It’s often said that a draft class can’t be truly evaluated till at least five baseball seasons have passed - that puts the 2018 class on the dime albeit with the 2020 Covid year perhaps there’s some leeway. Here’s a look regardless.
Using Baseball Reference data there have been 155 players from the 2018 class drafted and signed that season who have reached the major leagues. Of those 155 there are 68 that are currently active on major league rosters with 11 others noted that are currently on the short or long term IL that would be active major leaguers otherwise.
Of the 68 currently active major leaguers from the draft class 37 are pitchers and 31 are position players. Of the 31 position players 22 are starting lineup regulars - 13 of the 37 pitchers are currently starting rotation hurlers. Lastly 44 of the 68 current major leaguers are still playing for the team that drafted and signed them in 2018.
The Phillies, Diamondbacks and Guardians draft classes lead the way in regards to the most players who are making solid or strong major league contributions to their current clubs.
Standout performers so far this season in the majors from the 2018 draft class include the following :
3B Alec Bohm - Phillies 1st round pick - # 3 overall - .346/.413/.549 slash line - .962 OPS - 150 PA’s
SS Jeremy Pena - Astros 3rd round pick - # 102 overall - .326/.367/.464 slash line in 147 PA’s - .831 OPS
2B Brice Tuang - Brewers 1st round pick - # 21 overall - .316/.382/.444 slash line in 131 PA’s - .826 OPS
OF Jake McCarthy - Diamondbacks CB-A pick - # 39 overall - .303/.379/.382 in 89 PA’s
C Ryan Jeffers - Twins 2nd round pick - # 59 overall - .306/.385/.631 with 8 HR’s in 130 PA’s
RHP Logan Gilbert - Mariners 1st round pick - # 14 overall - 1.69 ERA in seven starts - 48 IP - 0.79 WHIP
LHP Tarik Skubal - Tigers 9th round pick - # 255 overall - 1.90 ERA in 7 starts - 42.2 IP
RHP Brady Singer - Royals 1st round pick - # 18 overall - 2.36 ERA in 8 starts - 45.2 IP
Others that are lineup regulars :
OF Matt Vierling - Phillies 5th round pick - # 137 overall - now with Tigers - .282/.306/.437 in 108 PA’s
C Logan O’Hoppe - Phillies 23rd round pick - #677 overall - now with Angels - .278/.328/.398 in 117 PA’s
2B Nolan Gorman - Cardinals 1st round pick - # 19 overall - .175/.248/.325 with .573 OPS in 125 PA’s
UTL Brendan Donavan - Cardinals 7th round pick - # 213 overall - .223/.297/.381 with .678 OPS in 158 PA’s
2B Nico Hoerner - Cubs 1st round pick - # 24 overall - .273/.348/.385 in 161 PA’s, 10 HR
OF Alek Thomas - Diamondbacks 2nd round pick - # 63 overall - .214/.214/.500 in 14 PA’s - has been on IL
SS Blaze Alexander - Diamondbacks 11th round pick - # 339 overall - .282/.378/.479 in 82 PA’s
CF James Outman - Dodgers 7th round pick - # 224 overall - .163/.260/.293 in 104 PA’s
CF Jarren Duran - Red Sox 7th round pick - # 220 overall - .266/.337/.416 in 172 PA’s
2B Jonathan India - Reds 1st round pick - # 5 overall - .217/.331/.313 in 136 PA’s
CF Kyle Isbel - Royals 3rd round pick - # 94 overall - .217/.252/.349 in 112 PA’s
C Bo Naylor - Guardians 1st round pick - # 29 overall - .176/.272/.286 in 103 PA’s
C Cal Raleigh - Mariners 3rd round pick - # 90 overall - .209/.298/.452 in 131 PA’s, 9 HR’s
C Nick Fortes - Marlins 4th round pick - # 117 overall - .129/.164/.200 in 74 PA’s
OF Jarred Kelenic - Mets 1st round pick - # 6 overall - now with Braves - .286/.337/.377 in 83 PA’s
