Written by Jim Collis at MLB.com
The 2017 Draft got underway on Monday night in Secaucus, with the Twins taking shortstop Royce Lewis with the first overall pick.
MLB.com Draft and prospect expert Jim Callis analyzes every pick from the first round.
ROUND 1
1. Minnesota Twins: SS Royce Lewis, JSerra Catholic (Calif.) HS
Callis: In a late decision, the Twins went with Lewis after strongly considering Louisville’s Brendan McKay with the top choice. While it might have been a surprise to some, he’s a legitimate No. 1 overall pick. He was in the top tier of five players in the mix for most teams at the top of the Draft. He has the best combination of tools of anyone in the Draft — including elite speed — and has a real knack for squaring up the ball.
2. Cincinnati Reds: RHP Hunter Greene, Notre Dame (Calif.) HS
Callis: This is the guy the Reds wanted. And even though he would have been a mid-first round pick as a position player, he’s definitely a pitcher for Cincinnati. He has one of the quicker arms we’ve ever seen in the Draft era, and his fastball – which has been clocked as high as 102 mph — is among the best ever among amateur hurlers.
3. San Diego Padres: LHP MacKenzie Gore, Whiteville (N.C.) HS
Callis: Gore is my favorite player in the Draft. I would have taken him No. 1 if it were my pick. He’s an athletic left-hander who can show you a 92-96 mph fastball, plus curve, and flash you a plus slider and changeup. He’s also a very good two-way player in a Draft loaded with them. It’s the first time since 1990 that the first three overall picks were all high schoolers.
4. Tampa Bay Rays: 1B Brendan McKay, University of Louisville
Callis: It’s appropriate that McKay went fourth because that’s also where Dave Winfield went in 1973, and Winfield is the only better two-way prospect in Draft history. I like him more as a position player and the Rays were the first team at the top of the Draft that preferred him that way. He was announced as a first baseman on the Draft broadcast, but I heard the Rays may give him a chance to do both. Stay tuned.
5. Atlanta Braves: RHP Kyle Wright, Vanderbilt
Callis: Wright, who was rumored to be the front-runner to go No. 1 as recently as a week ago, offers the best combination of floor and ceiling at the top of the Draft. He’s a future front-line starter who should get to Atlanta very quickly. Interesting that after all the talk of clubs cutting deals — which could theoretically cause top prospects to fall — the consensus five best players went with the first five picks.
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