep CF Connor Scott (1) is a 6-foot-4 athlete who’s a 70 runner and has a smooth lefty cut but was hurt a lot this spring… NorCal prep CF Osiris Johnson (2) is super young for the class and has top-of-the-scale bat speed and athletic actions but didn’t perform last summer when he faced good pitching… Georgia prep C Will Banfield (2) has a chance to be a plus receiver with a plus arm and 55 raw power, but his swing has changed more times than most scouts can count… Kentucky LF Tristan Pompey (3) has plus raw power and some speed but poor defensive instincts, so that bat will need to play… Ole Miss C Nick Fortes (4) has a 45 arm but is a good receiver with a very patient approach and some offensive ability to fit as a modern catcher… Texas A&M RHP Cason Sherrod (7) is a senior who sits 92-95 with a 55 slider but had a down spring… Arkansas State RHP Peyton Culbertson (8) is a smaller relief type who’s been into the high 90s this spring… Purdue righty Tanner Andrews (10) is a senior sign who’s been up to 96 mph this spring and fits best in relief

Milwaukee Brewers
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SoCal prep SS Brice Turang (1) was the top prep bat in the class a year ago but had just an okay spring that dimmed him in the view of many… Mississippi prep RF Joe Gray (2) has given scouts good and bad looks at dozens of events over the years but finished with a strong spring. At worst, he’s a classic right-field prototype with a volatile bat, but he has a better chance to stay in center than most prospects in that bucket… Hawaii prep CF Micah Bello (2) grew into a potential everyday center fielder this spring with physical development… Junior college LHP Aaron Ashby (4) is the nephew of Andy Ashby and has a plus curveball, low 90s heater, and gaudy numbers… Oregon State RHP Drew Rasmussen (6) is a senior sign who’s rehabbing his second TJ but is up to 97 mph with back-of-the-bullpen stuff at his best… Auburn righty Davis Daniel(11) didn’t have the durability to start this spring, then remade himself into a mid-90s reliever down the stretch… Florida prep RF Elijah Cabell (14) has 65 raw power and arm strength in a Clint Frazier-type swing, but he struck out nearly 30% of the time this spring as a nearly 19-year-old high schooler… Junior college RHP Nick Iverson (15) works in the low-90s and hits 95 mph when he’s on, with solid-average stuff and a back-end-starter profile.

New York Mets
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Wisconsin CF Jarred Kelenic (1) is arguably the best prep hitter in the class and should stick in center while exhibiting about average power…Texas prep RHP Simeon Woods-Richardson (2) is an athlete with a very loose arm who flashes three above-average pitches but is still pretty raw… South Carolina LF Carlos Cortes (3) has plus lefty raw power and ended the season hot after a terrible start. He’s squatty, has played some second base ,and is ambidextrous… South Carolina RHP Adam Hill (4) looked like a second-rounder some days and a seventh-rounder on others. His fastball/slider/command trifecta could produce a fourth starter or middle reliever… Clemson RHP Ryley Gilliam (5) reminds some of Trevor Gott, a smaller reliever who gets into the mid-90s with a sharp curve and is always in attack mode… Tylor Megill (8) is a big righty from Arizona with a low-90s fastball and average slide… Cal Poly C Nick Meyer (6) is an above-average defender and thrower who has a little contact ability but no power… Missouri RHP Bryce Montes de Oca (9) has had injuries, but is a 6-foot-7 behemoth who’s hit 100 mph. The Mets drafted a bunch of big college arms on Day 2.

Philadelphia Phillies
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Wichita State 3B Alec Bohm (1) has 70 raw power and looks like Kris Bryant if you squint, but he needs to make some swing adjustments and improve defensively… Fullerton RHP Colton Eastman (4) sits 90-92 with an above-average changeup and improving curve that’s above average at times. He threw more strikes this year… Notre Dame RF Matt Vierling (5) has above-average raw power, arm strength, and athleticism but likely fits on a corner… Georgia prep SS Kendall Simmons (6) had a rough spring at the plate but looked like a young Addison Russell at times last summer. He’s twitchy and explosive and looks great taking BP but is erratic in games… Seth Lancaster (8) is a rowdy senior-sign shortstop with low-ball power and a terrible mustache. NorCal prep RHP Dominic Pipkin (9) had a down spring, as well. At his best, he peaks at 96 mph with a super loose arm and starter traits… SS Matt Kroon (18) bounced all over the place as an amateur but stuck the landing as a junior at Oklahoma State and had great numbers. He has a utility infield profile, enough arm for the left side, and experience at several infield spots.

Pittsburgh Pirates
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South Alabama CF Travis Swaggerty (1) has plus tools galore and hit last summer with wood for Team USA, then had an uneven spring adjusting to a new power-focused swing… Florida prep RHP Gunnar Hoglund (CBA) and second-rounder Texas prep RHP Braxton Ashcraft are both classic projection arms with clean deliveries and three pitches around average now, with Hoglund possessing a little more present stuff… Vanderbilt SS Connor Kaiser (3) is in the mold of Jordy Mercer as a big shortstop with a solid glove, some power, and inconsistent contact/rhythm… Arkansas C Grant Koch (5) improved as a defender this year, but his offense backed up a bit after having been regarded as a power-over-hit offensive catcher last season… Arizona RHP Michael Flynn (6) has been up to 95 mph this spring but his offspeed and command are more fringe to average, profiling as a back-end starter or middle reliever… North Carolina State LF Brett Kinneman (7) is limited to left and has some swing-and-miss concerns, but he tapped into his 55 raw power a lot this year… UConn C Zach Susi (12) has a line-drive swing and limited offensive upside but can stick behind the plate… Duke SS Zack Kone (13) is another big shortstop with some power and contact questions like Kaiser… Cal LF Jonah Davis (15) is a fringey defender with swing-and-miss concerns but has plus raw power that he gets to in games.

