2010 MLB Draft Results: Recapping the Draft's First Round

Last year I did a live blog for Major League Baseball’s June Draft and it was a lot of fun. Unfortunately this year I was not able to do such because of work obligations. I wasn’t happy about it, but I don’t think I could have told my boss I have to leave a trade show early because I have to do a live blog.

I am confident in saying that wouldn’t have gone over so well.

Nonetheless, here is a recap of the 1st round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft.

1. Washington Nationals-Bryce Harper, C/OF

Not as hyped as Stephen Strasburg, but hyped none the less. The Nationals will groom him as an outfielder and he could be in the majors in less than three years.

2. Pittsburgh Pirates-Jameson Taillon, RHP

What a great name. It seems like forever since the Pirates have had a stud pitcher. Taillon could be that guy.

3. Baltimore Orioles-Manny Machado, SS

Machado has drawn comparisons to Alex Rodriguez mainly because he is a SS from Miami. However, this kid just looks like a superstar. Great pick by the Orioles.

4. Kansas City Royals-Christian Colon, SS

Colon can play short or second. Considering the Royals need both, Colon might find himself in the majors rather quickly.

5. Cleveland Indians-Drew Pomeranz, LHP

This big lefty from Ole Miss has a delivery very similar to Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester.

6. Arizona Diamondbacks-Barret Loux, RHP

Another great name. Loux is similar to Mike Leake where he gets hitters out by changing speeds rather than blowing people away. I wonder if Leake wasn’t having the success he is having if Loux gets drafted this high.

7. New York Mets-Matt Harvey, RHP

A starting pitcher from North Carolina who throws a 95-plus fastball, but lacks a secondary pitch and will be groomed as a reliever. Sounds like Daniel Bard 2.0 to me.

8. Houston Astros- Delino DeShields Jr., CF

Hopefully for DeShields Jr. the only thing he won’t be remembered for is being traded for a Hall of Fame pitcher like his father was. His father was traded straight up to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Pedro Martinez. Whoops.

9. San Diego Padres-Karsten Whitson, RHP

What is it with the names in this draft class? They are phenomenal. I thought the Padres would have gone offense here but, Whitson is a high school pitcher the Padres couldn’t pass up.

10. Oakland A’s-Michael Choice, OF

Choice is a big time power hitter. Best case scenario—Ryan Howard. Worst case scenario—Wily Mo Pena.

11. Toronto Blue Jays- Deck McGuire, RHP

I love the Georgia Tech pedigree. He could be this year’s version of Mike Leake.

12. Cincinnati Reds-Yasmani Grandel, C

A switch hitting catcher from the University of Miami. The Reds are loading up for the World Series runs in 2012, 13, and 14.

13. Chicago White Sox-Chris Sale, LHP

There are a lot of durability concerns about Sale. This 6′6″ lefty projects to be a relief pitcher.

14. Milwaukee Brewers-Dylan Covey, RHP

Another high school pitcher. While Covey is a big time talent, he won’t be able to help the Brewers for at least another couple of years.

15. Texas Rangers-Jake Skole, OF

Has a scholarship offer to play baseball and football at Georgia Tech. Looks as if he will pass that up to play for the Rangers. Projects as a corner OF.

16. Chicago Cubs-Hayden Simpson, RHP

A surprise pick by the Cubs. I don’t think too many scouts had Simpson going in the first round.

17. Tampa Bay Rays-Josh Sale, OF

A top-10 prospect coming into the draft that slipped to 16 for the Rays. Sale is a big bopper, but isn’t as athletic as Rays’ players usually are.

18. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim-Kaleb Cowart, SS/P

It will be interesting to see what the Angels do with Cowart. He could be a switch hitting 3B or a starting pitcher.

19. Houston Astros-Mike Foltynewicz, RHP

The best high school pitcher in the upper-mid west, Foltynewicz throws in the low-90’s. Watching Bud Selig trying to pronounce his name was comic relief.

20. Boston Red Sox-Kolbrin Vitek, 2B

What ever happened to names like Jim Smith or Matt Davis? Vitek is a right-handed power hitter, who will be groomed as a third baseman.

21. Minnesota Twins-Alex Wimmers, RHP

Wimmers is a classic Twins pitcher. He doesn’t overpower hitters and just pounds the strike zone.

22. Texas Rangers-Kellin Deglan, C

The Rangers thought they had a surplus of catchers in their system, but now not so much. Deglan had a pre-draft deal with the Rangers and signed for $1 million.

23. Florida Marlins-Christian Yelich, 1B/OF

With Logan Morrison in the Marlins’ system, Yelich might be shifted to the OF full time. Reminds many of James Loney.

24. San Francisco Giants-Gary Brown, CF

The second Cal State Fullerton player taken in the first round (Colon being the first), Brown can fly. He should be able to cover plenty of ground in the spacious AT&T Park.

25. St. Louis Cardinals-Zack Cox, 3B

The best college hitter in this year’s draft, the Cardinals lucked out with this pick. More of a line drive hitter than a power hitter.

26. Colorado Rockies-Kyle Parker, OF

Parker threw for 2,526 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2009 for Clemson. Parker could be a top-five pick in the NFL Draft in three years, so the Rockies will be hard pressed to sign him.

27. Philadelphia Phillies-Jesse Biddle, LHP

Biddle has drawn comparisons to Clayton Kershaw. Biddle is a local product from Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia.

28. Los Angeles Dodges-Zach Lee, RHP

Signability will be a big issue with Lee as he has a two sport scholarship offer from LSU. He is one of the best high school QB’s in the country.

29. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim-Cam Bedrosian, RHP

The son of former NL Cy Young award winner Steve Bedrosian, it’s a prerequisite that Bedrosian grow a beard like his father had.

30. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim-Chevy Clarke, CF

I guess when you lose your entire team in the offseason, you are going to have plenty of draft picks the next year. Clarke is the third Angels pick in the first round. Clarke is a switch-hitter, who can run all over the field.

31. Tampa Bay Rays-Justin O’Connor, C

O’Connor can pitch, catch, and play short, but the Rays will bring him along as a catcher. Perhaps this makes up for not drafting Buster Posey a couple of years ago.

32. New York Yankees-Cito Culver, SS

Culver a SS from Rochester, NY was committed to the University of Maryland. I don’t see that happening anymore. Work ethic has been an issue at times with Culver.

That concludes the first round of the 2010 Draft. I am going to say that Manny Machado becomes the best hitter to come out of this draft and Deck McGuire will be the best pitcher. Bedrosian won’t be too far behind as best pitcher.

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