Look back at every pick from Day 1 of the MLB Draft with theScore's MLB Draft Tracker, which incl...

<p><em>Look back at every pick from Day 1 of the MLB Draft with theScore's <a>MLB Draft Tracker</a>, which includes trades and rumors from around the league.</em></p><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/teams/11" href="http://www.thescore.com/mlb/teams/11">Los Angeles Angels</a> have selected Fresno State catcher Taylor Ward with the 26th overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft.</p><p>One of the surprise picks in the first round, Ward possesses what many believe to be the best arm behind the plate. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Serving as the backup catcher on the U.S. collegiate national team, his offense still lags behind his defense, though he should be able to grow in the minors.</p><p><strong>Bio</strong></p><p>Position: C<br>School: Fresno State<br>Height/Weight: 6-1, 190 pounds<br>Age: 21<br>Bats: Right; Throws: Right</p><p><strong>Stats</strong></p><figure><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>AB</th>
<th>AVG</th>
<th>R</th>
<th>HR</th>
<th>RBI</th>
<th>SB</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>214</td>
<td>.304</td>
<td>39</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><strong>Highlights</strong></p><figure><iframe src="http://m.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=86968383&amp;topic_id=67565098&amp;width=400&amp;height=224&amp;property=mlb" width="400" height="224" frameborder="0">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></figure><p>(Courtesy: <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/home">MLB.com</a>)</p>

MLB Baseball

Los Angeles Angels

Day 1 of the 2015 MLB Draft is complete and theScore had you covered with all the picks from the ...

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/darren-kritzer/content_cards

