Evaluating the first day of the 2015 MLB First-Year-Player Draft

After years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice, dreams have started to become true. Yesterday was the first day of the 2015 MLB First Year Player Draft, and it was very exciting to see these young men being given an opportunity to start their path to the big leagues. Here is a look at some of the story lines from Monday's draft.

Drafting at the Top is No Short Order

Leading up to the draft, there was no clear cut No. 1 overall pick. The Arizona Diamondbacks had the first selection and many speculated that they would take either Dansby Swanson, Brendan Rodgers, or Tyler Stephenson. As it turned out, three shortstops would be taken in the first three picks. Here is a look at the three shortstops.

No. 1 Overall -- Arizona Diamondbacks -- Dansby Swanson, shortstop, Vanderbilt University
The Diamondbacks would end up selecting Swanson, the power hitting shortstop from Vanderbilt, who was considered best pick of the three. He has stellar potential and has excelled at the college level. On the night of the draft, facing Illinois, he went two-for-four with his 15th home run of the season off of Tyler Jay, who would be the No. 6 overall selection to the Twins. Swanson possesses great makeup, is a great leader and has potential to be a future face of baseball.

No. 2 Overall -- Houston Astros -- Alex Bregman,  shortstop, Louisiana State University
Adding to the farm system once again, the Astros picked another shortstop, this time at the college level. Bregman is not quite at the level of Swanson, but is very close and is a high upside guy who is deemed a "pure hitter." He also possesses a good glove at short and has the ability to play second base. With the Astros turning the page to win now mode, a college shortstop was the perfect way to go for a quicker impact in the bigs.

No. 3 Overall -- Colorado Rockies -- Brendan Rodgers, shortstop, Lake Mary HS (FL)
The Rockies found their shortstop of the future in Rodgers. Rodgers, who is committed to Florida State, is another power bat drafted at the shortstop position. He possesses athleticism and a good arm that will be able to keep him at shortstop. This was a great pick for the Rockies as it seems like Troy Tulowitzki's days with the club are lessening.


Surprise, Surprise

Daz Cameron- outfielder - No. 37 Overall by the Houston Astros
At one point many scouts thought Cameron was an option to go No. 1 overall. As the spring went on he was positioned around the #6 best draft prospect on most boards. Last night saw Cameron, the son of former big leaguer Mike Cameron, drop to No. 37 overall into the Competitive Balance picks. Why would this happen? Many speculated the asking price was $5 million dollars, and not too many teams had the pool money to make it happen. Another variable is that Cameron is represented by Scott Boras, and many teams shy away from Boras' clients due to his often high demands. It will be interesting to see whether Cameron will receive the money that he wants and sign with the Astros, or attend Florida State in the fall.


Josh Naylor- first baseman - No. 12 Overall by the Miami Marlins
Coming into the Draft, Naylor was ranked as the 59th best draft prospect on the MLB.com Top 200 Draft Prospects list, so the Marlins taking him at No. 12 overall was a shock. This would make him the highest drafted Canadian in Draft History. Now, don't think the Marlins aren't getting talent. Naylor is a premier power hitter and produces consistent hard contact. Power is always hard to find, so the Marlins went out and got the big slugger. Imagine Naylor and Giancarlo Stanton in the same lineup down the road.

Great Story Lines

Kyle Tucker- outfielder - No. 5 Overall to the Houston Astros
Kyle Tucker is the younger brother of Astros outfielder Preston Tucker, who was called up earlier this year. It was said that the Astros got to know Kyle even more as he attended the Astros Spring Training camp to watch his older brother. It will be fun to watch as these two have the opportunity to play in the outfield together in the future.

Kolby Allard- left-handed-pitcher & Lucas Herbert- catcher-  No. 14 and No. 54 Overall (respectively) to the Atlanta Braves
While Allard was attracting the attention on the mound at San Clemente High School in California, Herbert was opening eyes behind the plate. Not often do you see a high school battery get drafted not only early in the draft, but to the same team. It is also worth noting that Herbert previously lived in Georgia, where he attended Milton High School. He will now get the opportunity to play in Atlanta once again. It will be fun to see these two as they grow up in the minors together.

Rodgers- shortstop & Mike Nikorak- right-handed-pitcher - No. 3 and No. 27 Overall (respectively) to the Colorado Rockies
Rodgers and Nikorak were two of only four players who showed up to the MLB Network Studios for the draft on Monday, but it worked out well for both of them as they both now know someone entering pro ball. Both are professional young men and it will be great to see if they develop a friendship these next couple years that can be traced back to meeting at the draft.