2B/OF Rich Palacios - Guardians 3rd round pick - # 103 overall - now with Rays - .280/.410/.427 in 101 PA’s
OF Trevor Larnach - Twins 1st round pick - # 20 overall - .358/.407/.566 in 59 PA’s
Other Starting Pitchers :
RHP Kyle Bradish - Angels 4th round pick - # 121 overall - now with Orioles - 1.86 ERA - 2 starts off IL - 30 starts - 2023
RHP Cooper Criswall - Angels 13th round pick - # 391 overall - now with Red Sox - 1.74 ERA in 5 games - 20.2 IP
RHP Reese Olson - Brewers 13th round pick - # 395 overall - now with Tigers - 2.52 ERA in 7 starts - 39.1 IP
RHP Joe Ryan - Rays 7th round pick - # 210 overall - now with Twins - 3.54 ERA in 7 starts - 40.2 IP
RHP Ryan Weathers - Padres 1st round pick - # 7 overall - now with Marlins - 4.54 ERA in 8 starts - 41.2 IP
RHP Ryan Feltner - Rockies 4th round pick - # 126 overall - 5.54 ERA in 7 starts - 39 IP
LHP Daniel Lynch IV - Royals 1C round pick - # 34 overall - just recalled as starter - made 1 start thus far this yr
RHP Casey Mize - Tigers 1st round pick - # 1 overall - 3.98 ERA in 6 starts - 31.2 IP
RHP Simeon Woods Richardson - Mets 2nd round pick - # 48 overall - now with Twins - 1.74 ERA in 4 starts - 20.2 IP
RHP Jake Irvin - Nationals 4th round pick - # 131 overall - 3.72 ERA in 7 starts - 38.2 IP
2018 Draft Breakdown by Teams :
Phillies :
Total that have reached major leagues : 4
On Phillies active ML roster : 1
Active Major Leaguers : 4
3B Alec Bohm (1st round) - starting third baseman for the Phillies
OF Matt Vierling (5th round) - starting 3B/OF for the Tigers (traded for LHP Gregory Soto)
RHP James McArthur (12th round) - closer for the Royals (traded for OF Junior Marin)
C Logan O’Hoppe (23rd round) - starting catcher for the Angels (traded for OF Brandon Marsh)
Angels :
Total that have reached major leagues : 7
On Angels active ML roster : 0
Active Major Leaguers : 2
RHP Kyle Bradish (4th round) - key part of Orioles rotation - 54 starts last three seasons
RHP Cooper Criswall (13th round) - part of Red Sox rotation this season
Note : RHP Isiah Campbell (24th round) - on 15 day IL - is part of Red Sox bullpen
Astros :
Total that have reached major leagues : 6
On Astros active ML roster : 2
Active Major Leaguers : 2
SS Jeremy Pena (3rd round) - starting shortstop for the Astros
RHP Shawn Dubin (13th round) - part of the Astros bullpen
Athletics :
Total that have reached major leagues : 6
On Athletics active ML roster : 3
Active Major Leaguers : 4
LHP Hogan Harris (3rd round) - recently called up to A’s bullpen
OF Lawrence Butler (6th round) - part of outfield rotation with A’s
RHP Gus Varland (14th round) - recent call up to Dodgers bullpen
UTL Max Schuemann (20th round) - bench reserve with the A’s
Blue Jays :
Total that have reached major leagues : 5
On Blue Jays active ML roster : 0
Active Major Leaguers : 0
Braves :
Total that have reached major leagues : 3
On Braves active ML roster : 0
Active Major Leaguers : 1
RHP Victor Vodnik (14th round) - key part of Rockies bullpen
Brewers :
Total that have reached major leagues : 8
On Brewers active ML roster : 1
Active Major Leaguers : 3
2B Brice Turang (1st round) - starting second baseman for the Brewers
C/1B/OF David Fry (7th round) - key utility role for the Guardians
RHP Reese Olson (13th round) - part of rotation for Tigers this season and last
Note : RHP Drew Rasmussen (6th round) is currently on the Rays 60 day IL however was a key starter in 2023 for Tampa.