Darren Kritzer

Supervising Editor

<p>Day 1 of the 2015 MLB Draft is complete and theScore had you covered with all the picks from the first round.</p><p><strong>Related</strong>: <a href="http://tradedeadline.thescore.com/mlb/drafttracker/draft">MLB Draft Tracker from Day 1 with all picks from the first two rounds</a></p><h3>2015 first round selections</h3><figure><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pick No.</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Selection</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>ARI</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/774541" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/774541">SS Dansby Swanson</a> (Vanderbilt)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>HOU*</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/772079" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/772079">SS Alex Bregman</a> (LSU)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>COL</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/774477" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/774477">SS Brendan Rodgers</a> (Lake Mary HS - FLA)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>TEX</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/763837" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/763837">RHP Dillon Tate</a> (UC Santa Barbara)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>HOU</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/776443" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/776443">OF Kyle Tucker</a> (Plant HS - Tampa)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>MIN</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/775481" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/775481">LHP Tyler Jay</a> (Illinois)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>BOS</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/777226" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/777226">OF Andrew Benintendi</a> (Arkansas)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>CWS</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/762652" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/762652">RHP Carson Fulmer</a> (Vanderbilt)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>CHC</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/772091" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/772091">OF Ian Happ</a> (Cincinnati)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>PHI</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/776142" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/776142">SS Cornelius Randolph</a> (Griffin HS - GA)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td>CIN</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/768419" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/768419">C Tyler Stephenson</a> (Kennesaw Mountain HS - GA)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12</td>
<td>MIA</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/777229" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/777229">1B Josh Naylor</a> (St. Joan of Arc Catholic HS - Mississauga - ON)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td>TB</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/775485" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/775485">OF Garrett Whitley</a> (Niskayuna HS - NY)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14</td>
<td>ATL</td>
<td>
<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/764858" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/764858"> LHP Kolby Allard</a> (San Clemente HS - California)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td>MIL</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/762917" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/762917">OF Trenton Clark</a> (Richland HS - North Richland Hills - TX)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16</td>
<td>NYY</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/774562" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/774562">RHP James Kaprielian</a> (UCLA)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td>CLE</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/763929" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/763929">LHP Brady Aiken</a> (IMG Academy)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18</td>
<td>SF</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/773993" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/773993">RHP Phil Bickford</a> (Southern Nevada)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td>PIT</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/773421" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/773421">SS Kevin Newman</a> (Arizona)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20</td>
<td>OAK</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/774397" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/774397">SS Richie Martin</a> (Florida)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td>KC</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/763300" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/763300">RHP Ashe Russell</a> (Cathedral Catholic HS - Indianapolis)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>22</td>
<td>DET</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/776972" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/776972">RHP Beau Burrows</a> (Weatherford HS - TX)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>23</td>
<td>STL</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/774501" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/774501">OF Nick Plummer</a> (Brother Rice HS - MI)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>24</td>
<td>LAD</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/770318" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/770318">RHP Walker Buehler</a> (Vanderbilt)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td>BAL</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/765041" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/765041">OF D.J. Stewart</a> (Florida State)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>26</td>
<td>LAA</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/777228" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/777228">C Taylor Ward</a> (Fresno State - CA)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><strong>Related</strong>: <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/777389" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/777389">On day of Correa's debut, Astros beef up farm system with trio of standout draft picks</a></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>*Compensation for not signing 2014 No. 1 overall pick Brady Aiken.</p><figure><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Compensation Picks</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Selection</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>27</td>
<td>COL</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/772059" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/772059">RHP Mike Nikorak</a> (Stroudsburg HS - PA)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>28</td>
<td>ATL</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/777231" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/777231">RHP Mike Soroka</a> (Bishop Carroll HS - Calgary - AB)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29</td>
<td>TOR</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/764972" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/764972">RHP Jon Harris</a> (Missouri State)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>30</td>
<td>NYY</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/774389" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/774389">SS Kyle Holder</a> (San Diego)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td>SF</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/774519" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/774519">1B Chris Shaw</a> (Boston College)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>32</td>
<td>PIT</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/776973" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/776973">3B Ke'Bryan Hayes</a> (Concordia Lutheran HS - TX)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>33</td>
<td>KC</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/777230" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/777230">RHP Nolan Watson</a> (Lawrence North HS - IN)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>34</td>
<td>DET</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/777422" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/777422">OF Christin Stewart</a> (Tennessee)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>35</td>
<td>LAD</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/772067" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/772067">RHP Kyle Funkhouser</a> (Louisville)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>36</td>
