The Major League Baseball draft is upon us again.
MLB's draft lacks the fanfare of the NFL and NBA drafts, and its top prospects are only familiar to the most hard core of baseball fans. No one here even comes close to matching the name recognition of a Zion Williamson or Kyler Murray.
To help bring you up to speed some, here's a look at five of the players who are expected to go at the top of Monday's draft in Secaucus, New Jersey. Unfortunately for local baseball fans, these prospects will be longshots to land with the Mets or Yankees, who own the 12th and 30th picks in the first round, respectively.
Adley Rutschman, C, Oregon State
The seemingly consensus No. 1 pick in this year's draft is the backstop for the Beavers. The 6-foot-2, 216-pound Rutschman has hit a scorching .419 this year with 17 homers while driving in 57 runs. The most encouraging thing about Rutschman may be his discipline at the plate, as he increased his walk total by 20 from last season, showing some real growth.
With the Orioles sitting on the top pick this year, Rutschman may make sense, as the O's are not nearly experienced enough behind the plate for them to not take a chance on Rutschman. The two active catchers on the roster in Baltimore have less than 500 at-bats combined.
Andrew Vaughn 1B, California
Vaughn did something last year that few have done -- he had more home runs (23) than strikeouts (18) in 54 games. While he won't do that again this year, the 6-foot, 214-pound first baseman could bring some pop to a Kansas City team that is looking to return to their World Series form of earlier this decade. The Royals pick second.
Nick Lodolo, P, TCU
Lodolo is billed to go as the first pitcher in the draft. Once drafted by Pittsburgh in 2016, Lodolo decided instead to try to develop in the Big 12 for the Horned Frogs. The lanky southpaw sits in the low- to mid- 90s on his fastballs that tend to have a bit of movement.
If he mixes and matches his fastball well with his changeup, Lodolo could help the White Sox rotation fairly soon. The White Sox, who pick third, had the fifth-worst ERA in the majors last year and could use a lefty, with only three currently on the 40-man roster.
Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Colleyville Heritage High School (Texas)
Witt seems to be the rare and coveted five-tool shortstop. A strong arm for throws in the hole and speed to beat out infield dribblers make Witt an appetizing pick. The Gatorade National High School Baseball Player of the Year is currently committed to play ball for the Oklahoma Sooners next year, but don't be surprised if he foregoes that in pursuit of Major League dreams.
Witt is the son of former major leaguer Bobby Witt, who played 16 seasons in the bigs for seven different teams, including the Marlins, who may be able to snag his son with the No. 4 pick.
JJ Bleday, OF, Vanderbilt
Bleday made his presence known as soon as he stepped on campus for the Commodores. He earned a starting spot immediately and he has been their best hitter since the beginning of last year. Despite missing six weeks of his sophomore campaign because of an oblique strain, Bleday was named the top prospect in the 2018 Cape Cod Baseball League, the hallowed summer league played in Massachusetts.
Bleday led the NCAA with 25 home runs this past regular season, and he seems to have positioned himself to be the first outfielder taken in the draft.
