The draft will continue with the 3rd round starting on Monday afternoon. But first, let’s take a look at a memorable first night, handing out grades for each first-round pick, plus the Dodgers’ first pick. As always, note that this is more art than science. what looks like a questionable pick on draft night can easily become a great one for a team in due time. This is, in a sense, a snapshot of that moment in time and nothing more. Let’s go to the points.
1. Orioles: Jackson Holliday, SS, Stillwater HS (OK)
Holliday, ranked No. 3 by CBS Sports before the draft, is a defensive top pick. He raised his stock this summer, showing improved physicality and better plate design that allowed him to use the entire field more often. The upside here is a lefty shortstop with a plus bat. This will play. Grade A
2. Diamondbacks: Drew Jones, CF, Wesleyan HS (GA)
Jones entered the summer ranked by CBS Sports as the No. 1 prospect in the class. He was the preferred choice among industry sources who spoke to CBS Sports. So the Diamondbacks should be happy to take him at No. 2. A fully realized Jones could have five plus or better tools, including a good glove in center. Grade A
3. Rangers: Kumar Rocker, RHP, unattached
One of the big surprises of the first round. Rocker’s stock has been hard to determine after a year that included shoulder surgery and a proof-of-life tour in the Frontier League. Rocker’s past success at Vanderbilt is not insignificant, but clubs have expressed reservations about his long-term outlook due to his lack of change and the negative impact his delivery is having on command and potentially his arm health. The Rangers reuniting Rocker with former Vanderbilt teammate Jack Leiter is crazy. Grade: C Termarr Johnson went fourth overall to Pittsburgh. Getty Images
4. Pirates: Termarr Johnson, 2B, Mays HS (GA)
Johnson would be a defensible pick at No. 1. A veteran scout told CBS Sports during the spring that he threw an 80 — or the highest grade possible — on his hit tool. Note that he has average or better raw power, as well as one of the highest baseball IQs in the class, and is a very interesting prospect. Grade A
5. Nationals: Elijah Green, OF, IMG Academy (FL)
Green is one of the highest risk-reward prospects in the class. He has incredibly strong tools, including his reach and speed, but teams have reservations about his hit tool. If he can reverse his swing-and-miss tendencies, he could develop into a star-level player. Some scouts have cautioned that the floor is lower than one would expect from a top-five player with that kind of explosiveness. Grade: B
6. Marlins: Jacob Berry, 1B/DH, LSU
This is confusing. Berry is a limited defender who was compared by one scout to Seth Berry, the 28th pick in the 2018 draft. He did well in his one year at LSU, boosting his stock, but evaluators cautioned that his underlying exit velocity data suggests that there is not as much power here as you think. Given some of the other players on the board, we have no choice but to give the Marlins a low grade. Grade: D
7. Cubs: Cade Horton, RHP, Oklahoma
Horton had a stellar June for the Sooners, sending his stock soaring after our top 30 rankings were released. These are the breaks sometimes. He has a strong arm, though none of the scouts or evaluators who spoke to CBS Sports were sold on him staying in the rotation. The Cubs taking him this early, then, is a steep bet, though he might end up looking excellent. Grade: C
8. Twins: Brooks Lee, SS, Cal Poly
We have a simple rule of thumb. If you take the No. 2 ranked No. 8 player, then you get an A. Lee is a good player with strong instincts. he may have to move away from shortstop as a pro, and there are some questions about the long-term health of his knee and back. Still, he’s looked like a lock to go in the top five all summer, making this one of the best value picks in the draft. Grade A
9. Royals: Gavin Cross, OF, Virginia Tech
Cross is a very good corner outfield prospect who has taken off in the right direction this season, improving his walk and strikeout rates and increasing his power production. He played center this spring but is expected to end up at corner. Grade: B
10. Rockies: Gabriel Hughes, RHP, Gonzaga
The third of three surprise right-handers in the top 10. Hughes is a big, powerful righty who will need to work on his changeup to stay in a rotation. Scouts cautioned that there is more relief risk than is ideal for a top-10 pick. Grade: C The Mets acquired Kevin Parada with the first of two first-round picks. Getty Images
