Scouting The Draft: 2017 Draft Review #1-10

2017 MLB draftees have now had 3 pro seasons and 2 full seasons to show their baseball chops.  A few have even reached the major leagues.  This makes a nice time to check in on their progress.  We scouted the 2017 draft quite heavily so most of the names should ring a bell.   As in past reviews, we'll assign grades which are for current overall progress/development only, not necessarily future value.  Also they are just for fun.  Stats are for 2019 unless indicated otherwise.

#1.  Twins:  Royce Lewis SS, HS.

A+:  .238/.289/.376, 17 2B, 3 3B, 10 HR, 16 SB, 6.5 BB%, 21.5 K%, 418 PA.
AA:  .231/.291/.358, 9 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 6 SB, 7.4 BB%, 22.3 K%, 148 PA.

Loved the athleticism, questioned the bat.  Bat started out looking great but struggled with aggressive promotion.  Grade B.

#2.  Reds:  Hunter Greene RHP, HS.

DNP.

2-way HS player drafted as a RHP.  Triple digit velocity.  Missed 2019 with TJ surgery.  Track record for these situations is not great.  Could fall back on the bat if the pitching thing does not work out.  Grade D.

#3.  Padres:  Mackenzie Gore LHP, HS.

A+:  7-1, 1.02, 79.1 IP, 12.48 K/9, 2.27 BB/9.
AA:  2-1, 4.15, 21.2 IP, 10.38 K/9, 3.32 BB/9.

Did not have elite velocity, but had the best combination of stuff and advanced pitchability in the draft.  Total domination of A+.  Less so after aggressive promotion to AA.  Still an elite pitching prospect.  Grade A.

#4.  Rays:  Brendan McKay LHP/1B, College(Lousville).

AA:  3-0, 1.30, 41.2 IP, 13.39 K/9, 1.94 BB/9.  .167/.256/.192, 90 PA.
AAA:  3-0, 0.84, 32 IP, 11.25 K/9, 2.53 BB/9.  .239/.346/.493, 5 HR, 78 PA.
MLB:  2-4, 5.14, 49 IP, 10.29 K/9, 2.94 BB/9.  .200/.273/.500, HR, 11 PA.

Unique prospect with potential to be a true 2-way player in MLB, although most likely will mainly pitch.  ERA was high in MLB debut but peripherals remained strong.  Grade A.


#5.  Braves:  Kyle Wright RHP, College(Vanderbilt).

AAA:  11-4, 4.17, 112.1 IP, 9.29 K/9, 2.80 BB/9.
MLB:  0-3, 8.69, 19.2 IP, 8.24 K/9, 5.95 BB/9.

Elite college RHP with both strong stuff and pitchability.  Widely thought to be most MLB ready player in the draft.  Has moved fast with aggressive promotions but has failed to look like an ace and has struggled at MLB level.  Will likely get more chances, but in this business you have to show your stuff quickly or the chances dry up.  Grade C.

#6.  A's:  Austin Beck OF, HS.

A+:  .251/.302/.411, 22 2B, 4 3B, 8 HR, 6.5 BB%, 34.3 K%, 367 PA.

Caught helium late in the draft cycle.  This is what bothers me about Billy Owens as a GM candidate.  He's reputed to fall in love with toolsy kids and advocate passionately for them.  I don't know if he's the reason why the A's drafted Beck and Kyler Murray, but the story fits the situations.  Kids like this have upside, but are extremely risky.  Grade C.

#7.  D'Backs:  Pavin Smith 1B, College(Virginia).

AA:  .291/.370/.466, 29 2B, 6 3B, 12 HR, 2 SB, 11.6 BB%, 12.0 K%, 507 PA.

Thought by many to be the best pure hitter in the draft, but stuck in 1B/DH only prison.  Terrific contact numbers with gap power, but will likely need to show more power to make it in his demographic.  Grade B.

#8.  Phillies:  Adam Haseley OF, College(Virginia).

AA:  .267/.353/.485, 8 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 4 SB, 11.1 BB%, 18.4 K%, 190 PA.
AAA:  .294/.377/.471, 6 2B, 2 HR, SB, 10.3 BB%, 17 9 K%,  78 PA.
MLB:  .266/.324/.396, 14 2B, 5 HR, 4 SB, 5.8 BB%, 24.8 K%, 242 PA.

Fast ascent to majors with decent rookie numbers.  Probably has to play CF for the bat to play.  Grade B+.

#9.  Brewers:  Keston Hiura 2B, College(UC Irvine).

AAA:  .329/.407/.681, 16 2B, 3B, 19 HR, 9.5 BB%, 26.3 K%, 243 PA.
MLB:  .303/.368/.570, 23 2B, 2 3B, 19 HR, 7.2 BB%, 30.7 K%, 348 PA.

Elite hit tool with a power breakout of 38 HR across 2 levels in 2019.  Still defensively challenged even for 2B.  May end up as a 1B, but if he can sustain numbers, who cares?  Grade A.

#10.  Angels:  Jo Adell OF, HS.

AA:  .308/.390/.553, 15 2B, 8 HR, 6 SB, 10.4 BB%, 22.5 K%, 182 PA.
AAA:  .264/.321/.355, 11 2B, SB, 7.6 BB%, 32.6 K%, 132 PA.

I thought Adell was the most physical hitter in the draft if he could just make contact.  So far the hit tool has been better than expected and he has moved fast.  An elite power hitting prospect.  Grade A.