From left to right: Jackson Flora, Roch Cholowsky, Grady Emerson Illustration: Kelsea Petersen / The Athletic; Mike Janes / Associated Press, Tracy Profitt / Associated Press, Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
This draft class started off in much more promising fashion than it’s ending, as the top tier of the high school group never really took off, and the depth among college arms just isn’t there. There’s still plenty of value here, particularly for teams drafting in the 20-50 range, and there’s overall quite a bit of depth in the high school pitching crop — not my preferred demographic up top, but a great pond in which to fish after your first pick.
This is a ranking, not a mock draft, so the players’ rank order has nothing to do with where I think they’ll be drafted. It’s based on my own in-person evaluations, video, data and, most importantly, conversations with scouts, executives and analysts with MLB teams. I don’t consider signability/bonus demands when I have it, which right now is close to “not at all” anyway.
I will update this list as the draft approaches, since many players are still playing and some will go to play in summer leagues or work out for teams.
(Note: Scouting grades are on the traditional 20-80 scale.)
