Quick look back at 2015 first round draft picks
It’s way, way too early to definitively determine how any club did in the 2015 MLB Draft, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look back at how some of the players fared in their professional debuts.
Numbers aren’t everything, especially when evaluating prospects, but nevertheless I opted to look at some of the numbers last year’s first round picks put up in their introductions to pro ball.
It’s also worth noting that a few players taken in the first round a year ago were invited to Major League Spring Training as non-roster invitees. While it’s unlikely these players make the club on Opening Day, the experience of being in a Major League camp will be beneficial and can potentially speed up development.
D-backs: Dansby Swanson
The shortstop missed some time after he was hit in the face by a pitch in a simulated game, but went on to hit .289 in 22 games with the Hillsboro Hops.
Swanson was, of course, traded to the Braves during the off season and will be in Major League camp.
Astros: Alex Bregman
Bregman hit .294 with four homers and 34 RBIs in 66 games. The shortstop will be a non-roster invitee this year as well.
Rockies: Brendan Rodgers
The Colorado shortstop prospect hit .273 in 37 games.
Rangers: Dillon Tate
Tate appeared in six games and struck out eight batters in nine innings. The right-hander gave up a total of one run on three hits.
Astros: Kyle Tucker
Tucker, an outfielder, hit .246 and stole 18 bases in 62 games.
Twins: Tyler Jay
The left-hander posted a 3.93 ERA over 18 1/3 innings. He appeared in 19 games.
Red Sox: Andrew Benintendi
Benintendi, an outfielder, hit .313 with 11 homers and 31 RBIs in 54 games.
White Sox: Carson Fulmer
After registering a 1.96 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 23 innings pitched, Fulmer earned himself a spot in Major League camp this spring.
Cubs: Ian Happ
The outfielder hit .259 and drew 40 walks in 67 games.
Phillies: Cornelius Randolph
The shortstop out of Griffin High School in Georgia hit .302 in 52 games.
Reds: Tyler Stephenson
Stephenson, a catcher, hit .268, including a homer and 15 doubles, in 54 games.
Marlins: Josh Naylor
The first baseman hit .327 in 25 games.
Rays: Garrett Whitley
The outfielder struggled a bit in his debut, hitting just .174 in 42 games.
Braves: Kolby Allard
The left-hander appeared in just three games, but threw well. Allard gave up one hit and struck out 12 in six innings.
Brewers: Trent Clark
The outfield prospect missed some time with a concussion, but hit .309 in 55 games.
Yankees: James Kaprielian
Kaprielian is a non-roster invitee at Yankees camp this season. The right-hander out of UCLA appeared in five games last year and had a 3.97 ERA over 11 1/3 innings. Kaprielian struck out 14 and walked four.
Indians: Brady Aiken
The lefty didn’t appear in any games last season as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Giants: Phil Bickford
Bickford finished with a 2.01 ERA. The right-hander struck out 32 in his 10 games.
Pirates: Kevin Newman
The shortstop hit .257 in 61 games.
A’s: Richie Martin
Martin, a shortstop prospect, hit .237 in 51 games.
Royals: Ashe Russell
Russell threw 36 1/3 innings over 11 games and had a 4.21 ERA.
Tigers: Beau Burrows
Burrows appeared in 10 games and threw 28 total innings. The righty had a 1.61 ERA after walking 11 and striking out 33.
Cardinals: Nick Plummer
The Cardinals will get a look at Plummer, an outfielder, in Major League camp. In 51 games last season he hit .228.
Dodgers: Walker Buehler
The right-hander spent the 2015 season recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Orioles: DJ Stewart
Stewart hit .218 in 62 games.
Angels: Taylor Ward
The catcher had an impressive debut and will look to make an equally strong showing as a non-roster invitee this spring. Ward hit .341 with 31 RBIs and 11 extra-base hits in 56 games.
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