[ayaghmour2]

Happy Amateur Draft! With the first pick, the Cleveland Indians took the best player in the draft and the one that I wanted, SP Jonathan Kingsbury.

1st Round, 24th Overall: SP Amari Ankum (3.5): Honestly, I could've been worse off with the 24th Overall Pick, and there were a few other options. Ankum is a solid middle-of-the-rotation arm with insane stuff. He has five plus or better pitches, including a 94 rated curveball. He has plus control, but below average movement. He's got solid stamina, a durable left arm, and averages 91-93 with his fastball. Just 18, the Dalls, Texas native has a bright career ahead of him.

1st Round, 30th Overall: SP Mitch Castro (3.5): "Jumbo" Castro is a 6'4'' 17-year-old from Boston. He's got elite stamina, plus-plus stuff, and he keeps the ball on the ground. He's got a plus-plus sinker, and plus slider and changeup and he does a great job getting swings on low piches. He throws 90-92 from a 3/4 arm slot. He's got plus movement, but needs to work on his control. Just like Ankum, he's got a lot of talent, but a lot of polishing left to do.

1st Round, 34th Overall: RF Josh Vest (3.5): Despite being listed as a right fielder, he could play center with plus range and an elite arm. He's not the best base runner and doesn't have the most contact, but he's got great pop from both sides of the plate. He'll get a lot of extra base hits and won't strike out too much. He's another high upside, low ceiling pick that could develop into a big league regular.

1st Round, 37th Overall: SS Josh Norrod (3): Yes, I have a shockingly large amount of 1st round picks between compensation and rollover. He's an elite defensive shortstop with solid speed and a knack for bunting for a hit. He's a solid all-around hitter with plus contact and power. He doesn't have the best personality, but his raw talent is too much to pass up on.

2nd Round, 63rd Overall: SP Andy Stevenson (3): A college junior from Washington, Andy Stevenson has elite stamina and elite stuff. He can hit triple digits and has an elite fastball and slider. He just needs to work on his change-up to become a top starter, but his floor is a top notch reliever. He needs to work on his movement and control, but he's the opposite of my first four picks, a high floor prospect.

3rd Round, 98th Overall: SP Sergio Arena (3): The Puerto Rican teen won't sign, but it was worth taking a flyer on him. He's got elite stuff with two plus pitches and an elite curveball. His fastball averages 91-93, and he gets good movement and control. He needs to work on his stamina, but heading to the states for college should help him fine tune his game.

4th Round, 128th Overall: 2B Pat Rice (2.5): He's a bat first player with a little versatility. He can play all around the outfield and infield, but he's one of those utility players that will never be good at one position. He doesn't have much speed, but his bat is really good. He's got plus-plus power, plus contact, and will hit a ton of extra base hits. He lacks hustle, but unlike most players left, he's got talent.

5th Round, 158th Overall: SP Steve Sergent (2): He's a lefty with elite stamina and an elite changeup. He's got plus stuff, but needs to work on his movement and control. He doesn't throw too hard either, but that changeup is so deadly he doesn't need to. He's tall, 6'4'', and could develop his velocity as he ages.

6th Round, 188th Overall: RP Steve Ford (2.5): A junior from Kansas State, he's got elite stamina and a durable left arm. He's got a plus slider, decent fastball, and a poor changeup that, with work, could help him turn into a starter. He's a sidearmer with plus movement and control as well.

7th Round, 218th Overall: SS Jorge Rojas (2): Likely a future third basemen, he's got a cannon at the hot corner, and has plus range. He can play all three infield spots, and has the arm for right. The Puerto Rican youngster has a plus eye and plus contact, and can develop into a solid off the bench player.

8th Round, 248th Overall: CF Sean Moody (2): A switch hitting 18-year-old, he won't sign, but was worth taking a filer on. He's not the best fielder or runner, but he's an amazing hitter. He's got plus power and plus contact with a plus eye. He's got a great personality, and his personality could help him develop well.

9th Round, 278th Overall: C Jonathan Dwoark (2): He's got a great armer as a catcher, but not the best hitter. He's got a plus eye with decent contact and power. He's young, has a good character, and can develop into a solid backup at the big league level.

10th Round, 308th Overall: CF Alfredo Perales (2): A former Reds pick in the 24th Round in 2025, he moved from Puerto Rico to the states for college at Coastal Carolina. He's got a ton of range, good speed, and plus contact. The switch hitter isn't the best hitter, but he's a leadoff type hitter who will spray the ball around the field.

11th Round, 338th Overall: CF Chad Powell (2): He's a speedy righty with a ton of range that strikes out a lot. He's got plus contact, power, and eye, and smacks line drives. He needs to trust himself more before he can become a big leaguer.

