As arguably the top prospect in the 2013 MLB Draft, Jonathan Gray “fell” all the way to the third overall pick on Thursday night after the Houston Astros made Stanford right-hander Mark Appel the first overall pick. Turns out returning to the Cardinal for his senior season and college degree wasn’t a bad decision after all.
The Chicago Cubs were the biggest winner in the first round as they split the top two pitchers at No. 2 with University of San Diego third baseman Kris Bryant, who was the top position player in this year’s draft. Chicago needs a future at that corner infield spot and the Cubs got their man in Bryant.
The top outfielders went 5th and 9th overall as the Cleveland Indians took Clint Frazier while Austin Meadows landed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The rest of the top 10 picks rounded out like this:
4. Minnesota Twins: Kohl Stewart, RHP, Houston-area high school
6. Miami Marlins: Colin Moran, 3B, North Carolina
7. Boston Red Sox: Trey Ball, LHP, Indiana high school
8. Kansas City Royals: Hunter Dosier, SS, Stephen F. Austin University
10. Toronto Blue Jays: Phil Bickford, RHP, Oaks Christian High School in Westlake, California
Of course, it remains to be seen which of these future stars will make a splash in the big leagues first, but hey, that’s the way baseball goes.