San Diego Padres
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Tennessee prep LHP Ryan Weathers (1) is the son of David Weathers. All three pitches and his command are above average despite a very short stride and maxed-out frame… Florida prep 2B Xavier Edwards (CBA) is an 80 runner who fits somewhere up the middle and has a long track record of hitting from both sides of the plate… Texas Tech 2B Grant Little (CBB) doesn’t have a clear position and doesn’t have loud tools but is average across the board with monster numbers… Missouri State RHP Dylan Coleman (4) is 6-foot-6 and has been up to 97 mph while showing a 55 slider, but he may ultimately end up in the pen… East Carolina RF Dwanya Williams-Sutton (5) is a solid athlete with big raw power and huge exit velos but just okay numbers… Rutgers CF Jawuan Harris (7) has above-average to plus tools across the board but 30 pitch recognition and limited reps due to football and a pot suspension… Texas Tech RHP Jose Quezada (10) is a senior sign who works 91-95 with a slider that’s a 55 at times… Pennsylvania prep 2B Sean Guilbe (12) will stick in the dirt and has above-average power along with some feel to hit… Georgia 1B Michael Curry (16) has plus raw power and some hitability that gives him a chance to profile after moving full-time from catcher.

San Francisco Giants
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Georgia Tech C Joey Bart (1) has plus raw power and arm strength, along with elite makeup and surprising defensive ability for a catcher of his size. Contact is the only question… Kentucky RHP Sean Hjelle (2) is 6-foot-11 and throws a low-90s sinker with a one-of-a-kind plane and average offspeed stuff. He fits as a No. 4 starter… Grand Canyon RHP Jake Wong (3) attacks with sinking 94-96 but has fringe to average offspeed stuff. He could work as a back-end starter or seventh-/eighth-inning guy… Junior college RHP Blake Rivera (4) was up to 97 mph this spring with an above-average slider and is likely a long-term fit in the bullpen… UCF LHP Bryce Tucker (14) works in the low 90s with a solid-average slider and possibly the most intense mound presence in the draft… Ole Miss CF Ryan Olenek (17) is an under-the-radar favorite of ours: a lanky 6-foot-4 plus runner with plus bat control and sneaky power who rarely struck out this year. He’s on the draft tracker as a pitcher. On the mound, he gets into the low 90s with an average curveball.

St. Louis Cardinals
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Arizona prep 3B Nolan Gorman (1) has plus-plus raw power and was arguably the top prep bat in the class; he fell into the Cardinals’ lap here… Wake Forest RHP Griffin Roberts (CBA) didn’t sign last year after closing. He went much higher this year after showing he can start and isn’t just a sideshow with a plus-plus slider… TCU 1B Luken Baker (2) had a tough college career with multiple injuries and some issues hitting average velocity, but he’s a giant and has 70 raw power, so there’s ceiling if he hits… Texas prep SS Mateo Gil (3) is the son of former big leaguer Benji Gil and is solid on the mound as well, but he has more upside as a hitter with solid-average tools across the board… Texas Tech LHP Steven Gingery (4) had TJ surgery earlier this spring. He has a plus changeup and starter traits that likely would’ve had him in the top two rounds if he’d been healthy… Maryland 2B Nick Dunn (5) is just okay with the glove at second and doesn’t have much power but is one of the top hitters in this college class… South Alabama 3B Brendan Donovan (7) got some shine from scouts bearing down on teammate Travis Swaggerty but is solid in his own right, with average offensive tools in a corner-utility-type profile… USC 1B Lars Nootbaar (8) looked like a potential first-day pick last fall but had tons of contact issues this spring; he still has 65 or 70 raw power and hit well last year… Parker Kelly (20) is the brother of Carson Kelly. He’s a relief righty from Oregon whose delivery and plus slider are tough on righties… Puerto Rican SS Kevin Vargas (22) has a utility look.

Washington Nationals
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Florida prep RHP Mason Denaburg (1) has been up to 97 mph with a present plus curve and has flashed a 55 change. He would have gone higher had he not missed a month due to biceps tendinitis… UConn LHP Tim Cate (2) also missed time with an arm issue and likely fits in relief. He tops out at 95 mph with a present plus curve… Vanderbilt RHP Reid Schaller (3) came out of nowhere this spring (he’s a redshirt freshman) to hit 99 mph, but his slider and command came and went at times… Oklahoma RHP Jake Irvin (4) has been in the mid-90s in the past but was mostly 90-93 with an average curve this spring as a starter… Arizona State CF Gage Canning (5) is a plus-plus runner who has some power but a 4 bat… FSU RHP Andrew Karp (6) has had an up-and-down career but works 89-93 mph with an above-average changeup and starter traits… South Carolina RHP Ridge Chapman (17) had a velo bump late in the year, working 93-96 mph with a slider and change that flashed average… Tennessee RHP Zach Linginfelter (19) hasn’t progressed much since being a big name on the high-school showcase circuit, but he’s a big kid up to 96 mph and flashes a 55 breaker.