Major League Baseball's amateur draft commenced on Sunday night, marking an important event for teams looking to bolster their future talent pool. The Cleveland Guardians took center stage as they selected Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana with the coveted first overall pick. This was a historic moment for the Guardians, as it was the first time in the franchise's history that they held the No. 1 pick. Previously, the highest they had picked was second, a position they have held five times, most recently in 1992.
The opening night of the draft saw a flurry of activity with a total of 74 picks made, spanning the first and second rounds along with several compensatory and supplementary selections. For baseball enthusiasts, the excitement continues as the draft resumes at 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, with many promising talents still on the board.
Notable Picks and Player Insights
Bazzana's selection as the top pick punctuated the evening, but several other players have garnered attention. Among them is Dakota Jordan, an outfielder from Mississippi State, currently ranked No. 28 on the top-50 list. Jordan’s impressive physical tools come with notable potential, but his play in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) has highlighted areas in need of improvement, notably his 31% strikeout rate. According to one insider, "There's star-level upside if Jordan's employer can help him maximize his traits."
Joey Oakie, a right-handed pitcher from Ankeny Centennial High School in Iowa, also made waves. Ranked No. 42, Oakie’s distinctive delivery combines a fastball-slider mix from a flat release point, making him a standout selection. Dax Whitney, another right-handed pitcher from Blackfoot High School in Idaho, has shown a significant improvement in his velocity, earning him the No. 45 spot on the rankings.
Promising Outfielders and Pitchers
Mike Sirota, an outfielder from Northeastern, stands out with his plate discipline. Ranked No. 47, Sirota consistently walked more frequently than he struck out this season and also had a strong performance in the Cape Cod League last summer. Drew Beam from Tennessee, ranked No. 49, is another name to watch, with one source suggesting that "Beam ought to still come off the board somewhat early on Day 2."
Josh Hartle, a left-handed pitcher from Wake Forest, had a challenging season with a 5.79 ERA over 15 games. On the other hand, Tristan Smith from Clemson showed promise as a southpaw but struggled with control, issuing more than six walks per nine innings over two seasons with the Tigers.
Collegiate Stars with Potential
Kevin Bazzell of Texas Tech batted .330/.431/.530 with 16 home runs over his collegiate career, overcoming a bout with mononucleosis earlier this year. Bazzell is projected to transition to catcher at the next level, with one observer noting, "In addition to projecting as a catcher at the next level, Bazzell was an accomplished collegiate hitter."
Peyton Stovall, a second baseman from Arkansas, impressed with his .315/.390/.532 slash line in conference play. Virginia Tech's Carson DeMartini, who hit 21 home runs this season but struggled with a nearly 28% strikeout rate, rounds out the list of notable collegiate players who could make an impact at the professional level.
The first night of the MLB amateur draft provided a glimpse into the future of baseball, with the Cleveland Guardians making a historic selection and a host of other promising players poised to rise. As the draft continues, teams will look to further fortify their rosters with young talent, while players will aim to turn their potential into major league success.