Angels selected outfielder Mike Trout with the 25th pick in the draft.
Unlike Randal Grichuk, Trout was expected to go at least this high. It’s expected that he’ll start switch-hitting in the pros, and he’s displayed 15- or 20-homer power as a right-handed hitter. He has the range to play center and a great arm. He’s a nice pick.
Brewers chose Indiana RHP Eric Arnett with the 26th pick in the draft.
Arnett, a 6-foot-5 right-hander, has a strong low-90s fastball that should generate grounders. He doesn’t have a second above average pitch yet, but the Brewers will work with him on his slider and changeup. 26th overall seems about right.
Mariners selected high school shortstop Nick Franklin with the 27th pick.
The switch-hitting Franklin doesn’t stand out when it comes to tools, but he has enough range to be a major league shortstop and he should be able to hit singles and doubles from both sides of the plate. He’s a fine pick for a Mariners team that needs a shortstop of the future.
Red Sox selected high school outfielder Reymond Fuentes with the 28th pick.
It figured that Boston would go with a signability player, but Fuentes doesn’t really qualify. An outfielder from Puerto Rico, Fuentes is a Jacoby Ellsbury-type and he could be another leadoff hitting center fielder for the Red Sox.
Yankees selected high school outfielder Slade Heathcott with the 29th pick in the draft.
This is the Yankees’ compensation pick for failing to sign their first rounder last year. Heathcott projects as a right fielder with 25-homer power. He may not hit for average, and he has had injury issues, including a torn ACL that limited him this year.
Rays selected infielder-outfielder LeVon Washington with 30th pick in the draft.
Washington was viewed as a center fielder by most, but the Rays have drafted him at second base. They figure to have more of a need there than in the outfielder by the time he’s ready. A true burner, Washington could be a 40- or 50-steal guy. He won’t hit for much power.
Cubs chose California outfielder Brett Jackson with the 31st pick in the draft.
Jackson hit .321/.407/.564 with 11 steals in 16 attempts for California this season. He has a solid all-around game, but he doesn’t offer vast amounts of power and, if he can’t last in center, he may be a tweener fourth outfielder rather than a major league regular.
Rockies selected Sacramento State outfielder Tim Wheeler with the 32nd and final pick of the first round.
Colorado picked up this pick from the Angels as compensation for losing Brian Fuentes. Wheeler, a left-handed hitter, is a legitimate center fielder with leadoff potential and doubles power. For where they picked, the Rockies, who selected left-hander Tyler Matzek 11th overall, had an excellent first round.
See analysis of picks 17-24, 9-16, and 1-8.
