On the first day of the 2016 MLB draft, the Los Angeles Dodgers showed clear preferences. With their first two picks, they chose up-the-middle guys who can play solid defense and make contact. With their final two picks, they nabbed power arms who’ve undergone Tommy John surgery.
The order of their picks was: Gavin Lux (No. 20 overall), Will Smith (No. 32), Jordan Sheffield (No. 36) and Mitchell White (No. 65, second round).
The first three picks were predicted by several experts, while the Dodgers’ final selection on Thursday seemingly came out of left field. Let’s take a look at the players who should become the newest prospects on the Dodgers’ farm.
The Dodgers had been attached to Lux nearly a month, with ESPN’s Keith Law noting the club’s interest in his first mock draft in the middle of May. Lux is one of the true shortstops in the draft, with natural actions, plenty of range and enough arm to stick at the position as a pro.
He also has potential with the bat, though a hitch in his swing will likely be eliminated to ensure his development. Lux’s speed is average and could drop a tick as he continues to mature physically, which in turn may increase his below-average power.
While Lux may not have been the biggest name on the board, he provides enough upside to justify being selected over players who fell on draft day due to signability or off-the-field concerns. His high floor makes him an attractive pick, as he’s likely to reach the Majors as a shortstop who can hit.
Lux didn’t face the stiffest of competition in Wisconsin this spring, so he won’t rocket through the system, but he could be the player to eventually push Corey Seager to third base.
CONTINUE READING: Louisville catcher makes late impression
Smith was a late-riser who was seen as possibly being the best all-around catcher in the class. He came out of nowhere this spring, establishing himself as one of the best players on one of the best teams in college baseball (Louisville).
After batting .221 as a freshman and .242 as a sophomore, Smith hit .380 entering the Super Regionals in the 2016 College Baseball Playoffs. He hit eight doubles and seven home runs in 53 games, and even stole nine bases in as many attempts.
Perhaps most impressively, Smith only struck out 12 times this year. He’s described as a quality receiver with average arm strength, but it plays up due to his extremely quick transfer and he’s consistently under two seconds to second base from behind the plate.
While catcher may not have been an organizational need, with Yasmani Grandal’s presence and Austin Barnes nipping at his heels, it goes to show the Dodgers value taking the best player available over trying fecklessly to address Major-League needs.
With Smith’s polished bat, he could move quickly through the Minors, potentially giving the Dodgers another Major League quality backstop in a few years.
CONTINUE READING: Third Vanderbilt pitcher selected since 2015 Draft
Another player who’d been connected to the Dodgers, Jordan Sheffield has some of the best pure stuff in the draft, flashing a double-plus fastball in the mid-90, along with a plus changeup and an average breaking ball.
He’s not the biggest guy, listed at just 5’11 and 185 lbs. but his stuff should play. Whether he remains a starter remains to be seen. Sheffield’s command can come and go, and the breaking ball isn’t a consistent offering yet.
His numbers (aside from BB/9) this year were solid and, most importantly, he pitched a full season as a starter. He’s already had Tommy John surgery and his lack of size doesn’t lend itself to durability.
If he doesn’t remain in the rotation, he could make a solid late-inning reliever. For the second time in as many years, the Dodgers went for a Vanderbilt starting pitcher.
Last year, it was Walker Buehler, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. The two should reunite next season in full-season ball.
CONTINUE READING: First day of picks concludes with Mitchell White
With their final pick on the first day of the draft, the Dodgers chose a guy who pitched his way into the top five rounds during his final two starts of the season.
Mitchell White, a right-hander out of Santa Clara, underwent Tommy John surgery out of high school and saw a late-season increase in his velocity and touched 96 mph 10 times in his final start, according to Baseball America.
However, in that game, White allowed six runs on 10 hits, and had four walks over seven innings. The Dodgers jumped on two players who saw their draft stock sky-rocket near draft day in Smith and White.
In his comments after the first two rounds of the draft concluded, Dodgers scouting director Billy Gasparino specifically made note of White’s late surge.
If White can sustain his increased velocity and continue to improve his command and secondary offerings, he has the chance to reach the majors in the rotation. Otherwise, his arm strength and solid cutter could land him in a bullpen role.