Brendan Rodgers, Dansby Swanson and Carson Fulmer were ranked as the number one, two and three draft prospects going into Monday’s 2015 first-year player draft, but they went in a completely different order than predicted. While Swanson and Rodgers were in fact taken in the top three picks, Fulmer didn’t go until the eighth pick, with Alex Bregman moving up a few spots to the top three.
Dansby Swanson went first overall, getting drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Although he wasn’t the top choice heading into the draft, there’s no real surprise why the Diamondbacks took Dansby Swanson number one overall. This past season at Vanderbilt, Swanson hit .348 with 14 home runs and 61 RBI’s, helping to lead his team back to the College World Series for the second straight season. With the D-backs not very deep at the shortstop position at the big league level, Swanson should progress quickly if he can stay healthy and post decent numbers.
Alex Bregman went second overall, getting drafted by the Houston Astros.
Despite the fact that the Astros’ number one overall pick from 2012, Carlos Correa, made his big league debut at shortstop on Monday night, the Astros decided to pick up fellow shortstop Alex Bregman as the number two overall pick. Bregman hit .312 and recorded 37 stolen bases this past season at LSU, and has drawn comparisons to Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox. While Bregman has stated a desire to remain at shortstop, he may find himself shifting to second in the future with Correa blocking his way.
Brendan Rodgers went third overall, getting drafted by the Colorado Rockies.
Brendan Rodgers was ranked the number one overall prospect heading into the draft, but he stuck around until the third pick. The selection of Rodgers made history, as it was the first time in the history of the draft that three shortstops were taken as the top three picks. Coined as the best power hitting shortstop since Carlos Correa, Rodgers hit .360 with 8 homers this year at Lake Mary high school. With his ability to hit for power, and with a plus arm at short, Rodgers should have a long career in the majors.
The remainder of the draft saw many surprises. A lot of players went higher than anyone expected, while others stuck around longer than many thought they would. But that usually happens every year with the draft.
The rest of the 1st round of the 2015 draft, following the first three picks, went as follows:
4. Rangers: Dillon Tate
5. Astros: Kyle Tucker
6. Twins: Tyler Jay
7. Red Sox: Andrew Benintendi
8. White Sox: Carson Fulmer
9. Cubs: Ian Happ
10. Phillies: Cornelius Randolph
11. Reds: Tyler Stephenson
12. Marlins: Josh Naylor
13. Rays: Garrett Whitley
14. Braves: Kolby Allard
15. Brewers: Trent Clark
16. Yankees: James Kaprielian
17. Indians: Brady Aiken
18. Giants: Phil Bickford
19. Pirates: Kevin Newman
20. Athletics: Richie Martin
21. Royals: Ashe Russell
22. Tigers: Beau Burrows
23. Cardinals: Nick Plummer
24. Dodgers: Walker Buehler
25. Orioles: D.J. Stewart
26. Angels: Taylor Ward
27. Rockies: Mike Nikorak
28. Braves: Michael Soroka
29. Blue Jays: Jon Harris
30. Yankees: Kyle Holder
31. Giants: Chris Shaw
32. Pirates: Ke’Bryan Hayes
33. Royals: Nolan Watson
34. Tigers: Christin Stewart
35. Dodgers: Kyle Funkhouser
36. Orioles: Ryan Mountcastle
Lottery Round A
37. Astros: Daz Cameron
38. Rockies: Tyler Nevin
39. Cardinals: Jake Woodford
40. Brewers: Nathan Kirby
41. Braves: Austin Riley
42. Indians: Triston McKenzie
Make sure to follow the list of players above as the majority of them begin their professional careers. Odds are at least a few of those names will become MLB All-Stars, with the possibility that some may become a future Hall of Famer. You never know what can happen when you have so much young talent entering their given MLB organizations, and that’s reason enough to pay close attention to them all.