12th Round, 368th Overall: CF Sean Bond (2): A speedy lefty who can play all three outfield spots as well as the corner infield spots. He's got elite speed, but isn't really the best base runner. He's got the range for center and arm for right, but will likely end up in left. He's got plus eye and will hit his share of extra base hits.

13th Round, 398th Overall: CF Jake Maxey (1.5): Won't sign. A speedy centerfielder with elite range and he's a huge threat on the basepaths. He's got a solid eye and will stretch singles to doubles. He won't hit any homers, but he's an intriguing youngster.

14th Round, 428th Overall: C Pat Gross (1.5): A 37th Rounder from the Dodgers back in 2024, the Senior from Long Beach State has backup catcher written all over him. He's got a decent eye, but will strikeout a lot. He's not the best framer, but has a decent arm.

15th Round, 458th Overall: SP Mike Palmer (1.5): He's got an elite curveball and elite stamina. He's got plus stuff, below average movement, and poor control. He isn't too exciting, but is a starter with decent tools in the later rounds.

16th Round, 488th Overall: SP Chris Mills (1.5): Another starter with elite stamina, Mills boasts an elite change as well. Like Sergent, he doesn't throw too fast, but has plus stuff. He needs to work on his movement and control, but he could be a decent multi inning guy.

17th Round, 518th Overall: CF Mike Klein (1.5): Won't sign. A speedy switch hitter with the range for center. He's not much of a hitter, but could be a productive 4th outfielder.

18th Round, 548th Overall: 1B C.J. Exley (1.5): A lefty first basemen with plus-plus power, but he doesn't have much more then that. He's not a great contact hitter and he'll strike out a lot, but his power is enough to keep him in a big leauge organization.

19th Round, 578th Overall: CF Dusty Sides (2): He's got the range for center and great speed, but isn't the best base runner. He's got plus power, but that's about all for his hitting. He screams average outfielder bench player.

20th Round, 608th Overall: CF Brad Littlehale (2): He's got a cannon and can play all three outfield spots. He can play a little first and short as well, and is clutch under pressure. He's not too fast, will hit a lot of extra base hits, and he has solid power.

21st Round, 638th Overall: CF Eric Watts (1.5): Won't sign. He's got an elite eye and the range for center with a solid arm as well. He's not a special hitter, but heading to college should help him.

22nd Round, 668th Overall: SS Luis Crespo (1.5): He's a decent defensive infielder who can stick at short or shift to third with his solid arm. He's got nice pop and a good eye, but he may strike out a lot.

23rd Round, 698th Overall: CF MIke Allen (1.5): I took him a round later in 2025, and I like him for his defense and speed. He'll be a top base runner and fielder, but will never hit for much. He's an average contact hitter from the left side.

24th Round, 728th Overall: C Ezra Morris (1): Won't sign. He's a decent catcher with a little power, but is nothing special. College could help himi grow.

25th Round, 758th Overall: 3B/RP Juan Ramirez (0.5): He's a two-way player who can play third as well. As a fielder, he's got a cannon and great range, but isn't much of a double play turner. He's got a great eye, but isn't the best hitter. As a pitcher, he's got plus stuff and control.

26th Round, 788th Overall: RF/P Damani Clea (0.5): Another two way guy, he's a great defensive player in the infield and outfield. He doesn't have much speed, but he's got a ton of range. He's not the best hitter, but passable. He's got plus-plus stuff and can hit triple digits out of the pen.

27th Round, 818th Overall: SS Sean Wray (1.5): He's a slick middle infielder who turns double plays with ease, but is likely suited for second. He's got plus speed, a plus eye, and won't strike out too much.

28th Round, 848th Overall: CF Chris Papke (1.5): A versatile speedster, he's got a cannon in the outfield, great range in the infield and outfield, and he's got plus-plus contact. He's got a good eye and won't strike out much.

29th Round, 878th Overall: CF Dylan Kaplan (1.5): He's got good speed, but isn't much of a base stealer. He's actually a good hitter, with plus contact and power. He's a decent defender, but could be better.

30th Round, 908th Overall: 3B Bobby Gollihue (0.5): Won't sign. Waste pick here. He's a poor defender, but a good base runner. He probably can hit a litte.

31st Round, 938th Overall: SP Dave Tower (0.5): He was a 31st Round Pick all the way back in 2023. He's got a ton of stamina and could start games. He needs to work on a little bit of everything, but he's an arm that won't get hurt.

32nd Round, 968th Overall: CF Andy Wirkus (1.5): Extremely fast, great range, and an elite arm. He's not the best hitter out there, but his raw athletic abillity is insane. He can play all three spots as well.

33rd Round, 998th Overall: SP Ismael Carias (0.5): Arizona took him in the 36th Round in 2026. He's got four pitches, and while none of them are great, they aren't terrible. He's got great stamina, a durable left arm, and average enough stuff.