Cardinals :
Total that have reached major leagues : 5
On Cardinals active ML roster : 4
Active Major Leaguers : 4
2B Nolan Gorman (1st round) - starting second baseman for Cardinals
UTL Brendan Donavan (7th round) - starter in a utility role for Cardinals
OF Lars Nootbar (8th round) - reserve outfielder for Cardinals
RHP Kyle Leahy (17th round) - recent call up to Cardinals bullpen
Cubs :
Total that have reached major leagues : 2
On Blue Jays active ML roster : 1
Active Major Leaguers : 1
2B Nico Hoerner (1st round) - starting second baseman for the Cubs
Rays :
Total that have reached major leagues : 5
On Rays active ML roster : 0
Active Major Leaguers : 2
LHP Matthew Liberatore (1st round) - key part of the Nationals bullpen
RHP Joe Ryan (7th round) - part of Twins starting rotation this season and previous three years
Note : LHP Shane McClanahan (1st round) is on the Rays 60 day IL - was a key starter the past three seasons. Also RHP Taj Bradley (5th round) is rehabbing in minors (on 15 day IL) - was part of starting rotation last season
Diamondbacks :
Total that have reached major leagues : 6
On Diamondbacks active ML roster : 3
Active Major Leaguers : 4
OF Jake McCarthy (1st round) - starting right fielder for Diamondbacks
OF Alek Thomas (2nd round) - starting center fielder for Diamondbacks
LHP Tyler Holton (9th round) - key part of Tigers bullpen this season and last
SS Blaze Alexander (11th round) - starter for Diamondbacks
Note : INF Matt McClain (1st round) is on the Reds 60 day IL - was a lineup regular for them last season.
Dodgers :
Total that have reached major leagues : 3
On Dodgers active ML roster : 2
Active Major Leaguers : 3
RHP Michael Grove (2nd round) - currently part of the Dodgers bullpen
OF James Outman (7th round) - starting center fielder for Dodgers
RHP Stephen Kolek (11th round) - key member of Padres bullpen
Giants :
Total that have reached major leagues : 7
On Giants active ML roster : 3
Active Major Leaguers : 4
C Joey Bart (1st round) - backup catcher with the Pirates
RHP Sean Hjelle (2nd round) - just recalled as part of Giants bullpen
RHP Keaton Winn (5th round) - part of this years Giants rotation
RHP Ryan Walker (31st round) - key part of Giants bullpen
Guardians :
Total that have reached major leagues : 9
On Guardians active ML roster : 3
Active Major Leaguers : 4
C Bo Naylor (1st round) - starting catcher for the Guardians
RHP Nick Sandin (2nd round) - key member of Guardians bullpen this season and past three years
2B/OF Rich Palacios (3rd round) - lineup regular for the Rays
LHP Tim Herrin (29th round) - key member of current Guardians bullpen
Note : CF Steven Kwan (5th round) - currently on 10 day IL - normally Guardians starting center fielder
Mariners :
Total that have reached major leagues : 6
On Mariners active ML roster : 2
Active Major Leaguers : 2
RHP Logan Gilbert (1st round) - key part of Mariners rotation this season as he has been previous three years
C Cal Raleigh (3rd round) - Mariners starting catcher
Marlins :
Total that have reached major leagues : 4
On Marlins active ML roster : 2
Active Major Leaguers : 3
C Nick Fortes (4th round) - Marlins starting catcher
RHP Eli Villabos (14th round) - recently added to Marlins bullpen
LHP Alex Vesia (17th round) - key part of current Dodgers bullpen as has been prior three seasons
Mets :
Total that have reached major leagues : 5
On Mets active ML roster : 1
Active Major Leaguers : 2
OF Jarred Kelenic (1st round) - starting left fielder for Braves - starter for Mariner prior three years
RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (2nd round) - now in starting rotation with Twins
Note : RHP Tyler Megill (8th round) - currently on 15 day IL - in starting rotation for Mets as has been past 3 years
Nationals :
Total that have reached major leagues : 5
On Nationals active ML roster : 1
Active Major Leaguers : 1
RHP Jake Irvin (4th round) - in starting rotation for Nationals as he was last season
Orioles :
Total that have reached major leagues : 3
On Orioles active ML roster : 0
Active Major Leaguers : 0
Note : RHP Grayson Rodriguez (1st round) - currently on 15 day IL - is in Orioles starting rotation as he was last season.
