I’ve been keeping track of the draft since 2006- for 12 years now. I think it’s worthwhile to take a look at how this one stacks up. First, we will look at some statistics from 2017, and then some comparisons.

Here are some statistics about this draft:

  • By team:
    • Front Royal- 8
    • Staunton, Harrisonburg- 7
    • Waynesboro- 6
    • Winchester, Charles Town- 4
    • Charlottesville, Purcellville- 3
    • Strasburg- 2
    • Covington, Woodstock- 1
    • New Market- 0
  • Major league organizations with the most picks:
    • Baltimore- 5
    • San Francisco- 4
    • Oakland, Pittsburgh, Arizona- 3
    • Toronto, Kansas City, LA Dodgers, San Diego, Boston, Texas, Washington, Chicago Cubs- 2
  • By position:
    • Right handed pitchers- 16
    • Outfielders- 8
    • Left handed pitchers- 7
    • Shortstops, catchers- 3
    • First and second basemen- 2
    • Third base, “utility,” and “infielder”- 1
  • College programs with more than one draftee:
    • Wake Forest, Florida International- 3
    • Southern Illinois Carbondale, Florida- 2

Here are some observations:

  • Nate Pearson, drafted at #28 overall, was the first 1st round pick since Cory Spangenberg (Winchester 2010) went 10th overall in 2011, and became the 6th player drafted in the 1st round.
    • Other first rounders:
      • Alex Wimmers (Luray 2008)- #21 overall in 2010
      • Yonder Alonso (Luray 2006)- #7 overall in 2008
      • Carlos Gutierrez (Luray 2007)- #27 overall in 2008
      • Chris Perez (Staunton 2004)- #42 overall in 2006
  • 2017 saw 44 players get drafted in 40 rounds, an average of 1.1 per round. Comparisons:
    • 2016- 24 in 40 rounds= 0.6 per round
    • 2015- 46 in 40 rounds= 1.15 per round
    • 2014- 49 in 40 rounds= 1.23 per round
    • 2013- 40 in 40 rounds= 1.0 per round
    • 2012- 51 in 40 rounds= 1.25 per round
    • 2011- 71 in 50 rounds= 1.42 per round
    • 2010- 70 in 50 rounds= 1.40 per round
    • 2009- 58 in 50 rounds= 1.16 per round
    • 2008- 55 in 50 rounds= 1.1 per round
    • 2007- 59 in 50 rounds= 1.18 per round
    • 2006- 59 in 50 rounds= 1.18 per round
      • So while 1.1 per round isn’t close to the best year, 2017 is clearly a step up from 2016, which saw the lowest average over the data period.
  • Eight players were drafted in the first 8 rounds in 2017. How does that stack up?
    • 2016- 1
    • 2015- 4
    • 2014- 9
    • 2013- 3
    • 2012- 6
    • 2011- 7
    • 2010- 8
    • 2009- 7
    • 2008- 7
    • 2007- 4
    • 2006- 5
      • 2017 is tied for the second best total in the first 8 rounds.
  • How about major league players from the drafts? (Keep in mind that it takes literally years to see this stat develop)
    • 2017- 0 (of course)
    • 2016- 0 (also of course)
    • 2015- 0 (too soon)
    • 2014- 0 (still too soon)
    • 2013- 3
    • 2012- 1 (Mac Williamson (Harrisonburg 2011), if you’re interested)
    • 2011- 6
    • 2010- 8
    • 2009- 4
    • 2008- 8
    • 2007- 4
    • 2006- 12