Skip to main content

2019 MLB Draft Team Grades

2019 MLB Draft Team Grades

Despite Major League Baseball making more than twice as much revenue as the NBA (yes, really), their draft is nowhere near as widely covered. It makes sense, of course, because NBA draft picks contribute right away whereas MLB players can’t make the jump for two years at the very earliest, and more often, four or five seasons. Since you likely don’t know the draft prospects, I’m here today to tell you which teams nailed their picks before eventually providing draft grades for every MLB organization.

Import your team to My Playbook for instant Lineup & Trade advice partner-arrow

#5 Washington Nationals

Best picks: Jackson Rutledge (SP), Drew Mendoza (3B), Bryce Osmond (SS/SP), Matt Cronin (RP), Tyler Dyson (RP)
The Nationals were able to grab some quick moving relievers in the 4th and 5th round between lefty, Matt Cronin and Florida righty, Tyler Dyson. Rutledge was a no-brainer when he fell all the way to pick 17. The 6’8″ JUCO fireballer has as much upside as any pitcher in the draft but is a bit raw. Their best pick, however, may have been nabbing Drew Mendoza in the 3rd round. In him, they’ve got themselves an Adam Dunn like third baseman, who mind you, carried an .854 OPS through 14 MLB seasons. Finally, nabbing two-way prep star, Bryce Osmand in the 35th could further boost this draft class if they are able to sign him away from Oklahoma State.

#4 Cincinnati Reds

Best picks: Nick Lodolo (SP), Rece Hinds (SS), Tyler Callihan (2B/3B), Ivan Johnson (2B)
Not only did the Reds land the best pitcher in the draft according to most publications, but they grabbed three of my top 30 players with the 7th, 49th and 85th picks. Nick Lodolo doesn’t have prototypical ace stuff, but is a good bet to be a #3 or #2 pitcher for a long time like fellow big lefty, Jon Lester. Rece Hinds, meanwhile, has the most power in the draft outside Andrew Vaughn. If the Reds can sign him away from his LSU commitment, they’ll have a project on their hands, but one who was once considered a potential top 5 pick. I’m not sure how Callihan dropped as far as he did, as the left-handed utility man has a safe floor with plenty of projection added in.

#3 Kansas City Royals

Best picks: Bobby Witt Jr. (SS), Brady McConnell (SS), Justin Hooper (SP), John Rave (OF), Alec Marsh (SP), Grant Gambrell (SP)
Although Adley Rutschman was the clear 1.1 pick in this draft, it is Witt who has the most upside in the draft. He has the speed and bat to become the next Trea Turner, but it doesn’t end there. He is a potential gold glove shortstop who has raw power and can already reach 110+ MPH exit velocities in high school. They didn’t pick again until pick #44 due to the compensation and sandwich picks before the start of the 2nd. They sure did make the pick count, adding another athletic middle infielder with potential at the plate in Brady McConnell. The pick that will go unnoticed by many that in my opinion, made the difference between a good draft and a great draft, was 14th rounder, Justin Hooper. Prior to his Tommy John surgery, there were plenty of outlets who considered him a likely first round pick with true ace upside. Now, we’ll see what the Royals have when he finally returns but don’t be surprised if the 6’8″ lefty becomes a lights out starter again.

#2 Arizona Diamondbacks

Best picks: Corbin Carroll (OF), Brennan Malone (SP), Blake Walston (SP), Jerrion Ealy (OF), Drey Jameson (SP/RP), Ryne Nelson (RP),  Dylan Eskew (SP), Spencer Brickhouse (1B), Dominic Fletcher (OF), Tristin English (1B/RP), Glenallen Hill Jr. (SS), Tommy Henry (SP/RP),
Holy motherload! The Diamondbacks were fortunate enough to own 4 of the top 34 picks and 8 of the top 100, and boy did they ever make the most of it. Carroll does everything well, and while he may never be a superstar, Arizona may have another A.J. Pollock on their hands in him. Malone and Walston are classic high-upside prep arms, then the Diamondbacks loaded up on a future pen with Jameson, Nelson, Henry and potentially English with 4 of their next 5 picks. As if that wasn’t enough, power-hitter, Spencer Brickhouse, was one of my favorite sleepers in the class then they took a chance on signing five-star running backs, Jerrion Ealy away from his Ole Miss.

