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2015 MLB Draft Results

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27-42

Round 1 Picks 27-42

Posted By: Chris Ransom with updates by Don Portman Last Updated: December, 18, 2015

Colorado Rockies: Mike Nikorak, P, Stroudsburg HS (PA) A+ Grade

Mike Nikorak is an absolute steal here. This was an excellent selection by the Colorado Rockies. Some had Nikorak going in the top 5 at the beginning of May and Nikorak is now listed as a top 15 pick. Awesome job by the Rockies to get Nikorak here.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Mike Nikorak already has an ERA of 11.72 in 2015. The 0-4 isn't even on a Single A- team yet. That's why this prospect gets my first F grade.

Don Portman's Grade: F Grade
Atlanta Braves: Michael Soroka, P, Bishop Carroll HS (AB) F Grade

Atlanta needed a pitcher. This was a huge reach though.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Mike Nikorak got promoted to Single A-. Despite this it is obvious the Braves rushed him up from the Gulf Coast League to Single A-.

Don Portman's Grade: C- Grade
Toronto Blue Jays: Jonathan Harris, P, Missouri State A+ Grade

Jonathan Harris is one of the best college pitchers left in this draft. The Blue Jays have to add a starting pitcher to their rotation at some point before round 2.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Jonathan Harris may be off to a rough start in A-. Still, he's the top prospect in the Blue Jays farm system, and that's why he got an A- grade with his potential being through the roof.

Don Portman's Grade: A- Grade
New York Yankees: Kyle Holder, SS, San Diego A Grade

New York can use this pick to get an upgrade at shortstop with Derek Jeter gone. Kyle Holder is the top shortstop left and he played next to Kris Bryant as a freshman on the Toreros when Bryant went second overall to the Chicago Cubs back in 2013.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Unlike first round pick James Kaprielian, Kyle Holder got to play for the Staten Island Yankees right away. That gives him a solid B grade.

Don Portman's Grade: B Grade
San Francisco Giants: Chris Shaw, 1B, Boston College A Grade

Chris Shaw is a first baseman in the making. Someone needs to draft him and bring him up through the system. Why not the Giants? This was an awesome pick because the Giants prefer college players over high school players.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Chris Shaw is a steal here. He got to play for the Single A- team for the San Francisco Giants right away unlike first round pick Phil Beckford.

Don Portman's Grade: A- Grade
Pittsburgh Pirates: Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B, Concordia Lutheran HS (TX) A Grade

Pedro Alvarez used to play third baseman on the Pirates. Alvarez is now at first base. That's why I think Hayes is a decent pick here.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Ke'Bryan Hayes dominated the Gulf Coast League, but has struggled with the West Virginia Black Bears in Single A-.

Don Portman's Grade: B- Grade
Kansas City Royals: Nolan Watson, P, Lawrence North HS (IN) B Grade

Nolan Watson was a solid pick. He should compliment Ashe Russell well in the Royals' farm system.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Nolan Watson is another solid Indiana High School Pitcher. The Royals now have 2 B grades for the two pitchers they took in the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft.

Don Portman's Grade: B Grade
Detroit Tigers: Christin Stewart, LF, Tennessee D Grade

Detroit gets a left fielder. Christian Stewart did a great job stepping up for the Vols in 2015. That's why he snuck into the compensation round. Still you can make the case that he's a second-to-third round pick that should have gone in the second compensation round near the end of Round 2.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Christian Stewart started in the Gulf Coast League, but got promoted to the Single A- team before getting a spot on the Western Michigan Whitecaps who are the Detroit Tigers Single A team.

Don Portman's Grade: A Grade
Los Angeles Dodgers: Kyle Funkhouser, P, Louisville A+ Grade

The Dodgers got Walker Bueheler in the first round and then doubled up with Kyle Funkhouser. The Dodgers will improve their rotation in no time if they keep drafting like this after already boasting a strong starting rotation short term.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Kyle Funkhouser is an A+ value pick here. The Dodgers failed to sign him though, so they get an F grade here.

Don Portman's Grade: F Grade
Baltimore Orioles: Ryan Mountcastle, 3B, Hagerty HS (FL) C Grade

Ryan Mountcastle is a talented player. My issue with him going this high is that he's a third round prospect. Also the Orioles have All Star 3B Manny Machado so Mountcastle is a AAA prospect at best in Baltimore.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Ryan Mountcastle is moving from 3rd baseman to shortstop, a position he has no experience at. I think that's a huge concern. He dominated the Gulf Coast League, but struggled in Single A- when getting promoted.

Don Portman's Grade: D- Grade
Houston Astros: Daz Cameron, CF, Eagles Landing HS (GA) A+ Grade

Daz Cameron was a top 5 pick. Contract issues caused him to drop this far.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Daz Cameron was a top 5 prospect. He fell to 37, because teams were afraid he'd want too much money. The Astros took a huge risk on him and managed to sign him so this is obviously an A+ grade with Cameron being ranked ahead of top 5 pick Kyle Tucker in the Astros farm system.

Don Portman's Grade: A+ Grade
Colorado Rockies: Tyler Nevin, 3B, Poway HS (CA) B+ Grade

Tyler Nevin played third base and shortstop at Poway High School in California. With the Rockies taking Brendan Rodgers, there is a strong chance that Nevin plays third base when he gets to the majors.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Tyler Nevin is the son of former #1 overall pick Phil Nevin. Tyler may make the big leagues someday, but he's a project right now.

Don Portman's Grade: C Grade
St. Louis Cardinals: Jake Woodford, P, Plant HS (FL) B Grade

St. Louis could use another pitcher. Jake Woodford is a good value pick at this point.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Jake Woodford will eventually become the #4 starter that replaces John Lackey long-term. For now, Woodford will develop in the minors. This is an okay pick at this spot.

Don Portman's Grade: C Grade
Milwaukee Brewers: Nathan Kirby, P, Virginia A+ Grade

Nathan Kirby is an absolute steal at 40. Well done Milwaukee.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Nathan Kirby played well enough to go to Single A right away. Kirby did so poorly as a starter, that they moved him to a reliever role, and that's why he has a C grade at the moment.

Don Portman's Grade: C Grade
Atlanta Braves: Austin Riley, 3B, DeSoto Central HS (MS) F Grade

Atlanta may not be certain about the minor league third baseman they drafted back in 2013. Riley is a major work in progress and may need multiple seasons in AA before advancing to AAA baseball.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Austin Riley isn't the best third baseman in Atlanta's farm system. His .356 batting average in A- is hard to ignore which is why the Braves get a C grade here.

Don Portman's Grade: C Grade
Cleveland Indians: Triston McKenzie, P, Royal Palm Beach HS (FL) D Grade

Triston McKenzie may not have been as talented as some of the other high school arms. He's still a better pick than Austin Riley who went 41st to Atlanta.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Triston McKenzie did well in the Arizona League with a 0.75 ERA. He's getting promoted to Single A- in 2016 and looks like a solid pitching prospect for Cleveland to develop.

Don Portman's Grade: C+ Grade