Draft With Us

2015 MLB Draft Results

1-26

27-42

Round 2

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

Arizona Diamondbacks: Alex Young, P, TCU B Grade

Alex Young has a 1.46 ERA and a 9-2 record in 2015. He's only pitched 68 innings this season, but he's still a long term upgrade over anyone in the Brewers' starting rotation in 2015.

Alex Young is a solid prospect plus TCU is a pitcher factory when it comes to developing MLB talent. That's why this pick gets a B grade.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Alex Young is already the #4 prospect in the Diamondbacks farm system. Young is already proving to be a big steal with his 1.50 ERA in Single A short.

Don Portman's Grade: A+ Grade
Colorado Rockies: Peter Lambert, P, San Dimas HS (CA) D Grade

The Rockies reached for Peter Lambert in the second round. That's why I question this pick.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Peter Lambert is 0-4 with a 3.45 ERA in the minors so far. This is clearly a D grade like Chris pointed out.

Don Portman's Grade: D Grade
Texas Rangers: Eric Jenkins, CF, West Columbus HS (NC) B Grade

Texas adds a centerfielder. Eric Jenkins is the top center fielder available.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Eric Jenkins has a .389 batting average with the Hickory Crawdads. He's not graded as high as 2015 third round pick Michael Matuella. Still this is a solid pick.

Don Portman's Grade: B+ Grade
Houston Astros: Thomas Eshelman, P, Cal State Fullerton B Grade

Thomas Eshelman has a 6-5 record with a 1.79 ERA in 2015. Two of his six wins came against Dillon Tate and Kyle Funkhouser. Eshelman may be a third round prospect, but the Astros get a B grade for taking him here because Eshelman defeated two of College Baseballs's best pitchers.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Thomas Eshelman did so bad in Houston, that he already got traded to Philadelphia. There is no question this pick gets an F grade.

Don Portman's Grade: D Grade
Chicago Cubs: Donnie Dewees, CF, North Florida B- Grade

The Cubs took a developmental center fielder here in case Albert Almora failed to make the jump to the MLB after the Marlins drafted Almora back in 2012 only to trade him to the Cubs. Donnie Dewees has been having a monster season in 2015. The Ospreys center fielder has a .438 batting average, 96 hits, 15 home runs, 63 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. Talk about a complete 5 tool bat. Dewees has good speed, but lacks throwing power to tag runners out. Dewees can make the jump to the majors pretty quickly once he corrects that.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Donnie Dewees has done alright in Single A Short. This isn't a prospect that is as touted as Ian Happ who the Cubs took ninth overall in the 2015 MLB Draft.

Don Portman's Grade: C- Grade
Philadelphia Phillies: Scott Kingery, 2B, Arizona A Grade

Scott Kingery leads the Arizona Wildcats with a .418 batting average and is an awesome pickup at this point in the second round with his ability as a second baseman. Philadelphia needs all the help they can get so this is a good pick.

The Phillies may have reached for Randolph at 10. Adding Kingery was a great way to make up for it in the second round.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Scott Kingery has already made the Lakewood BlueClaws as a starting second baseman on the Phillies Single A Team. His 11 stolen bases as a rookie make him a premium prospect and the possible successor to Chase Utley at second base.

Don Portman's Grade: A- Grade
Cincinnati Reds: Antonio Santillan, P, Seguin HS (TX) Mr. Redlegs On Mushrooms Grade

Antonio Santillan is a third round prospect. Why would the Reds reach for him?

This was such an awful pick, that I decided to give the Reds a Mr. Redlegs on mushrooms grade rather than F grade. We're the people at the Reds front office tired or just extremely stoned when picking Santillan in the second round.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: The Reds wasted this pick on a skinny pitcher that may never crack AA. This gets an F grade.

Don Portman's Grade: F Grade
Miami Marlins: Brett Lilek, P, Arizona State A Grade

The Marlins take Arizona State's #3 pitcher hoping for a future starter. At the end of the day he could get moved to a long reliever role with his constant no decisions on the mound.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Brett Lilek is already doing well in Single A. This is an A- pick for the Marlins.

Don Portman's Grade: A- Grade
San Diego Padres: Austin Smith, P, Park Vista HS (FL) A Grade

Austin Smith has a solid fastball. He needs to spend the next few years in the minors growing up and discovering himself. He should be ready by 2020.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Austin Smith did not make the Padres top 30 prospects list. They get an F grade here.

