Baseball is rarely a sport of instant results. Tim Tebow is still trying to work his way up in the minors and may never get to the majors.
Some of the best talents are still years away from cracking a rotation and last year’s #1 pick, Casey Mize, didn’t find his way to the big leagues during his rookie year. Heck, neither have the last several top picks.
That’s not a rarity, of course, as players are drafted young and everyone knows baseball is probably the most difficult sport to come close to mastering.
However, the process of rebuilding is a long and often arduous one. MLB teams have to keep their eye on the elite talent in front of them, while also thinking long-term. That’s certainly where the 2019 MLB Draft comes in, whether it be with the first overall pick or late-round gems.
If you have any interest in betting on baseball when it comes to the draft, the focus for most sports betting sites will surely be who goes number one, though.
Most MLB mock drafts have a pretty good idea of who that will be, but for the sake of bettors and baseball fans alike, we thought it’d be fun to explore more than the one obvious option.
With that, here’s five viable threats to be taken #1 overall in next June’s 2019 MLB Draft:
Adley Rutschman, C, Oregon State
The top pick in the eyes of many, Rutschman offers a ton to anyone looking for that next star catcher. He’s not a lock to go #1, but he’ll probably lead the way the next time anyone releases MLB Draft odds for the number one spot due to his positional value and overall ability.
A stout defender with a cannon arm and a healthy bat, Rutschman has the potential to shore up someone’s plate defense for years to come. It just depends how much anyone values his position and if they like someone else more.
The Baltimore Orioles presently reside at the top spot going into next June and judging by their roster, this is a prospect they should gladly obtain.
Bobby Witt Jr, SS, Colleyville Heritage High School
While Rutschman has rocketed up MLB mock drafts, I really don’t think he’s alone in the argument for the #1 overall pick. Not only is there a lot of other viable talent, but there’s also a lot of time between now and the draft.
Witt was seen by many as the best overall prospect for much of the past year, and it’s tough to say for sure Baltimore won’t stick with that notion come June. Witt is a true jack of all trades that can get his hands in a little bit of everything.
The bat is there for Witt, but it’s his overall athleticism and fielding tools that make him so compelling. He has the makings of a complete shortstop at the next level and for a team sapped of talent like Baltimore, this kind of high-level utility player is someone they need to consider adding.
Riley Greene, OF, Hagerty High School
Depending on where you look, Greene is possibly the best masher in college baseball. Some are more efficient and there are better defenders (albeit not by much), but his power and long-term hitting upside is arguably unmatched in this draft class.
Baltimore has always been a team known for the long ball, but they’re not getting any younger and need to start thinking about how their offense will look down the road.
Adding raw power like Greene’s could inject serious life into their bats and eventually could give them a very solid two-way presence in the outfield.
Logan Davidson, SS, Clemson
There are a few other hitting prospects to keep an eye on, but I’d say Davidson caps the list of the true threats to the #1 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Davidson has progressed nicely over the past couple of years, showcasing elite fielding ability and solid power at the plate. His steady improvement across the board is encouraging for his upside in the majors, while Baltimore and anyone else looking up top won’t mind his elite switch-hitting ability at the plate.
The efficiency and defensive upside doesn’t presently rival the other mashers vying for the top pick, but Davidson isn’t far behind and some argue he’s actually already there. I rank him as the fourth best hitting prospect for now, but he’s one to monitor over the next several months.
Zack Thompson, LHP, Kentucky
The Orioles need a lot of help on the mound, but this draft feels more like a hitter’s haven more than anything else so far. That being said, there are certainly a slew of arms to consider targeting early in the draft and if Baltimore wants to snag one with the first overall pick, Thompson might be their best bet.
The dangerous lefty is arguably the top pitching prospect going into the 2019 MLB Draft, with just Hunter Barco really pushing him at the moment. Of the two, though, Thompson has the far more dangerous fastball and seems to be the more well-rounded prospect.
Thompson also sports an elite curveball and challenging changeup pitch, while also showcasing untapped upside. Injures have held him back a bit and right now would likely be the main reason he wouldn’t vie for the top spot.
Ultimately, I still think a hitter goes to Baltimore, or the O’s consider trading down. With that likely being the case, bettors and MLB fans alike can probably bank on Witt or Rutschman hearing their name called at the start of June’s draft.
