MLB Draft 2019: See Stanford's Prospects Selected

PALO ALTO, CA — The 2019 MLB Draft got underway this week and five talented students from Palo Alto's Stanford University were selected. Rounds 1 and 2 were completed Monday night in Secaucus, New Jersey, with 78 players selected.

Out of Stanford:

• Kyle Stowers, who plays center field, was selected by the Baltimore Orioles. He bats and throws left handed.
• Erik Miller, who pitches, was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies. He bats and throws left handed.
• Jack Little, who pitches, was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats left handed and throws right handed.
• Maverick Handley, who catches, was selected by the Baltimore Orioles. He bats and throws right handed.
• Will Matthieson, who pitches, was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He bats and throws right handed.

Here’s what the experts have to say about the prospects.

Drafted No. 1 overall by the Baltimore Orioles, Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman joined notable past players such as Carlos Correa, Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, David Price, Gerrit Cole, Justin Upton, Joe Mauer, Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Hamilton, and, of course, Alex Rodriguez to earn the distinction.

Rutschman, a switch-hitter, was the “consensus” best prospect in the draft, according to MLB.com. He can hit for average and power and knows the strike zone well, drawing many walks. He’s also “quality” on defense.

“He now becomes the face of the franchise,” MLB.com wrote.

Here are the top 10 players selected and their schools:

1. Baltimore Orioles: Adley Rutschman, catcher, Oregon State
2. Kansas City Royals: Bobby Witt Jr., shortstop, Colleyville, TX, Heritage High School
3. Chicago White Sox: Andrew Vaughn, first baseman, California
4. Miami Marlins: JJ Bleday, outfield, Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN
5. Detroit Tigers: Riley Greene, outfield, Hagerty High School, Oviedo, FL
6. San Diego Padres: CJ Abrams, shortstop, Blessed Trinity Catholic High School, Roswell, GA
7. Cincinnati Reds: Nick Lodolo, pitcher, Texas Christian, Fort Worth, TX
8. Texas Rangers: Josh Jung, third baseman, Texas Tech, Lubbock, TX
9. Atlanta Braves: Shea Langeliers, catcher, Baylor, Waco, TX
10. San Francisco Giants: Hunter Bishop, outfield, Arizona State, Tempe, AZ

The draft was to continue Tuesday afternoon with rounds three through 10, then again on Wednesday with rounds 11 through 40. MLB.com was to livestream coverage of the rounds.

—Patch national staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.