The Draft: MLB's Top 5 Picks

Here is a recap of the top 5 picks in the 2013 MLB Draft. Some vitals and analysis from multiple sources.

1.  Mark Appel (Astros)  RHP

Born: 7/15/1991
Hometown: Houston, TX
High School: Monte Vista (CA)
College: Stanford (Sr.)
Height/Weight: 6’5/215
B/T: R/R

Scouting Reports and Quotes:

Astros GM Jeff Luhnow told reporters, including Alyson Footer of MLB.com (via ) Houston viewed Mark Appel as the pick to beat throughout the scouting year and never saw a player who became more appealing than the right-hander.

Source: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/mark-appel/

Appel was also one of the top prospects in last year's draft. The Pittsburgh Pirates took him with the eighth pick of the draft and ultimately offered him a $3.8M signing bonus, which was nearly one million dollars above the slot recommendation. Appel rejected the Pirates' offer and returned to Stanford for his senior season.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1578503-2013-mlb-draft-scouting-top-overall-prospect-mark-appel

Keith Law, ESPN: "Still clearly the best player in this draft, boasting stuff, command, an out-pitch in his slider, a good delivery and athleticism."

Source: http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9177224/mark-appel-jonathan-gray-top-prospects-2013-mlb-draft

Improved consistency and pitching intelligence that should come with experience could vault him to another level. Once stuff and command come together, he has an outside chance to become a top of the rotation starter and consistent All-Star caliber pitcher.

Source: http://baseballprospectnation.com/2012/03/12/draft-scouting-report-mark-appel-rhp/

2. Kris Bryant (Cubs)  1B/3B

Born: 1/4/1992
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
High School: Bonanza HS (NV)
College: San Diego University (Jr.)
Height/Weight:  6’5/215
B/T: R/R

Scouting Reports and Quotes:

In his current campaign, Bryant has already shattered the University of San Diego’s single-season home run total with 31 in 62 games, and has personally out-homered a majority of NCAA Division I teams.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1639716-kris-bryant-prospect-profile-and-full-draft-scouting-report-for-3bof-prospect

“Best college position player in the draft with middle-of-the-order potential and good polish.”...  Hitting ability projects pretty well to average level with good bat speed, an ability to adjust, a solid approach and a level of intelligence that suggests continued improvements can be made. Power is exceptional and could make him a star-level player. Defensive profile fits best in right field with solid range, good instincts and an above-average arm.”

Source: http://baseballprospectnation.com/2013/05/16/scouting-report-kris-bryant-3bof/

“Kris had an incredible season at San Diego, hitting for both power and average,” said Jason McLeod, Cubs Vice President of Scouting and Player Development. “He is a big, strong, athletic player, and we feel he has the attributes of someone who could fit into the middle of a lineup at the major league level. He has the ability to hit for average along with power to all parts of the park.”

Source: http://wgntv.com/2013/06/07/cubs-nab-kris-bryant-with-their-1-pick/#ixzz2VYWfZ2cw

3. Jonathan Gray (Rockies) RHP

Born: 11/5/1991
Hometown: Chandler, OK
High School: Chandler HS (OK)
College: University of Oklahoma (Jr.)
Height/Weight: 6’4/234
B/T: R/R

Scouting Reports and Quotes:

Gray also raised a few eyebrows before the draft, testing positive for Adderall without a prescription according to ESPN’s Keith Law. Gray will not be suspended since he was not yet a professional player, but he'll surely face additional scrutiny moving forward... Like fellow top pitching prospect Mark Appel, Gray is very seasoned and should make the jump to the majors before long...Don't be surprised to see Gray appearing in the big leagues as soon as the 2015 season.

-Timothy Rapp

Source:  http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1662030-jonathan-gray-drafted-no-3-overall-in-2013-mlb-draft-by-colorado-rockies

"Jonathan has a power arm and he is a great competitor," Rockies vice president of scouting Bill Schmidt said in a news release. "Jonathan is a good kid who we feel has a chance to be a quality starting major-league pitcher."

