MLB draft 2017 results: 1st round and Competitive Balance Round A picks, order, and live stream

With the 48th selection in the second round, the Rockies chose high school third baseman Ryan Vilade out of Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Here’s how Purple Row graded the pick:

The Rockies also had the 70th pick, which was in Competitive Balance Round B. They chose a right-handed pitcher out of the University of Virginia, Tommy Doyle.

Here’s how Purple Row graded this pick in the immediate aftermath:

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The 2017 MLB draft is underway and the Minnesota Twins started things with a bit of a surprise by picking high school shortstop Royce Lewis, though there were rumblings earlier in the day that he was an option there. The Cincinnati Reds followed by selecting high school righty Hunter Greene at No. 2 overall.

The Padres selected high school lefty MacKenzie Gore with the third overall pick. Brendan McKay, who was the other player the Twins were supposedly considering for No. 1 overall, went to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Vanderbilt righty Kyle Wright found himself as the No. 5 overall pick to the Atlanta Braves. Like the Padres, the Athletics dipped into North Carolina for their draft pick, selecting prep OF Austin Beck sixth overall. With the next two picks, the Diamondbacks and the Phillies turned to the University of Virginia, taking 1B Pavin Smith and OF Adam Haseley, respectively.

The Brewers went next at No. 9, drafting UC Irvine 2B Keston Hiura, and the Angels closed out the top 10 by adding Jordon Adell, a high school outfielder from Kentucky.

At No. 11, the White Sox took Missouri State 3B Jake Burger, who is probably already your favorite player name in this draft (give it some time, there’s plenty more names to be heard). The Pirates, Marlins, and Royals went the high school route with the next three picks: RHP Shane Baz, LHP Trevor Rogers, and 1B Nick Pratto. The Astros selected UNC RHP J.B. Bukauskas with the 15th overall pick.

The San Francisco Giants took high school outfielder Heliot Ramos out of Puerto Rico with the 19th overall pick. With the 20th pick, the Mets drafted Oregon LHP and Regis Jesuit (CO) alum David Peterson, who skyrocketed up draft boards this spring.

Closing out the NL West selections in the first round, the Dodgers drafted Vanderbilt’s Jeren Kendall, a lefty-hitting outfielder who has good power and is a solid defender. And with the 30th and final pick of the first round, the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs selected Alex Lange, a righty pitcher our of LSU.

In the six picks of the Competitive Balance Round A, the Reds’ selection of high school SS Jeter Downs was the highlight, because, yes, he was named after Derek Jeter.

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It’s time for the 2017 MLB draft, but you’ll have a bit of a wait this year to find out the Rockies’ first pick. They won’t be on the clock until the 48th overall selection, having lost the 11th overall slot for signing Ian Desmond. But hey, at least in 2018 the Rockies will likely have a late first-round draft choice because they’re on pace to make the playoffs.

But you’ll definitely want to follow the entire first night of the draft to find out where the top players wind up. Will Vanderbilt RHP Kyle Wright go No. 1 overall to the Minnesota Twins? Or will the Twins turn to pitcher Hunter Greene, making him the first righty high schooler to go No. 1 overall?

The San Diego Padres, connected often with prep LHP MacKenzie Gore, start the night for the NL West with the third overall pick. Louisville’s Brendan McKay is two-way player and a top-five pick at either position. The Arizona Diamondbacks are the other NL West team in the top 10 at No. 7 overall.

Those are just some of the players and storylines you, as a Rockies fan, or you, as an MLB draft fan, or you, as both, will want to pay attention to Monday night.

When does the MLB draft start and how many days does it last?

The draft starts on the night of Monday, June 12 and last through Wednesday, June 14. Plan accordingly, as the last two days of the draft occur during regular work hours. Don’t let your bosses know that you’re hearing the name of a future member of Cooperstown or waiting for the newest member of your All-Name MLB Draft team.

How can I watch it?

You can watch the MLB draft on the MLB Network. Pre-draft coverage starts at 4 p.m. MT, but the main event doesn’t start until 5 p.m. MT. Be aware that MLB Network will only air Round 1 and Competitive Balance Round A, which encompasses the first 36 picks. Round 2, when the Rockies first pick, and Competitive Balance Round B, also where the Rockies have a selection, will not be televised.

OK, but can I stream any of this online? I’m still in the office at when it starts.

Yep, head over to MLB.com and you’ll be able to watch the MLB Network’s feed for the first 36 picks. After that, MLB.com’s own production takes over for the rest of the first night. And if you can’t stream, you’ll still be able to follow along with their MLB draft tracker.

I ask this every year, but how many rounds does the draft last?

The draft is 40 rounds, which is shorter than the 50 it had been for years before that change. Until rounds were capped, the draft had gone on for as long as teams kept wanting to pick players.

In 1988, with the 1,390th overall pick (62nd round), the Los Angeles Dodgers selected future Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza. He is the lowest-drafted player to make Cooperstown, a record never to be broken under the current draft system.

Didn’t you use that example last year? Come to think about it, this is quite similar to last year’s post.

Yeah, want to fight me about it? Outside Coors Field, Opening Day 2018. Next question!

When do the Rockies make their first selection? It’s later because of the Ian Desmond signing, right? (You mentioned this at the start, but I’m humoring you here.)

Right. Because the Rockies finished last season with the 11th overall pick, it fell outside of the protected range during free agency. The Rockies signed Ian Desmond, forfeiting their first-round choice because the Texas Rangers gave him a qualifying offer. Colorado will make its first pick at No. 48 overall.

Here’s where the Rockies are picking for the entire draft:

Round 1: No. 11 overall
Round 2: No. 48 overall
Competitive Balance Round B: No. 70 overall
Round 3: No. 86 overall
Rounds 4-40: 11th each round (unless a team stops selecting earlier than the last round)

Who are some notable players selected with the 48th overall pick?

The Rockies most recently had the No. 48 pick in 2014, drafting right-handed pitcher Ryan Castellani there. In 2007, the Cubs selected Josh Donaldson, whose 32.9 career WAR is second-best among players selected with this pick. Cal Ripken Jr., drafted in 1978, has been the best player selected with the 48th overall pick.

Any good rumors, not necessarily about the Rockies’ draft?

10:28 a.m. MT — The Twins appear ready to pick either LHP/1B Brendan McKay or prep shortstop Royce Lewis, according to Jeff Passan.