<td>BAL</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/777250" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/777250">SS Ryan Mountcastle</a> (Hagerty HS - FL)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><figure><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Competitive Balance A</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Selection</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>37</td>
<td>HOU (via trade with MIA)</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/775863" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/775863">OF Daz Cameron</a> (Eagle's Landing Christian Academy - GA)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>38</td>
<td>COL</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/777428" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/777428">3B Tyler Nevin</a> (Poway HS - CA)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>39</td>
<td>STL</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/777430" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/777430">RHP Jake Woodford</a> (H.B. Plant HS - FL)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>40</td>
<td>MIL</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/775851" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/775851">LHP Nathan Kirby</a> (Virginia)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>41</td>
<td>ATL (via trade with SD)</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/777432" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/777432">3B Austin Riley</a> (DeSoto Central HS - MS)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>42</td>
<td>CLE</td>
<td> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/777434" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/777434">RHP Triston McKenzie</a> (Royal Palm Beach HS - FL)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3>Further Reading</h3><p>ESPN's Keith Law (<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/mlb-draft/insider/post?id=2266">Insider Only</a>) has more on the Diamondbacks' selection of Dansby Swanson first overall.</p><blockquote><p>Finally, we have an answer. After a spring of aggressive scouting by Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart and incessant discussion about potential money-saving moves, the Diamondbacks select Swanson with the first overall pick. Swanson represents the best combination of positional certainty and offensive impact among the shortstops at the top of the draft. He's going to get on base, swipe some bags and hit for power while playing solid defense at shortstop despite an average arm. He should move quickly, though don't be surprised if he swings and misses a bit. </p></blockquote><p>Law also has more on the Rockies selection of shortstop Brendan Rodgers, who was his top player on the board.</p><blockquote><p>The Rockies grab the top player on our board. Described by some, including our own Keith Law, as "Diet Tulo," Rodgers projects to stay at shortstop and hit for both average and power. He has the quickest wrists in the draft and wowed onlookers when he squared up a Justin Hooper 97 mph fastball and drove it to the warning track at a showcase at Petco Park last summer. He's old for the class but has done nothing but hit against the very best of his peers for several years. His detractors are concerned about his body filling out, forcing a move to third base, where he might not have enough power to profile as an impact regular. Colorado has picks at 27, 38 and 44 so they're not done, but they've already done well here.</p></blockquote><p>Among the more surprising selections on Day 1 was Josh Naylor, a Canadian high-schooler selected 12th overall by the Marlins. Though he's lauded for his power and hitting ability, Naylor has a hefty build and might wind up a DH in professional baseball, according to Law:</p><blockquote><p>It's first-round power for sure, and scouting director Stan Meek has always preferred players with size, but between the possible lack of a position and the work Naylor will have to do to stay in shape, there's a lot of risk here.</p></blockquote><p><a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/shortstops-injured-pitchers-among-notable-storylines-drafts-first-day/">Teddy Cahill of Baseball America</a>, meanwhile, offered some insight into the Indians' decision to take left-hander Brady Aiken with the 17th pick. Selected first overall in last year's draft, Aiken underwent Tommy John surgery in March, less than one year after contract negotiations with the Astros famously collapsed over concerns about his elbow.</p><blockquote>
<p>Indians scouting director Brad Grant praised the Indians scouts for their work evaluating Aiken over the last two years. He declined to comment on the specifics of Aiken’s medical issues, saying only that the Indians did their due diligence and felt good about selecting him.</p>
<p>Grant said the Indians also liked Aiken’s intangibles.</p>
<p>"That’s one of the things that really stands out with Brady is his character and work ethic and his commitment to getting better," Grant said. "That’s something that definitely stood out in terms of his character and his willingness to return from here."</p>
</blockquote><p>The Pirates earned praise from numerous talent evaluators for their efforts on Day 1, including <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=26595">Christopher Crawford of Baseball Prospectus</a>, who raved about the club's selection of Arizona shortstop Kevin Newman at No. 19.</p><blockquote><p>If Cleveland is the best drafting team in the American League, Pittsburgh would be my choice for best drafting team in the NL, and this was another great pick. Newman is a lock to stick at shortstop, and as seen in his back-to-back batting titles, he has a very advanced hit-tool—possibly even plus-plus. The power is a 30 right now on the 20-80 scale, but some adjustments with the lower half could see it tick up a grade. I thought he was a top-10 talent, and getting him at 19 is a fantastic result for the Pirates.</p></blockquote><h3>Top Tweets</h3><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dbacks?src=hash">#Dbacks</a> sct dir Deric Ladnier and VP De Jon Watson agreed on Swanson about month ago but went through process to make sure.</p>— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveGilbertMLB/status/608053572069146625">June 8, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/dbacks?src=hash">#dbacks</a> person on dansby swanson: "has all the tools, great character, successful in the spotlight already"</p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/608052811406954496">June 8, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rangers?src=hash">#Rangers</a> new prospect Dillon Tate has a deep repertoire with a mid to high 90's fastball.</p>— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/BerniePleskoff/status/608054578437885952">June 8, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shortstop. Shortstop. Shortstop. Considering the state of position in the big leagues today -- three with OPS over .770 -- new blood needed.</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/608052853048016896">June 8, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">As 12th <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLBDraft?src=hash">#MLBDraft</a> pick, Mississauga's <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshNaylor44">@JoshNaylor44</a> becomes fourth-highest Canadian-born player ever selected &amp; highest position player.</p>— Alexis Brudnicki (@baseballexis) <a href="https://twitter.com/baseballexis/status/608065760926179328">June 9, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The slot value for the 17th pick: $2,393,600, less than half of what Houston offered Brady Aiken last year.</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/608072993512779777">June 9, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SFGiants?src=hash">#SFGiants</a> top pick Phil Bickford has great hair. Will fit right in with MadBum and Brandon Crawford. <a href="http://t.co/nVAxE8h129">pic.twitter.com/nVAxE8h129</a></p>— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/608074699545919488">June 9, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bregman on signing: I’m ready to get to work. I’m ready to go put in the time and the hours..."</p>— Brian McTaggart ⚾️ (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/608084901196263425">June 9, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Holder is the best defensive SS in this class on many team's boards. ? are how much he will hit.</p>— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) <a href="https://twitter.com/jjcoop36/status/608091264219639808">June 9, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Of course, Dodgers take Funkhouser because LA writers get to have all the fun.</p>— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) <a href="https://twitter.com/Evan_P_Grant/status/608097970660233218">June 9, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

Angels select Fresno State catcher Taylor Ward with the 26th pick overall

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