#1 New York Mets

Best picks: Matthew Allan (SP), Brett Baty (3B), Hunter Barco (SP), Josh Wolf (SP)
This ranking isn’t a lock, as the Mets will, of course, have to sign the players. With that said, if you thought the Reds trio of picks was impressive, this one blows it out of the water. Allan is my favorite pitcher from the draft if they are willing to convince him with the big bucks to forgo his commitment to Florida. If not, don’t be surprised if Allan is the 1.1 pick in 2022. If they can find a way to sign both he and fellow Gators recruit, Hunter Barco, they may have a pair of aces on their hand. If not for signability issues and being shut down prior to the draft, Barco may have snuck into the top 10 picks. Furthermore, the Mets grabbed Brett Baty in the 1st, who has the power upside of the Hoover Dam. Think Miguel Sano with a likely underslot signing bonus. Josh Wolf is another upside prep arm with body projectability and top-notch intangibles to go with it.

All Draft Grades

#1 Mets (Grade: A+, if they don’t sign Matthew Allan or Hunter Barco, it’s a C+. If they sign both, it’s an A+++)
#2 Diamondbacks (Grade: A+, if they sign both Brennan Malone and Jerrion Ealy, it’s an A++)
#3 Royals (Grade: A)
#4 Reds (Grade: A, if they don’t sign Rece Hinds, it’s a B+)
#5 Nationals (Grade: A, if they sign Bryce Osmond, it’s an A+)
#6 Marlins (Grade: A)
#7 Twins (Grade: A-)
#8 Rays (Grade: A-)
#9 Orioles (Grade: A-)
#10 Dodgers (Grade: B+)
#11 Pirates (Grade: B+)
#12 Tigers (Grade: B)
#13 Indians (Grade: B)
#14 Braves (Grade: B)
#15 Angels (Grade: B-, if they sign Spencer Jones, it’s the 2nd best draft and an A+)
#16 Mariners (Grade: B-)
#17 Red Sox (Grade: B-)
#18 White Sox (Grade: B-)
#19 Padres (Grade: C+, if they sign Maurice Hampton, it’s an A-)
#20 Giants (Grade: C+, If they sign Brooke Lee, it’s a B+)
#21 A’s (Grade: C+)
#22 Phillies (Grade: C+)
#23 Blue Jays (Grade: C)
#24 Yankees (Grade: C, if they sign Jack Leiter, it’s an A-)
#25 Cardinals (Grade: C, if they sign Tre Fletcher, it’s a B+, if they sign him and Chris Newell, it’s an A-)
#26 Rockies (Grade: C)
#27 Brewers (Grade: C-)
#28 Rangers (Grade: C-)
#29 Cubs (Grade: C-)
#30 Astros (Grade: D+)

Check out our top 250 MLB Prospects including where these players and international prospects slot in ($)partner-arrow>

More Articles

Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Grades & Start/Sit Advice: Week 1 (2024)

Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Grades & Start/Sit Advice: Week 1 (2024)

fp-headshot by FantasyPros Staff | 5 min read
Fantasy Baseball Trade Value Chart: Michael Harris II, Zach Eflin, Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2024)

Fantasy Baseball Trade Value Chart: Michael Harris II, Zach Eflin, Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2024)

fp-headshot by FantasyPros Staff | 10 min read
MLB DFS, PrizePicks & Underdog Player Props Picks: Thursday (3/28)

MLB DFS, PrizePicks & Underdog Player Props Picks: Thursday (3/28)

fp-headshot by Josh Shepardson | 1 min read
Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Jordan Romano, Michael Kopech, Paul Sewald (2024)

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Jordan Romano, Michael Kopech, Paul Sewald (2024)

fp-headshot by Austin Lowell | 4 min read

About Author

Hide

Current Article

3 min read

Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Grades & Start/Sit Advice: Week 1 (2024)

Next Up - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Grades & Start/Sit Advice: Week 1 (2024)

Next Article