Shortstops lead off MLB draft

Associated Press

SECAUCUS, N.J.

Shortstops were a big hit leading off the Major League Baseball draft.

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Vanderbilt slugger Dansby Swanson with the No. 1 pick Monday night, setting off a history-making run at the position.

With the second pick, Houston took LSU’s Alex Bregman — marking the first time the first two players chosen were shortstops since Shawon Dunston (Cubs) and Augie Schmidt (Blue Jays) got drafted in 1982. Colorado made it 3 for 3 by taking Florida high schooler Brendan Rodgers at No. 3 overall.

A fourth shortstop went 10th, with Philadelphia selecting Georgia high schooler Cornelius Randolph.

Swanson, who helped lead the Commodores to the College World Series earlier in the day, was the first college shortstop to be the top pick since Brown University’s Bill Almon in 1974.

“I think it sounds pretty good,” a smiling Swanson said in an interview on MLB Network.

It marked the first time the Diamondbacks had the No. 1 selection since they took Justin Upton in 2005.

Swanson seamlessly switched from second base to shortstop this season as a junior. He was the Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series last year, helping the Commodores to the national championship. Swanson is a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award and Howser Trophy, given to college baseball’s top player.

“An exceptional baseball player that has all of the intangibles and makeup of a championship-type player for which this organization is building a foundation on,” Diamondbacks scouting director Deric Ladnier said in a statement.

Swanson also is the first shortstop — college or high school — to go No. 1 since Houston took Carlos Correa out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy in 2012. Correa made his major league debut Monday night, just more than three years to the day after he was drafted.

It was the 50th anniversary of the first draft in 1965, and the first for new Commissioner Rob Manfred, who took over when Bud Selig retired in January.

“I actually was going to call him on the way out here and I got tied up,” Manfred said, minutes before stepping to the podium to begin announcing the first-round selections. “So I didn’t get any advice. I think I can get through it.”

The Astros received the No. 2 pick as compensation for not signing pitcher Brady Aiken, last year’s top pick. Aiken was taken by Cleveland at No. 17 despite having Tommy John surgery in March.

Bregman is the offensive leader of an LSU team that will play in the College World Series and has been ranked No. 1 in the country in several polls for most of the season. The Golden Spikes Award finalist is hitting .312 with nine homers and 49 RBIs, and has stolen 37 bases.

“It’s such an honor,” Bregman said. “I can’t wait to get to work right after we go win the College World Series.”

Houston kept things in the family at No. 5, taking Florida high school outfielder Kyle Tucker, the younger brother of Astros outfielder Preston Tucker. He broke his brother’s school record with 31 career homers, and has the power to potentially move to a corner outfield spot at the next level.