My goal with this article is to give you at least the first two rounds of players as you prepare for that draft. My guess is that your league-mates will not go this deep, so I’m hoping this will help you with at least your first five rounds.
As always, I look forward to your feedback.
| Rank | Name | Comment |
| 1 | Shoeni Ohtani (LAA, RHP/DH) | The logical number one pick but ONLY if you can compete in 2018 and 2019. If not, trade the pick or go with Luis Robert. |
| 2 | Luis Robert (CHW, OF) | Robert has the highest upside on this list with clear star potential. The question as with Yoan Moncada before him, will he hit enough? I think he will. |
| 3 | Royce Lewis (MIN, OF) | I was low on Lewis when the Twins drafted him 1:1 last June. I was wrong. Every report I’ve received has been very encouraging. |
| 4 | Hunter Greene (CIN, RHP) | Top flight skills combined with character could make Greene a special baseball player. Yeah, he’ll likely have TJ Surgery at some point and there’s always that risk, but the kid could be special. |
| 5 | MacKenzie Gore (SD, LHP) | I don’t like his size, but pitching for the Padres combined with great stuff and athleticism could make him a star. |
| 6 | Kyle Wright (ATL, RHP) | Wright could move very quickly with a 2019 major league debut definitely in the cards. High floor with a chance to be a number two starting pitcher. |
| 7 | Brendan McKay (TB, LHP/1B) | While all the hype is around Ohtani being a dual-player, McKay might have a better chance to accomplish. If not, the upside is a number 3, low-2 starter. |
| 8 | Keston Hiura (MIL, 2B) | If his arm troubles are behind him, Hiura has a chance to be a special hitter. A really nice pick if you are drafting mid-pack. |
| 9 | Jordan Adell (LAA, SS) | Very friendly fantasy tools but with most guys, will he hit enough? At this point, I’m not sure. |
| 10 | J.B. Bukauskas (HOU, RHP) | 6-feet right-handers don’t thrill me, but the stuff is great and the Astros just know how to develop players. |
| 11 | Pavin Smith (ARI, 1B) | Plus hit-tool and plus power are very alluring and give the Diamondbacks a nice alternative when Goldy exits stage-right after the 2019 season. |
| 12 | Alex Faedo (DET, RHP) | He didn’t get any time in professional ball after a long college season, but he has size and stuff that gives him a number two ceiling. |
| 13 | Heliot Ramos (SF, OF) | Had a terrific debut in the AZL that saw him post a 1.049 OPS. I don’t see that kind of upside, but he has the ceiling of a full-time major league outfield. |
| 14 | Nick Pratto (KC, 1B) | He’s a long way off, but with the Royals moving off from Eric Hosmer, he’ll be the first baseman in Kansas City in 2021-22. |
| 15 | Brent Rooker (MIN, OF) | He’s already 23-years-old but hit 11 home runs in 40-games in the FSL. That’s really hard to do. He could move very quickly and see Minnesota in 2019. |
| 16 | Nate Pearson (TOR, RHP) | Big with big current stuff and some athleticism. My love is starting to grow. |
| 17 | Adam Haseley (PHI, OF) | Haseley was taken eighth overall and while he can hit, I’m not convinced on how much power and speed he will eventually have. |
| 18 | Jake Burger (CHW, 3B) | Just another guy in the White Sox organization that can hit with power. |
| 19 | Evan White (Sea, 1B) | Evan White has two plus tools – hit and defend. The problem is he’s a first baseman and the jury is still out on how much power he will develop. If it sounds a lot like Dom Smith, you’re thinking what I am. |
| 20 | D.L. Hall (BAL, LHP) | Hall has a nice arm and throws from the correct side, but the Orioles history of developing pitchers who pitch for them is awful. Buyer beware. |
| 21 | Jeren Kendall (LAD, OF) | There is concern about Kendall’s contact rate but he has plus power and with some speed. Plus, the Dodgers are on an impressive run of drafting and developing players. |
| 22 | Logan Warmoth (TOR, SS) | Very simple swing that can also provide some power. Nice pick by Toronto with the 22nd pick. |
| 23 | Shane Baz (PIT, RHP) | Baz has good stuff, but I’m down on him because it will take 4-5 years to get through the system. If you have patience, take him earlier. |
| 24 | Bubba Thompson (TEX, OF) | A dual-sport athlete that is still learning to play baseball. He could turn into Anthony Alford or maybe the other Bubba. Not sure yet… |
| 25 | Tristen Lutz (MIL, OF) | If you like double-plus raw, Lutz is your guy. It will come with strikeouts and pressure on his batting average, but the power is for real. |
| 26 | Wander Franco (TB, SS) | The Rays spent almost $4 million dollars for Franco last June. He has double-plus speed and can hit, but you better be prepared to wait out his development path. It could take YEARS… |
| 27 | Seth Romero (WAS, LHP) | Has very good stuff but a past that suggest there could be some growing up to do. If the Nationals can work with him, the stuff will play. |
| 28 | Blayne Enlow (MIN, RHP) | He’s on nobody’s watch list. Take him late and thank me later. |
| 29 | Austin Beck (OAK, OF) | Beck was taken sixth and has premium bat speed. But I’m concerned about the hit tool. |
| 30 | Brendon Little (CHC, LHP) | I know several people who really like Little…guys I trust. He’s only 6-feet, but has good stuff and can throw strikes |
| 31 | Everson Pereira (NYY, OF) | The Yankees were at it again when they added Pereira last July. Kid is a plus runner with good bat speed. It’ll take a while, but there is definitely something there. |
| 32 | Eric Pardinho (TOR, RHP) | Somebody told me that Brazilian 17-year-old Eric Pardinho would be a Top 10 pitcher in the minor leagues inside of two -years. I haven’t seen him, but the hype might be starting. |
| 33 | Trevor Rogers (MIA ,LHP) | He was taken 11th overall, but I’m not yet a believer. |
| 34 | Tanner Houck (BOS, RHP) | Has a very nice fastball/slider combination but the delivery suggest a move to the bullpen. |
| 35 | Sam Carlson (Sea, RHP) | Carlson is young and projectable with stuff that is already very good. He was taken in the second round but could surprise quickly. |
