The 2021 MLB draft took place on July 11-13, 2021. In total, there are 612 players selected by MLB teams. With the first overall pick, the Pirates selected Henry Davis, a catcher from Louisville. The Dodgers, the defending World Series Champion, selected Navy pitcher Charlie Connolly to end the draft. When reviewing the draft, there’s something quite interesting.
When we look at the first overall picks over the last 10 years, there was only one catcher. The Orioles selected Adley Rutschman in the 2019 draft. Mostly, teams used their first overall picks to select either a pitcher or an infielder. As we can see, 4 infielders and 4 pitchers were No.1 picks from 2011 to 2020.
It’s always great news to be the first overall pick. It means that a team must be really confident in that player’s potential. However, the first overall pick is not a guarantee of success in the big league. Mark Appel, the first overall pick of the 2013 draft, didn’t make it into the big league. Brady Aiken, the No.1 pick of the 2014 draft, is still in the minor league and doesn’t have any appearances yet in 2021. Moreover, Adley Rutschman and Spencer Torkelson haven’t played that many games so far in the minors. And, we still have to patiently see whether Adley Rutschman and Spencer Torkelson could make it into the big league.
In the 2021 draft, each team has a different strategy. First of all, the Los Angeles Angels selected 20 pitchers. Yes, all they chose were pitchers in the draft. They must be eager to add top arms in the team. I’m just wondering whether the Angels’ initial plan was to choose only pitchers.
In addition, the Indians selected 19 pitchers, 1 shortstop and 1 outfielder. They are also trying to add pitching depth. And, the defending champion Dodgers selected 17 pitchers, 1 shortstop and 1 outfielder. The Dodgers used all first 14 picks to select pitchers. Overall, more than 350 pitchers were selected in the 2021 draft. Most MLB teams selected at least 10 pitchers this year. Only 4 teams chose fewer than 10 pitchers this year. In the first round (including compensatory and competitive balance round), 15 pitchers were selected.
Moreover, more than 40 catchers were drafted and 4 catchers were chosen in the first round. However, 6 teams didn’t choose a catcher this year.
Furthermore, 120+ infielders were selected in 2021. In particular, the Red Sox selected 9 infielders this year and they selected Marcelo Mayer, a high school shortstop, in the first round. The Diamondbacks drafted 7 infielders in 2021.
Finally, 80+ outfielders were selected in the draft and 4 of them were drafted in the first round. The Phillies and the Nationals each chose 6 outfielders in the 2021 draft.
The Pirates made a big decision to select Henry Davis as No.1 pick and they already agreed to a deal. The Angels only selected pitchers this year. We’ve seen that each team has its way to build up a team and now, we are going to see how they communicate with those players to ink a deal.
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