Don Portman's Grade: F Grade
Tampa Bay Rays: Chris Betts, C, Long Beach Wilson HS (CA) A+ Grade

Getting Chris Betts in the second round is much so much better than getting Tyler Stevenson in the first round. Great job by Tampa Bay addressing a need at catcher.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Chris Betts had an elbow injury leading up to the 2015 MLB Draft. He also had Tommy John's Surgery plus he's the #2 catcher prospect on the Rays minor league farm system so that's why I'm giving the Rays an F grade here.

Don Portman's Grade: F Grade
New York Mets: Desmond Lindsay, RF, Out Of Door HS (FL) F Grade

Desmond Lindsay was a fifth round pick. I don't understand why the Mets took him this early.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Desmond Lindsay has been awful in Single A short. The Mets get another F grade here.

Don Portman's Grade: F Grade
Atlanta Braves: Lucas Herbert, C, San Clemente HS A+ Grade

Lucas Herbert is a complete catcher when you watch his tape. The fact that Herbert will remain with high school teammate Kolby Allard will make both of them better and motivate both to get to the MLB.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Lucas Herbert has a .500 batting average along with rapport with first round pick Kolby Allard who the Braves took at 14. I love this pick a lot by Atlanta.

Don Portman's Grade: A+ Grade
Milwaukee Brewers: Cody Ponce, P, Cal Poly Pomona A Grade

The Milwaukee Brewers needed an ace. Pitcher Cody Ponce is the top starter left at this point.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Cody Ponce is a great prospect. I think he will be a star with the Brewers over time once he develops.

Don Portman's Grade: A Grade
Toronto Blue Jays: Brady Singer, P, Eustis HS (FL) A Grade

Brady Singer was a third round pitcher. I don't see why the Blue Jays took him this early.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Brady Singer did not sign with Toronto. The Blue Jays get an F grade for not signing Singer.

Don Portman's Grade: F Grade
New York Yankees: Jeff Degano, P, Indiana State C Grade

Degano could be a good reliever in New York. I don't see him as a starter. This was a solid, but not a spectacular pick by the New York Yankees.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Jeff Degano is not a top 30 prospect on the Yankees. This is another F grade as it is a wasted pick by the Yankees.

Don Portman's Grade: F Grade
Washington Nationals: Andrew Stevenson, CF, LSU B Grade

Andrew Stevenson's .349 batting average is better than Alex Bregmann's .335 batting average. Stevenson also has a 1.000 fielding percentage and 20 stolen bases making him a good prospect for the Nationals to develop. Once he hits more home runs in the minors, you could have a complete 5 tool player on the Nationals. I'm not sure he'd remain a center fielder on the Nationals, but Washington would find a role for Stevenson.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Andrew Stevenson got promoted twice and ended up on the Hagerstown Suns, the Washington Nationals Single A team. That makes him a great prospect.

Don Portman's Grade: A Grade
Cleveland Indians: Juan Hillman, P, Olympia HS (FL) A Grade

Juan Hillman was a first round prospect. Cleveland did an awesome job getting him in the second round.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Juan Hillman struggled as a starter in the Arizona League. He moved to a reliever role and did better there. Still he deserves nothing higher than a D grade at this point.

Don Portman's Grade: D Grade
Seattle Mariners: Nick Neidert, P, Peachtree Ridge HS (GA) D Grade

Seattle reached for Nick Neidert. They could have easily drafted him in the third round.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Nick Niedert pitched 11 starts in the Arizona League. That's not bad.

Don Portman's Grade: B- Grade
San Francisco Giants: Andrew Suarez, P, Miami FL A Grade

Andrew Suarez did not sign with the Nationals after they took him in the second round. Now Suarez gets drafted by the San Francisco Giants, the same Giants team that handed the Nationals their last two defeats in the NL Playoffs.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Andrew Suarez got promoted from the Arizona League to Single A Advanced in one season getting promoted 4 times. This is clearly getting an A+ grade because of the value the Giants got.

Don Portman's Grade: A+ Grade
Pittsburgh Pirates: Kevin Kramer, SS, UCLA Pirate Parrot Drinking And Driving Grade

Why did the Pirates draft a second shortstop. Kramer will be a AAA shortstop at best on the Indianapolis Indians.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Kevin Kramer is no ordinary shortstop. He also has the versatility to play third baseman. The Pirates already drafted a shortstop and a third baseman. They really didn't need Kramer.

Don Portman's Grade: F Grade
Oakland Athletics: Mikey White, SS, Alabama D Grade

I'm not sure what Mikey White will do once he arrives in Oakland. White is a talented player and he will dominate the minors. I"m not sure he will adjust to second base once he gets to the MLB.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Mikey White may be the #4 shortstop in Oakland's farm system. White is ahead of schedule in development than first round pick Richie Martin. With both shortstops being shortstop only type players, the Athletics have the luxury of trading one of these guys to get an extra piece at another key position.

