While high school shortstop Royce Lewis and Louisville pitcher/first baseman Brendan McKay are definitely in the mix to be taken first overall by the Twins in the June 12 MLB Draft, Vanderbilt starting pitcher Kyle Wright could have the fastest track to the majors.
“They probably get a pitcher who’s in their rotation by the end of 2018, if not sooner,” said ESPN’s Keith Law on the Baseball Tonight podcast. Law has Wright going to the Twins in his latest mock draft.
Unlike recent drafts where guys like Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg were cinch No. 1 picks, this year’s draft doesn’t have a marquee name. California prep pitcher Hunter Greene throws 100 mph and McKay could play in the majors as a pitcher or first basemen, but Wright is considered by Law to be the safest pitching prospect.
The hard-throwing right-hander is 5-5 with a 2.98 ERA in 15 starts this season, but he’s been especially dominant over his last seven starts with 71 strikeouts in 53.2 innings and a 1.51 ERA.
I saw Wright about a month ago in Columbia. This looks like a different guy. Stuff is very crisp. Can see why he's been on a roll.
— Michael Lananna (@mlananna) June 3, 2017
Vanderbilt is to the MLB Draft what Miami has been to the NFL Draft. Since 2006, Vanderbilt has had a starting pitcher selected in the top 25 of the draft six times, including All-Star caliber arms, David Price and Sonny Gray.
Wright’s college career is over unless Vanderbilt beats Clemson in the Regional final Monday afternoon. If Vandy wins, they’ll advance to play Oregon State in the Super Regionals, thus giving Wright at least one more start.