Padres :
Total that have reached major leagues : 6
On Padres active ML roster : 0
Active Major Leaguers : 2
RHP Ryan Weathers (1st round) - in starting rotation for Marlins - was starter for Padres prior three seasons
RHP Steven Wilson (8th round) - key part of White Sox bullpen - was regular in Padres bullpen prior two years
Pirates :
Total that have reached major leagues : 5
On Pirates active ML roster : 0
Active Major Leaguers : 0
Rangers :
Total that have reached major leagues : 4
On Rangers active ML roster : 2
Active Major Leaguers : 2
RHP Cole Winn (1st round) - part of current Rangers bullpen
RHP Owen White (2nd round) - recently added to Rangers bullpen
Red Sox :
Total that have reached major leagues : 4
On Red Sox active ML roster : 1
Active Major Leaguers : 2
OF Jarren Duran (7th round) - is the Red Sox starting center fielder as he was last season
RHP Ryan Fernandez (23rd round) - currently key part of Cardinals bullpen
Note : 1B Tristan Casas (1st round) is currently on the 60 day IL - otherwise is the starter for Red Sox at 1B
Reds :
Total that have reached major leagues : 5
On Reds active ML roster : 0
Active Major Leaguers : 2
2B Jonathan India (1st round) - starting 2B for Reds as he has been past three seasons
OF Michael Siani (4th round) - reserve outfielder with Cardinals
Note : RHP Josiah Gray (2nd round) - currently on 15 day IL with Nationals - is key part of their rotation - has been past 3 seasons
Rockies :
Total that have reached major leagues : 4
On Rockies active ML roster : 2
Active Major Leaguers : 2
RHP Ryan Feltner (4th round) - part of Rockies starting rotation as he has been prior two seasons
RHP Jake Bird (5th round) - frequent worker in Rockies bullpen as he has been prior two seasons
Royals :
Total that have reached major leagues : 9
On Royals active ML roster : 3
Active Major Leaguers : 3
RHP Brady Singer (1st round) - key starter in Royals rotation as has been prior four seasons
LHP Daniel Lynch IV (1st round) - recently returned to Royals starting rotation - has been starter prior 3 seasons
OF Kyle Isbel (3rd round) - starting center fielder for Royals
Note : LHP Kris Bubic (1st round) is current on the 60 day IL (Royals) - has been a starter past three seasons
Tigers :
Total that have reached major leagues : 5
On Tigers active ML roster : 3
Active Major Leaguers : 3
RHP Casey Mize (1st round) - regular part of Tigers starting rotation again as was in 2021 prior to injury.
UTL Kody Clemens (3rd round) - reserve role with Phillies
LHP Tarik Skubal (9th round) - part of Tigers starting rotation as has been prior three seasons.
Twins :
Total that have reached major leagues : 5
On Twins active ML roster : 4
Active Major Leaguers : 4
OF Trevor Larnach (1st round) - currently starting left fielder for Twins
C Ryan Jeffers (2nd round) - starting catcher for Twins as he was last season
RHP Cole Sands (5th round) - member of current Twins bullpen
LHP Kyle Funderburk (15th round) - member of current Twins bullpen
White Sox :
Total that have reached major leagues : 9
On White Sox active ML roster : 0
Active Major Leaguers : 2
INF Nick Madrigal (1st round) - reserve infielder with Cubs
UTL Romy Gonzalez (18th round) - recently picked up off waivers by Red Sox from White Sox
Yankees :
Total that have reached major leagues : 2
On Yankees active ML roster : 0
Active Major Leaguers : 0
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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