Don Portman's Grade: B+ Grade
Kansas City Royals: Josh Staumont, P, Azusa Pacific D Grade

The Royals reached for a late third round pitcher in Josh Staumont. That's why the Royals got a D grade here.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Staumont was a third round prospect. The fact that he got promoted is promising though.

Don Portman's Grade: D+ Grade
Detroit Tigers: Tyler Alexander, P, TCU D Grade

There were better TCU pitchers available. This felt like a reach in the second round.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Tyler Alexander is not a top 30 prospect on the Tigers. Therefore, the Tigers get an F grade for taking Alexander here.

Don Portman's Grade: F Grade
St. Louis Cardinals: Bryce Denton, 3B, Ravenwood HS (TN) A Grade

It may take some time. Eventually Bryce Denton will blossom into another Scott Rolen type of player at third base. Denton also has the versatility to play shortstop on the inside of the infield.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Bryce Denton got off to a rough start. He has starting third base potential, and that's the only think keeping this pick from being an F grade.

Don Portman's Grade: D- Grade
Los Angeles Dodgers: Mitch Hansen, RF, Plano HS (TX) A Grade

Mitch Hansen has the versatility to play anywhere in the outfield. Right field is his best position though and that's a position the Dodgers could use an upgrade at.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Mitch Hansen is a solid prospect with his versatility. He doesn't have an MLB bat yet and he needs to develop that in the minors.

Don Portman's Grade: C Grade
Baltimore Orioles: Jonathan Hughes, P, Flowery Branch HS (GA) D Grade

This felt like a reach. Hughes was listed as a sixth round prospect.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: The Orioles failed to sign Hughes. Hughes was a sixth round pick like Chris stated so not signing him is why the Orioles get a C grade here.

Don Portman's Grade: C Grade
Washington Nationals: Blake Perkins, CF, Verrado HS (AZ) C+ Grade

Blake Perkins could have gone anywhere between the late second round and the early fourth round pick. This was a solid selection here.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Blake Perkins has the versatility to play left fielder, center fielder, or right fielder. He also has just as much offensive pop as Andrew Stevenson.

Don Portman's Grade: A Grade
Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim: Jahmai Jones, LF, Wesleyan HS (GA) C Grade

Jahmai Jones was expected to go in the third round. He was more of a late third rounder so that bumps this down to a C grade.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Jahmai Jones already has 16 stolen bases. That's why this is a great pick by the Los Angeels Angels of Anaheim.

Don Portman's Grade: B Grade
Cincinnati Reds: Tanner Rainey, P, West Alabama C- Grade

Tanner Rainey was a fifth round prospect. This was another reach. Still, something tells me Rainey might succeed despite this.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Tanner Rainey started 15 games. He may have to move to the bullpen when he gets to the MLB.

Don Portman's Grade: B- Grade
Seattle Mariners: Andrew Moore, P, Oregon State B Grade

Andrew Moore could be a decent long reliever on the Mariners in a few years. For now he will be a starting pitcher in the minors.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Andrew Moore struggled as a starter. He did well as a long reliever though and got promoted to Single A Short.

Don Portman's Grade: B+ Grade
Minnesota Twins: Kyle Cody, P, Kentucky A Grade

Kyle Cody gives the Twins a future starter. For now he needs to develop in the minors until he's on the Twins' roster. Expect Kyle Cody to be a member of the Chattanooga Lookouts by 2015-2016.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: The Twins failed to sign Kyle Cody. Minnesota gets an F grade for that with Cody returning to school.

Don Portman's Grade: F Grade
Los Angeles Dodgers: Josh Sborz, P, Virginia B Grade

Josh Sborz could be a #4 starter or #5 starter on the Dodgers if he busted his rear end and applied himself as a student of the game. At the same time, I think he'll either become a relief pitcher in Los Angeles or be the #1 ace on the Oklahoma City Dodgers in AAA.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: Josh Sborz got promoted to Single A advanced. Sborz looks like he could be a great back end starter for the Dodgers in a few years.

Don Portman's Grade: B+ Grade
Atlanta Braves: A.J. Minter, P, Texas A&M B Grade

A.J. Minter was an early fourth round pick. He boosted his stock in the SEC Tournament, but I still feel like he's a reach at the end of the second round.

Don Portman's Rookie Update: A.J. Minter did not make the Braves top 30 prospect list. The Braves are thrilled with him though. I gave this a B- grade.

Don Portman's Grade: B- Grade