Checking in on Alex Bregman and last year's top 5 MLB picks – NOLA.com
In a year with no consensus top player, the Philadelphia Phillies led off Major League Baseball’s draft Thursday by taking Mickey Moniak, a high school outfielder from California.
It could be a while before we’ll have a sense of whether Moniak is worthy of that selection. Even the top picks need time to develop, and that certainly figures to be true of Moniak, who was the first prep outfielder taken No. 1 since Tampa Bay drafted Delmon Young in 2003.
For a sense of where Moniak and the other top picks might be a year from now, here’s a look at last season’s top five — and how they’re doing:
DANSBY SWANSON, SS, DIAMONDBACKS
After taking Swanson with the No. 1 pick last year, Arizona traded him to Atlanta in an offseason deal that sent Shelby Miller to the Diamondbacks. Swanson posted a .967 OPS in 21 games with Class A Carolina this season, then was promoted to Double-A Mississippi at the end of April.
ALEX BREGMAN, SS, ASTROS
Bregman has been sensational with the bat this year at Double-A Corpus Christi, hitting .314 with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs in 49 games. It will be interesting to see how the Astros handle their infield if Bregman keeps progressing, since they already have a terrific young shortstop in Carlos Correa.
BRENDAN RODGERS, SS, ROCKIES
Rodgers got off to a very good start this year at Class A Asheville, but he has slowed down offensively over the last month. He’s hitting .285 with eight home runs in 200 at-bats on the season.
DILLON TATE, RHP, RANGERS
The first pitcher taken in 2015 is still in Class A. Tate is 2-2 with a 5.35 ERA for Hickory, although he’s averaging over a strikeout an inning.
KYLE TUCKER, OF, ASTROS
Tucker hasn’t shown much power, but he’s getting on base (.374 on-base percentage) and has stolen 23 bases in 29 attempts for Class A Quad Cities. — Noah Trister, AP Baseball Writer
