Jarred Kelenic/Photo by Ed Delany, MMO
Baseball America recently took a look back at the 2018 MLB Draft, as they released the report cards for each team’s 2018 Draft Class.
Of note, New York Mets top draft pick Jarred Kelenic, is being regarded by BA as the “best pure hitter” of the organization’s draft class.
At just 18-years old, the Mets selected Kelenic with the sixth overall pick in the draft. He got off to an extremely strong start to his career in the Mets organization. In 56 games, he hit .286/.371/.468 with ten doubles, six triples, six home runs, and fifteen stolen bases.
Thanks to his extremely strong arm, he recorded nine outfield assists in center this season. This is one of the reasons Kelenic is also being viewed as both the “top defender” and “best athlete” in the Mets 2018 draft class.
Fifth round selection Ryley Gilliam also received some recognition from Baseball America in the Mets draft class report card. Because of his ability to miss bats, Gilliam is being viewed as the 2018 Mets draft pick who is “closest to making an impact at the big league level.”
The righty out of Clemson University had a strong first season as a member of the Brooklyn Cyclones. He recorded five saves and posted a 16.1 K/9 and 2.08 ERA over 17 innings pitched.
Gilliam complements his mid-90’s fastball with a 12-to-6 curveball, which he commands well, and is considered by BA as the “best secondary pitch” in this Mets draft class.
If you are a Baseball America subscriber, be sure to head over to their site to check out the rest of their selections for the Mets 2018 draft class, including best power, best fastball, and best late round pick.
