2018 MLB draft: Comp/Second round review, spots 41-50

Kris Dunn has been writing up reviews of the 2018 MLB draft classes and where the top prospects fit onto each team’s MLB Pipeline prospect list.

As a companion series to Kris’ fine work, I have been doing a quick summary of the players drafted in the first round this year and how they are doing so far, plus an educated guess about where they will begin 2019.

Click here for Part One, spots 1-10

Click here for Part Two, spots 11-20

Click here for Part Three spots 21-30

Click here for Part Four, spots 31-40

Reader response to this series was positive so we’ll keep going through the second round. Here are spots 41-50.

41) Lenny Torres, RHP, Cleveland Indians: High school arm from New York looked great in pro debut, posting 1.76 ERA in 15 innings in rookie ball with 22/4 K/BB; can hit mid-90s, throws strikes, doesn’t turn 18 until next week; probably opens 2019 in New York-Penn League in June but could move rapidly after that.

42) Grant Lavigne, 1B, Colorado Rockies: High school slugger from New Hampshire mashed in pro debut, hitting .350/.477/.519 in Pioneer League, great approach with 45 walks, 40 strikeouts in 206 at-bats, will open 2019 in Low-A, do not overlook this guy.

43) Griffin Roberts, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals: Wake Forest right-hander fits perfectly into Cardinals college pitching development schema, posted 5.59 ERA in 9.2 innings between rookie ball and Florida State League but with intriguing 13/4 K/BB, probably returns to High-A to open 2019.

44) Parker Meadows, OF, Detroit Tigers: Georgia high school outfielder may end up being similar to older brother Austin Meadows; performed well in pro debut, hitting .290/.377/.473 between rookie ball and NY-P; some rawness in approach but high ceiling, could start ‘19 in Low-A.

45) Sean Hjelle, RHP, San Francisco Giants: University of Kentucky product looks like a basketball player at 6-11, 225; posted 5.06 ERA in 21 innings in Northwest League but with sharp 22/4 K/BB, probably opens 2019 in Low-A with promotion to higher level possible.

46) Steele Walker, OF, Chicago White Sox: From the University of Oklahoma, Walker got off to a slow pro debut with .186/.246/.310 line in 113 at-bats in Low-A, 8/29 BB/K ratio, did not look as polished as expected, likely returns to Sally League to open ‘19 unless he has a terrific spring.

47) Lyon Richardson, RHP, Cincinnati Reds: Florida prep arm can hit 96 but looked raw in rookie ball, posted 7.14 ERA in 29 innings in Appalachian League, gave up 37 hits with 24/16 K/BB; probably begins 2019 in extended spring waiting for June assignment and working on his game.

48) Simeon Woods-Richardson, RHP, New York Mets: Texas high schooler could be a bargain, hit 94-95 with better-than-expected secondaries while posting 1.56 ERA in 17 rookie ball innings, 26/4 K/BB; just turned 18, could open ‘19 in NY-P but at least some chance to go higher than that, another one not to overlook.

49) Greyson Jenista, OF, Atlanta Braves: Wichita State bat moved quickly, hitting .333/.377/.453 in 117 at-bats in Low-A, then moved to High-A and slumped to .152/.230/.227 in 66 at-bats, I wouldn’t worry too much about that given jump in competition between what he saw for the Shockers but likely returns to High-A to open ‘19.

50) Jameson Hannah, OF, Oakland Athletics: Dallas Baptist outfielder opened pro career with .279/.347/.384 line in NY-P with six steals in six attempts across 86 at-bats until being placed on 60-day DL with undisclosed injury; 2019 assignment will depend on health status but Low-A would be logical.