MLB Draft

Clemson University’s Clate Schmidt was at Turner Field in July 2015 to meet Chicago Cubs star Jon Lester—anxious to discuss the many things they had in common.

Both are pitchers. Both were high school baseball prodigies—with Schmidt earning All-American honors. The Boston Red Sox drafted both, though Schmidt elected to return to Clemson for his senior season. He also chose not to sign after the Tigers selected him out of high school.

Unfortunately, they shared one more common bond.

The 2016 MLB draft concluded Saturday, and every team hopes its scouting paid off in the form of an impact prospect.

The draft was a three-day process. The first and second rounds took place Thursday. Rounds 3 through 10 unfolded on Friday, and Saturday saw the fourth round through 40th round come to an end.

Of the so-called four major professional sports leagues in the U.S., MLB's draft is by far the hardest to assess.

Even the best players won't make their big league debuts for two or three seasons. The ones who get fast-tracked are more than likely to be short relievers—guys who aren't typically drafted high enough to garner national attention.

Exactly 1,216 picks later, the 2016 Major League Baseball draft is over. We'll know how everyone made out in, oh, five years or so.

But while we could wait patiently until then, here's a better idea: Let's rush to judgment!

Soon-to-be Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza wasn't drafted until the 62nd round of the 1988 MLB draft, when the Los Angeles Dodgers made him the 1,390th overall selection. Not only was he the biggest steal of that draft, but he stands as one of the biggest draft steals of all time.

The Seattle Mariners found a new way to honor Ken Griffey Jr., selecting the Hall of Famer's son, Trey Griffey, on the final day of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.  

Per Greg Johns of MLB.com, the Mariners selected Griffey in the 24th round out of the University of Arizona.

Player: Torii Hunter Jr.

Position: OF

DOB: June 7, 1995 (21 years old)

Height/Weight: 6'2", 180 lbs

Bats/Throws: R/R

School: Notre Dame

Previously Drafted: 2013 (36th round, DET)

Background

Player: Jacob Heyward

Position: OF

DOB: August 1, 1995 (20 years old)

Height/Weight: 6'2", 210 lbs

Bats/Throws: R/R

School: Miami

Previously Drafted: 2013 (38th round by ATL)

Background

The process of stocking and building in Major League Baseball is a never-ending process. As the 2016 MLB Draft comes to a conclusion Saturday, the 2017 Draft is already in the works and scouts already have a solid handle on the star players who will make headlines next June.

Welcome to the third and final day of the 2016 MLB draft.

The first 10 rounds and 316 selections are in the books after a busy first two days, but there are still 30 rounds to go before this year's amateur draft officially concludes.

The action picks up once again Saturday at noon ET with Rounds 11-40, as hundreds more amateur players will hear their names called and see their pro careers begin.