MLB Draft 2013: Greatest Bargains in Late 1st Round

We've seen countless examples of a player selected later in the MLB draft going on to explode in the pros.

In 2005, Jacoby Ellsbury was selected at No. 23 overall. Ellsbury was an All-Star and AL MVP candidate in 2011.

In 2009, the Los Angeles Angels drafted one Mike Trout at No. 25 overall. He's already considered one of the best players in baseball.

While there will always be top-tier prospects in every draft class, the MLB draft is different in that prospects generally spend years developing in the minor leagues before making the jump to the next level. Sometimes, in these few years, prospects improve dramatically, capitalizing on the lessons they learn along the way.

That's why projection is so important in the MLB draft. Just because a player isn't nearly where he needs to be now doesn't mean he can't be a solid pro, or even an All-Star.

Who are the greatest bargains in the late first round of the 2013 MLB draft? Well, I'll be the judge of that.

Aaron Judge, OF, Fresno State

Ironically, Aaron Judge also made it onto my list of the most polarizing prospects in the draft. 

Judge would be the second-tallest outfielder in Major League Baseball history if drafted (6'7", 255 pounds). But don't mistake him for a slow, lumbering player. He's incredibly athletic for his size, drawing comparisons to Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin.

Judge projects to rack up his fair share of strikeouts, but he also has big-time power, similar to Adam Dunn. If he can even hit .250 in the big leagues, he will have been well worth a late first-round pick.

Hunter Dozier, SS/3B, Stephen F. Austin  

Hunter Dozier is a shortstop now, but it's likely he will outgrow the position and become a third baseman in the pros.

Dozier doesn't have great range in the field, which makes him a better fit at third base anyway, but he has a strong arm. He also has above-average power for an infielder, as well as the ability to hit for contact, which makes it hard to believe he will fall out of the first round.

Austin Wilson, OF, Stanford

Austin Wilson was widely considered to be a first-round prospect coming out of high school. With a few years of college ball under his belt, he should be garnering even more buzz.

The big concern with Wilson is the fact that he sustained a bone bruise and a stress reaction above his elbow in his senior season, which limited him even when he returned to the field. 

But if you are comfortable with Wilson's health, the 6'5", 245-pounder has tremendous power and an above-average arm for a right fielder in the big leagues. He will need a little help with his hitting mechanics, but a few minor tweaks could pave the way for a strong MLB career down the road.