11. Mets: Kevin Parada, C, Georgia Tech
The expectation throughout the summer was that Parada would be a top-five finisher. The Mets should be happy to bring him here. His ball tracking data at Georgia Tech was outstanding and hinted at mid-range potential. Meanwhile, he improved his defense enough to envision him staying behind the plate. This combination deserves an initial screening. Grade A
12. Tigers: Jace Jung, 2B, Texas Tech
Jung has a great feel for contact and the strike zone. The questions evaluators had about his game revolved around his power (he has plus raw power, though he rarely takes advantage of it) and his defense, which looks like it will be subpar even at the foundation. However, he is a safe enough and proven college hitter who can reasonably be expected to play a position other than first base. This is stable. Grade: B
13. Angels: Zach Neto, SS, Campbell
Had the draft played out a little differently, Neto could have been a top-10 pick. He’s a well-rounded player who won Big South games all spring and summer, to the extent that he recorded almost as many home runs as strikeouts. Neto is also considered an instinctive player, a quality that could help him stay at shortstop for a long time. Grade: B
14. Mets: Jett Williams, SS, Rockwall-Heath HS (TX)
The Mets’ interest in Williams was a poorly kept secret until the draft. Nevertheless, they got their man with their second pick of the night. Williams is small but solidly built. he’s also quite athletic and has what some scouts project as a 70-hit tool. This prediction may turn out to be optimistic, but it is worth it. Grade: B
15. Padres: Dylan Lesko, RHP, Buford HS (GA)
Lesko had to undergo Tommy John surgery earlier this summer or he might have gone a few picks higher. He has the best changeup in the class and a fastball with good spin. Lesko’s ball ignites Trackman’s performance, but scouts questioned whether he’ll play effectively given his off-hand shape. The Padres will be glad to know. Grade: B
16. Guards: Chase DeLauter, OF, James Madison
DeLauter entered the spring ranked by CBS Sports as the No. 2 prospect in the class. Struggled out of the gate against the only quality competition he faced this season, then broke his leg. He has a history of hitting all over the place, including in the Cape Cod League, but some scouts were concerned that he is a product of a weak conference. It doesn’t help that he has unusual swing mechanics that see him come off his back foot. The Guardians, a data-obsessed organization, will take the risk. Grade: B The Phillies took Justin Crawford, Carl’s son, in the first round. Getty Images
17. Phillies: Justin Crawford, OF, Bishop Gorman HS (NV)
Crawford was rumored to be a potential top-10 pick all summer. It has good touch and top speed. Ultimately, his ceiling will depend on how much of his raw power he can tap into as he matures. Grade: B
18. Reds: Cam Collier, 3B, Chipola College (FL)
The absolute best value first round pick. Collier is a draft team’s dream, having performed well against junior college tackles as a 17-year-old third baseman. He would be a defensive top five pick and could end up in the back end of the top 10. Getting him here, at pick 18, is a slam-dunk. Grade A
19. Track and field: Andrew Susac, C, Arizona
Susac likes to swing the bat and he likes to lift the ball, the latter allowing him to put up good power grades. Unfortunately, he could stand to walk more often and strike out less often, as he had a strikeout-to-walk ratio north of 2.20. Susac has a big arm, but will benefit from the implementation of the automated ball system. Grade: B
20. Braves: Owen Murphy, RHP, Riverside-Brookfield HS (IL)
Murphy is an exciting two-way player whose heat landed him in CBS Sports’ top 30. The Braves announced him as a right-handed pitcher, but will give him a shot as a two-way player. He shows some Jack Leiter-like hitting qualities as well as a lively fastball. Murphy needs to improve his flawless fastball and changeup if he wants to make the rotation, but he has plenty of time to figure it out. Grade: B
21. Mariners: Cole Young, SS, North Allegheny HS (PA)
Young is a well-rounded prep arm who lacks both a carry tool and an obvious flaw. A scout predicted to CBS Sports in the spring that he would be a top-10 pick in college.
