Dylan Lesko, the Padres’ first pick in the MLB Draft. Photo credit: Screen shot, MLB.com
The Padres focused on mound needs with their Sunday picks, leading off with high-school pitcher Dylan Lesko, the No. 15 selection in the MLB Draft, which began in Los Angeles.
Lesko, 18, though, out of Buford High in Georgia, had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in April, so he will have to log some recovery time.
Nonetheless, the prospect maintained his position among the top possible picks compiled by MLB Pipeline.
The Padres added two other pitchers later Sunday, another high schooler and a college hurler.
Padres select RHP Dylan Lesko 15th overall!
He was the first ever HS junior to win National Player of the Year in 2021 after going 11-0 with a 0.35 ERA and 112 K in 60 IP
Initially, projected Top 10 pick before TJ surgery this spring pic.twitter.com/ihXwtnJcxG
— Farm To Fame (@FarmToFame_) July 18, 2022
In his last full season, as a junior in 2021, Lesko had a perfect 11-0 record with a 0.35 ERA and 112 strikeouts. He also became the only junior to win Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year honors.
As for the young man’s future, MLB cited stars Lucas Giolito and Walker Buehler as recent examples of prospects who had early major surgeries like Lesko, yet have thrived.
The recent graduate, though, does have college plans, at Vanderbilt, should he not sign with the Padres.
The Friars held two other Sunday picks:
- No. 39 – Pitcher Robby Snelling, McQueen High School in Nevada.
- No. 53 –Pitcher Adam Mazur, 21, Iowa, a Minnesota native.
The Baltimore Orioles had the No. 1 pick and drafted Jackson Holliday, the son of former major leaguer Matt Holliday.
In addition, the St. Louis Cardinals used their No. 59 pick University of San Diego junior Brycen Mautz – on the lefty’s birthday no less. The pitcher turned 21 Sunday.
The draft continues through Tuesday.