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As a companion series to Kris’ fine work, I have been doing a quick summary of the players drafted in the first round this year and how they are doing so far, plus an educated guess about where they will begin 2019.
Click here for Part One, spots 1-10
Click here for Part Two, spots 11-20
Click here for Part Three spots 21-30
Click here for Part Four, spots 31-40
Click here for Part Five, spots 41-50
Click here for Part Six, spots 51-60
Reader response to this series was positive so we’ll keep going for awhile. Here are spots 61-68, which takes us to the end of the second round. We’ll hit the Comp-B round tomorrow.
61) Josh Breaux, C, New York Yankees: Catcher from McClellan Community College in Texas, hit .280/.295/.370 in 100 at-bats for Staten Island in New York-Penn League, three walks and 20 strikeouts; interesting bat, needs work with the strike zone and defense, likely to begin 2019 in Low-A.
62) Brennen Davis, OF, Chicago Cubs: High school outfielder from Chandler, Arizona; promising debut at .298/.431/.333 in Arizona Rookie League, 10 walks, 12 strikeouts in 57 at-bats, stole six bases in seven attempts; needs to be tracked for leadoff potential, may open in short-season ball but at least some chance to begin in Low-A.
63) Alek Thomas, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks: From high school in Chicago, Illinois, excellent debut at combined .333/.395/.463 between Arizona League and Pioneer League, 24 walks, 37 strikeouts in 246 at-bats, stole 12 bases; turns 19 in April but did enough to open 2019 in Low-A, another leadoff type.
64) Nick Decker, OF, Boston Red Sox: High school outfielder from Tabernacle, New Jersey, power bat, got just four at-bats in rookie ball due to a wrist injury, probably opens 2019 in New York-Penn League.
65) Tim Cate, LHP, Washington Nationals: University of Connecticut lefty, split debut between New York-Penn and South Atlantic Leagues, posting 5.02 ERA in 52 innings, 45/16 K/BB, 57 hits; excellent curveball, may return to Low-A to open ‘19 but could start in High-A depending on roster spots and spring performance, polished reputation.
66) Jayson Schroeder, RHP, Houston Astros: High school arm from Kirkland, Washington, strong debut in Gulf Coast League with 1.50 ERA in 18 innings, 18/9 K/BB, heavy sinker, probably begins 2019 in the NY-P.
67) Nick Sandlin, RHP, Cleveland Indians: From Southern Mississippi, shot up the ladder going from rookie ball to Low-A to High-A to Double-A in his first pro summer, posting composite 3.00 ERA in 24 innings with stunning 36/3 K/BB; could return to Double-A to open ‘19 and get to majors sooner than anyone else in this article.
68) Michael Grove, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers: College arm from West Virginia, didn’t pitch in 2018 while recovering from Tommy John surgery; assignment will obviously depend on health.