2016 Draft Report Cards: Reviewing The Draft Classes

SEE ALSO: Draft Report Card Index

We put the final bow on the 2016 draft with our annual team-by-team review of all the selections and how the players’ pro careers have started. Draft writer Hudson Belinsky, managing editor J.J. Cooper and editor-in-chief John Manuel contacted scouting directors, other scouts and player-development personnel to break down every draft class. Best late-round pick applies to picks from the 11th round and beyond. Numbers in parentheses indicate the round in which a player was chosen.

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Best Drafts

1. Reds

2. Braves

3. Brewers

4. Phillies

5. Red Sox

Best Pure Hitter

1. Nick Senzel, 3b, Reds (1)

2. Mickey Moniak, of, Phillies (1)

3. Blake Rutherford, of, Yankees (1)

4. Alex Kirilloff, of, Twins (1)

5. Lucas Erceg, 3b, Brewers (2)

Best Power Hitter

1. Kyle Lewis, of, Mariners (1)

2. Bo Bichette, ss, Blue Jays (2)

3. Zack Collins, c, White Sox (1)

4. Bobby Dalbec, 3b, Red Sox (4)

5. Peter Alonso, 1b, Mets (2)

Fastest Runner

1. Edel Luaces, of, Yankees (25)

2. DeAires Moses, of, Mariners (19)

3. Zach Davis, of, Cubs (32)

4. Jacob Robson, of, Tigers (8)

5. Daniel Woodrow, of, Tigers (12)

Best Defensive Player

1. Mickey Moniak, of, Phillies (1)

2. Will Smith, c, Dodgers (1)

3. Jake Rogers, c, Astros (3)

4. Stephen Alemais, ss, Pirates (3)

5. Lucas Erceg, 3b, Brewers (2)

Best Fastball

1. Riley Pint, rhp, Rockies (1)

2. Zack Burdi, rhp, White Sox (1)

3. A.J. Puk, lhp, Athletics (1)

4. Matt Manning, rhp, Tigers (1)

5. Forrest Whitley, rhp, Astros (1)

Best Secondary Pitch

1. Cal Quantrill, rhp, Padres (1; changeup)

2. Ian Anderson, rhp, Braves (1; curveball, changeup)

3. Braxton Garrett, lhp, Marlins (1; curveball)

4. Zach Jackson, rhp, Blue Jays (3; curveball)

5. Daulton Jefferies, rhp, Athletics (1s; changeup)

Best Pro Debut

College/JC

1. Nick Senzel, 3b, Reds (1)

2. Lucas Erceg, 3b, Brewers (2)

3. Joey Lucchesi, lhp, Padres (4)

4. Heath Quinn, of, Giants (3)

5. Andrew Calica, of, Indians (11)

High School

1. Bo Bichette, ss, Blue Jays (2)

2. Mickey Moniak, of, Phillies (1)

3. Taylor Trammell, of, Reds (1s)

4. Alex Kirilloff, of, Twins (1)

5. Ian Anderson, rhp, Braves (1)

Best Athlete

1. A.J. Brown, of, Padres (19)

2. Tai Tiedemann, rhp, Rangers (8)

3. Matt Manning, rhp, Tigers (1)

4. Nonie Williams, ss, Angels (3)

5. Taylor Trammell, of, Reds (1s)

Best Late-Round Pick

1. Andrew Calica, of, Indians (11)

2. Kyle Young, lhp, Phillies (22)

3. Cody Thomas, of, Dodgers (13)

4. Kobie Taylor, of, Rangers (15)

5. Armond Upshaw, of, Nationals (11)

Closest to the Majors

College

1. Zack Burdi, rhp, White Sox (1)

2. Nick Senzel, 3b, Reds (1)

3. Corey Ray, of, Brewers (1)

4. Zack Collins, c, White Sox (1)

5. Matt Thaiss, 1b, Angels (1)

High School

1. Mickey Moniak, of, Phillies (1)

2. Blake Rutherford, of, Yankees (1)

3. Bo Bichette, ss, Blue Jays (2)

4. Braxton Garrett, lhp, Marlins (1)

5. Jason Groome, lhp, Red Sox (1)

Most Intriguing Background

By Relatives

1. Cavan Biggio, 2b, Blue Jays (5)

2. Preston Palmeiro, 1b, Orioles (7)

3. Trey Griffey, of, Mariners (24)

4. Bo Bichette, ss, Blue Jays (2)

5. Torii Hunter, of, Angels (23)

By Human Interest

1. Devin Smeltzer, lhp, Dodgers (5)

2. A.J. Puckett, rhp, Royals (2)

3. Tommy Eveld, rhp, Diamondbacks (9)

4. T.J. Friedl, of, Reds (NDFA)

5. Stijn Van Der Meer, ss, Astros (34)

Ones That Got Away

College

1. Wil Crowe, rhp, Indians (21)

2. Tyler Buffet, rhp, Astros (7)

3. Brigham Hill, rhp, Athletics (20)

4. Austin Jones, rhp, Cubs (13)

5. Troy Bacon, rhp, Rockies (37)

High School

1. Jared Horn, rhp, Brewers (20)

2. Drew Mendoza, ss/3b, Tigers (36)

3. Nick Lodolo, lhp, Pirates (2)

4. Adam Laskey, lhp, Giants (31)

5. Hunter Bishop, of, Padres (24)