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Let’s take a look at where the MLB Draft Class of 2016 is now

By Joshua Sadlock

TAMPA, FL - JUNE 03: Mickey Moniak (2) of the Threshers hits his first home run of the season during the Florida State League game between the Florida Fire Frogs and the Clearwater Threshers on June 03, 2018, at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JUNE 03: Mickey Moniak (2) of the Threshers hits his first home run of the season during the Florida State League game between the Florida Fire Frogs and the Clearwater Threshers on June 03, 2018, at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – MAY 23: Josh Lowe (28) of the Stone Crabs at bat during the Florida State League game between the Charlotte Stone Crabs and the Tampa Tarpons on May 23, 2018, at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – MAY 23: Josh Lowe (28) of the Stone Crabs at bat during the Florida State League game between the Charlotte Stone Crabs and the Tampa Tarpons on May 23, 2018, at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

13. Tampa Bay Rays: Josh Lowe, 3B, Pope HS (GA)

Tampa Bay took Georgia high schooler Josh Lowe with the 13th pick and bet on their ability to convince him to back out of his commitment to Florida State. The Rays paid Lowe $2.6 million to forego college, and they got themselves a very toolsy hitter who some scouts also believed had what it took to make it on the mound. Regardless of position, Lowe was viewed as one of the best athletes in the 2016 class.

Lowe’s results so far have been mixed, and the Rays have elected to develop him as a hitter instead of a pitcher. After a middling debut at the Rookie level in 2016, the Rays put Lowe on an accelerated path for his first full season and sent him to Single-A. He had mixed results again but showed good speed. He was converted from third base to center field, and has looked good in the outfield, where his speed carries him.

The bat hasn’t quite come around yet for Lowe, as he is a .248/.331/.388 hitter in the minor leagues with a fairly high strikeout rate. He does still have room for growth as a hitter, and has already hit a career-high 11 home runs in 2019. The 6-foot-4 outfielder hasn’t quite figured out how to fully tap the power in his large frame.

Because of his great athleticism, Lowe is still a future big leaguer, if only as a late-inning replacement for defensive purposes. He might not be an impact player at the MLB level, but this pick is not a bust for the Rays.

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