2017 MLB Draft Division Breakdown: NL Central
REDS
Once the Reds landed SS/RHP Hunter Greene at No. 2, the rest of the draft is a bonus. But it’s a pretty good bonus as Cincy focused on up the middle defenders and college arms, including Miami prep SS Jeter Downs (1s), Wake Forest OF Stuart Fairchild (2) and intriguing high school LHP Jacob Heatherly (3).
CUBS
With a pretty set lineup in Chicago for several years to come, the Cubs have switched from taking college bats to college arms. Last year the Cubs took college arms with 13 of their first 14 picks. This year it was seven of their first eight picks, led by a trio of power arms in LHP Brendon Little (1) and RHPs Alex Lange (1), Cory Abbott (2), Keegan Thompson (3) and Erich Uelman (4).
BREWERS
The Brewers draft has focused on polished bats, whether from the high school or college ranks. 2B Keston Hiura (1) was one of the best hitters in the draft, albeit it with injury/defensive questions. OF Tristan Lutz (1s), C K.J. Harrison (3), 3B Nick Egnatuk (5) and SS Devin Hairston (6) all fit that bill as well, as all four are polished hitters, but all four might end up moving down the defensive spectrum.
PIRATES
In recent years, Pittsburgh has emphasized productive college players at the top of its draft. This year it went for more upside and more risk with four preps with the first 72 selections: RHPs Shane Baz (1) and Stephen Jennings (2) followed by OFs Calvin Mitchell (2) and Conner Uselton (2s).
CARDINALS
Some teams will spend more on their first-round pick than the Cardinals, who lost two picks because of penalties for the Astros’ hacking scandal, will be able to spend on their entire draft. St. Louis’ day two picks included a lot of college hitters with better bats than athletic tools, but they did go upside with RHP Wilberto Rivera (8).
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