34th Round, 1,028th Overall: 3B Murdock Laviolette (0.5): Won't sign. The Canadian has absolutely no power, but with a decent eye. He's got a good arm as well.

35th Round, 1,058th Overall: SP Redmond Norling (0.5): He can toss 5 pitches, but none too well. He's headed to colelge, which should help him.

36th Round, 1,088th Overall: SP Chad Monk (0.5): Won't sign. Decent stamina and a durable left arm. He's got three decent pitchers. Nothing special, but isn't terrible.

37th Round, 1,118th Overall: C Josh Camarillo (1.5): He's a decent defensive catcher with plus pop. He's got a good eye as well, and could eventually turn into a backup.

38th Round, 1,148th Overall: SP Mike Cockcroft (0.5): He throws a screwball, so that's interesting. He's not really great, but hey, most guys in the late rounds aren't.

39th Round, 1,178th Overall: CF Josh Lawrence (0.5): Taken in the 25th Round by the Twins in 2025, his stock took a hit after going to Oklahoma State. He's a really good base runner and outfielder, but doesn't have the best arm.

40th Round, 1,208th Overall: SP Jeremy Lapes (0.5): Won't sign. I needed to take one more guy, and I was tired...

This is the amazing Class of 2028! Here's where my undrafted 2025 guys went:

11th Round: SS Chris Knitter (2/1.5): Selected by the Mets in the 3rd Round
13th Round: 3B Jamie Stogner (0.5/1.5): Selected by the Athletics in the 6th Round
17th Round: CF Danny Tripp (0.5/0.5): Selected by the Giants in the 26th Round
20th Round: SS Arturo Castro (2/1.5): Selected in the 2nd Round by the Angels
23rd Round: C T.J. Salinas (0.5/0.5): Selected by the Twins in the 31st Round
25th Round: SP Nate Resnick (0.5/2): Selected by the Cubs in the 5th Round
27th Round: SS Naquan Stiggers (2/1.5): Selected by the Royals in the 2nd Round
31st Round: SP Joe Cox (0.5/0.5)
34th Round: 1B Ameirin Amilakhvarov (0.5/0.5)
35th Round: SP Chris Brummel (1.5/1.5): Selected by the Padres in the 6th Round
36th Round: CF Danny Squires (0.5/0.5): Went undrafted and returned to school
38th Round: 2B Luis Robles (0.5/0.5): Went undrafted and returned to school.

Here's a look back at my initial class, the 2018 Draft Class!

Guys who made the majors:
2nd Rounder: RF Max Marusak: Currently in Frisco, the AA affiliate of the Rangers, he hit .184/.237/.218 with 3 steals and 12 RBI's in 87 at bats with us.
2nd Rounder: P/1B J.P. Gates: Currently with the Scranton Miners, an unaffiliated minor league team. He tossed 0.2 innings wiht us in 2024.
4th Rounder: 2B Jack Filby: Currently on the Cleveland Indians. He's hit .222/.312/.348 in parts of 5 seasons with Cleveland. He has 43 homers and 181 RBI's.
12th Rounder: RP Ernesto Estrella: Has a 3.39 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 263 strikeouts in 257.1 innings with the Marlins, Brewers, and Mariners.
13th Round: RP/1B Gunnar Hoglund: Is hitting .302/.318/.524 with 3 homers and 11 RBI's and is pitching to a 4.19 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 36 strikeouts in 34.1 innings with Miami and the Yankees.
26th Rounder: RP Brett Conine: Owns a 3.92 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 201.2 innings with 255 strikeouts with the Marlins and Mariners.

Still active, but no MLB experience
5th Rounder: RF/P Liam Henry: Free Agent
11th Rounder: SP Jonathan Gettys: Currenlty with the A+ Bradenton Marauders of the Pittsburgh Pirates organizaion.
17th Rounder: RP Pete McLean: Currently in Jacksonville
18th Rounder: 2B Dexter Jordan Jr: Currently with the Wilson Tobs, an unaffiliated minor league team.
30th Rounder: CF Dylan Mendoza: With the AA Portland Sea Dogs of the Boston Red Sox organization.

Retired:
3rd Rounder: SS Jon Meola
7th Rounder: C Justin Koger
8th Rounder: 3B Trey Harris
15th Rounder: P Sam Knowlton
16th Rounder: RF Jacob Koos
9th Rounder: RP Josh Hiatt
10th Rounder: 2B Cal Conley
19th Rounder: 1B Justin Olson
21st Rounder: 1B Walt Buchanan
22nd Rounder: CL Chris McGrath
25th Rounder: RP Blair Calvo
28th Rounder: 1B Luke Alexander
31st Rounder: RP Joe Tafoya
33rd Rounder: LF Jimmy Jacobs
34th Rounder: SP Jon Olsen
35th Rounder: RF Dominic Cuoci

Off to Toronto for more baseball!