Nats Go Teen Youth At #1
There were projected names going into the draft of who will be the #1 pick. Names of LSU's Kade Anderson and Matt Holliday's other son, Ethan Holliday were penciled in as the top spot in mock drafts. In the end, the Nationals went with long-term patience.
Gaining a lot of buzz and traction, the Nats went youth as they selected SS Eli Willits as the first overall pick to kick off the draft. Willits is the third youngest in draft history as he is just 17. He is the son of former major leaguer, Reggie Willits. The teen is described to have a high baseball IQ acumen with a ton of upside. He can play in the outfield if the situation presents itself. Offensively, he is a good eye switch-hitter with a mature approach who has raw power and hit line-drives on a consistent level. Nationals interim GM Mike DeBartolo likes his makeup, his work ethic; has all the intangibles.
The surprises continued as the #2 Los Angeles Angels went out of their own backyard and plucked premium stuff pitcher Tyler Bremner-who finished as one of the hottest pitchers in college baseball. The Seattle Mariners at #3 went to a more recognizable and advanced pitcher in LSU's Kade Anderson. The churning of the Hollidays continue as Jackson's younger brother, Ethan, went to his dad's first organization in the Colorado Rockies at #4. The St. Louis Cardinals went dominant on the mound at #5 with Tennessee's pitcher, Liam Doyle. At #6, the Pittsburgh Pirates went to the high school route once again with P Seth Hernandez-described as an advanced high school right-hander.
The run on shortstops began at #7 with top college hitter, SS Aiva Arquette, going to the Miami Marlins. The final three draft picks went high school as the Toronto Blue Jays with SS JoJo Parker (MS), the Cincinnati Reds with SS Steele Hall (AL) and the Chicago White Sox with SS Billy Carlson (CA).
Last year's draft class produced the likes of OF Charlie Condon (ROCKIES) and 3B/SS JJ Wetherholt (CARDINALS). There will be wonderment what these Top 10 overall picks will develop out of this class.
TOP 10 DRAFT PICKS
Number Of Draft Days Cut From 3 To 2
Starting this year going forward, the number of days the draft covers was slashed from 3 to 2. This was done so the draft would not interfere with the day of the All-Star Game. So Rounds 1-3 covered DAY 1. Rounds 4-20 took up DAY 2.
NOTABLES
Every single year, sons of former MLB players and present front office personnel will be selected among the pool of high school and collegiate prospects. Even the brothers of present MLB players will have their names called upon to be part of the organization. Notables this year include ---------------------------------------->
Check out the prospects who made their debut this season and the top prospect rankings. COVERAGE