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With the 2018 MLB Draft beginning Monday afternoon, it’s time to analyze the possibilities for the Los Angeles Dodgers. They don’t pick until 30th overall, which is the last selection in the first round.
The Dodgers also hold the 68th pick at the end of the second round and the 104th pick at the end of the third round. The slot pick value for the 30th selection in this year’s Draft is $2,275,800, while the 68th pick valued at $917,000 and No. 104 is $538,800.
Los Angeles will be represented at the 2018 MLB Draft by Hall-of-Fame manager Tommy Lasorda and long-time scout and former player Bobby Darwin.
Draft History
Scouting director Billy Gasparino enters his fourth year heading up the Dodgers’ draft room. So far, he’s produced some top prospects in the first round. His first pick with the club, Walker Buehler, is a Rookie of the Year candidate this season.
The Dodgers’ top selection in 2016, Gavin Lux, is having a breakout campaign for High-A Rancho Cucamonga in the California League. Another first-rounder in 2016, Will Smith, has established himself as one of the better catching prospects in the Minors.
However, there seemingly have been some misses. Kyle Funkhouser, taken in the supplemental first round in 2015, didn’t sign and is now in the Detroit Tigers’ organization. Jordan Sheffield, a supplemental pick in 2016, is struggling with the Quakes and may end up in the bullpen.
And 2017 first rounder, Jeren Kendall, has yet to queit concerns about his ultimate upside with the bat.
Gasparino has shown a couple of types of players he goes for: highly-regarded prospects who have seen their stock drop and athletic, up-the-middle guys. Kendall was an early favorite to go No. 1 in the 2017 draft, while the likes of Buehler, Funkhouser and Sheffield had top-10 buzz in their respective springs.
Lux and Smith were late-risers who jumped into the first round conversation shortly before the festivities.
CONTINUE READING: Potential draft picks
Who’s the Pick?
The Dodgers have been primarily connected to prep bats as the draft approaches. Included below are several options who fit that profile and could be available for the organization.
Anthony Seigler, C/UT, GA HS
Seigler’s a personal favorite and perhaps the most unique profile in the class. A switch-hitting catcher who’s athletic enough to handle multiple positions and can also pitch with both hands.
He belongs in the same conversation as Austin Barnes, Will Smith and Connor Wong as backstops who can play the infield, though he’s good defensively and likely sticks behind the plate. Seigler hass got some upside on offense as well.
Alek Thomas, CF, IL HS
Thomas is athletic with a good hit tool and he should stick in center field, though at 5’11 and 175 lbs., the lack of size hinders his power projection.
Nick Schnell, CF, IN HS
Schnell is another late-riser thanks to a prodigious spring wherein he’s hit home runs at an alarming rate. Schnell is a multi-sport athlete with plenty of tools but a short history of performance.
Connor Scott, CF, FL HS
Scott draws comparisons to top Houston Astros prospect Kyle Tucker for being from the same school, having similar builds and not wearing batting gloves. Scott isn’t the pure hitter that Tucker was at the same stage, but he’s a better athlete, earning 70 grades on his speed and plenty of projection with the bat.
Parker Meadows, CF, GA HS
Brother of Austin Meadows, who just won National League Rookie of the Month for May, Parker doesn’t have the same profile but offers an intriguing skill set with his speed, arm and power grading as potentially plus. However, there are concerns over his ability to make contact.
There are certainly more options than the five listed above, though this group contains the players most likely to be selected when the Dodgers are up.
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