Source: http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_23406234/colorado-rockies-hold-no-3-pick-mlb-draft

On his best day, Gray is unhittable. He can touch triple digits, but sits more around 94 to 98 miles per hour with late life. His devastating slider was unfair in Big 12 play, and that pitch can also reach 91 mph....Gray's probably a year and a half away from sticking in a big league rotation, but he must prove that his stuff will carry over to a shorter rest schedule.

Source: http://www.purplerow.com/2013/6/6/4402838/2013-mlb-draft-results-jonathan-gray-colorado-rockies

Looking at his stuff, he is a top of the rotation guy. Not a #2 or 3 but a true #1. He pounds the strike zone, he works inside and out. He has good downhill plane on his stuff.

Source: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/3/28/4148614/2013-mlb-draft-profile-jonathan-gray-rhp-oklahoma

4. Kohl Stewart (Twins) RHP

Born: 10/7/1994
Hometown: Houston, TX
High School: St. Pius X (TX)
College: Commit Texas A&M (Baseball & Football QB)
Height/Weight:  6'3/190
B/T:  R/R

Scouting Reports and Quotes:

Twins scouting director Deron Johnson-"He was the best prospect on the board left for us. It just so happened to be a high school right-hander. I think his ceiling is unlimited. I think he has the makeup and attributes to be a front-end starter. I'm not going to sit here and say he's going to be a No. 1, but he has the ability and athleticism to be as good as the guys taken ahead of him."

Source: http://aarongleeman.com/2013/06/07/twins-draft-texas-high-school-pitcher-kohl-stewart-with-no-4-pick/

Mark Anderson, Baseball Prospect Nation: "Huge risk associated with him because he is so raw and there are unknowns with the developmental path once he focuses on baseball. Boom or bust type."

Source: http://baseballprospectnation.com/2013/04/30/scouting-report-kohl-stewart-rhp/

Though he is a Type 1 diabetic, there aren't too many concerns about his physicality. Big and durable, the only thing that could really impact Stewart's status is what it will take to sign him away from the gridiron.

Source: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48186098&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

Stewart has already thrown pitches clocked as high as 97 mph for his team at St. Pius X High School in Houston, Texas. By many, he is reported as having perhaps the highest ceiling overall in the draft.

Source: http://www.twinkietown.com/2013/6/7/4405054/twins-draft-kohl-stewart-in-1st-round-ryan-eades-in-2nd-round-in

5. Clint Frazier (Indians)  OF

Born: 9/7/1994
Hometown: Loganville, GA
High School: Loganville HS (GA)
College: Commit, University of Georgia
Height/Weight: 6’1/190
B/T: R/R

Scouting Reports and Quotes:

Despite not being a particularly big guy, Frazier has exceptional bat speed that he generates thanks to his impressive present strength and very quick hands. Accordingly, there's a lot of raw power in his swing, but Frazier has also shown the ability to consistently square the ball up and drive it to all fields.

http://www.coast2coastprospects.com/clint-frazier.html

Matt Garrioch, Minor League Ball: "Everything you have read about gritty players can be said about Frazier. The difference is everything you've heard about 5 tool players can be said as well."

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/10/30/3527730/2013-draft-profile-clint-frazier-of-g

Dave Perkin, Sports Illustrated: "He has legitimate five-tool talent, possesses electric bat speed and is tremendously fast, which allows him to steal bases and be an outstanding defensive player. His closest major league comparison is probably Pirates star Andrew McCutchen."

Twitchy athlete with good present strength and some physical projection remaining. Exceptional power prospect. Absolutely elite bat speed and top-of-the-scale raw power. Hit tool has to develop, including plate coverage, pitch recognition and approach but has the elite bat speed to cover some weaknesses in the overall hitting approach.

http://baseballprospectnation.com/2013/04/26/scouting-report-clint-frazier-of/