D-backs make Swanson No. 1 overall pick

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- The story of Monday's First-Year Player Draft is a short one.

The first three players off the board from MLB Network's Studio 42 were shortstops, with Arizona making Vanderbilt infielder Dansby Swanson the first overall pick. Swanson is the second Vanderbilt player to be selected first overall in the First-Year Player Draft, following David Price in 2007.

Six of the first 20 players were shortstops, including LSU standout Alex Bregman to the Astros with the second pick and Florida high-schooler Brendan Rodgers to the Rockies at No. 3 overall.

In 64 games entering Monday, Swanson, a 6-foot-1 junior, hit .348 with 14 home runs and nearly as many walks (42) as strikeouts (45).

"This is very proud moment of the organization to be able to select Dansby Swanson, an exceptional baseball player that has all of the intangibles and makeup of a championship-type player for which this organization is building a foundation on," D-backs scouting director Deric Ladnier said in a statement. "He has above average defensive ability at the premium position of shortstop, and along with the defensive ability, he has a skilled bat with occasional power, and has proven success at the highest level of competition."

The Commodores played against Illinois in a Super Regional NCAA Tournament game in Champaign, Illinois on Monday. Swanson went 2-for-4 with a homer and was facing fellow first-round pick and Illini left-hander Tyler Jay -- who went sixth overall to the Twins.

"My ultimate dream is just to win every day," Swanson told MLB Network. "We're trying to pursue winning a national championship, and that's where my drive and passion is coming from. Just trying to do my best to help this team win. I can't have a lack of focus, basically. I've been trying to stay in the moment and worry about right now. Felt my teammates deserved that as well as the coaching staff."

The shortstop was named a Golden Spikes finalist alongside teammate and roommate, right-hander Carson Fulmer -- Fulmer went eighth overall to the White Sox. A third Commodore -- right-hander Walker Buehler -- also went in the first round, 24th overall to the Dodgers.

Swanson was still on the field with his Commodore teammates when Arizona made the pick. Vanderbilt baseball's Twitter feed posted a video of the team's reaction:

Dansby reacts to being drafted No. 1 by @Dbacks !!! pic.twitter.com/6AALJHWEZo

- Vandy Baseball (@VandyBaseball) June 8, 2015

The Marietta, Georgia native was a 38th-round pick by Colorado in the 2012 Draft, but did not sign. The slot value for the first overall pick in this year's Draft is $8,616,900, but Swanson is expected to make a deal for less than that.

With the second pick, the Astros took Bregman, who hit .312 with nine homers in 63 games this season. The infielder posted a .390 on-base percentage and a .534 slugging percentage while leading the Tigers with 22 doubles.

Colorado then nabbed Rodgers, who was in attendance at Studio 42 on Monday and brought 22 friends and family with him, mostly from Florida. His supporters erupted from the bleachers when commissioner Rob Manfred announced the Rockies' pick.

Rodgers made the decision to come to New York after consulting with Twins prospect Nick Gordon, who went fifth overall in last year's Draft and was in attendance for his selection.

"Nick Gordon told me it's a great experience," Rodgers said. "He told me it's something you don't want to miss out on. I was into staying home with my family and friends, then about a month away from the Draft, I changed my mind and wanted to enjoy the experience and experience something I'll never get to do again."

Rodgers was the first player to receive a Draft Day jersey from the new commissioner and said he was excited to potentially develop in Colorado's system in the shadow of Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

"It's going to mean the world to me, getting tips and stuff like that from an All-Star and just hearing from Tulo, I'm excited to meet him," Rodgers told MLB Network.

The Rockies, 24 picks later, snagged the player sitting next to Rodgers in the Studio 42 dugout -- right-hander Mike Nikorak -- with the 27th pick. The duo has shared a real diamond before, too, when both participated in the Under Armour All-America Game last summer.

"My third out actually on the mound, it was a ground ball to shortstop and he threw it across the diamond," Nikorak said. "If that's any indication of what it's going to be like, I think it's going to be a good next couple years." 

The Rangers took the first pitcher at No. 4, nabbing University of California right-hander Dillon Tate. The 21-year-old has hit 98 mph with his fastball and saw time in the U.S. collegiate national team's bullpen last summer.

The Astros got to pick again at No. 5 and took Florida high school outfielder Kyle Tucker, the brother of Houston left fielder Preston Tucker. The 18-year-old lefty-swinging outfielder had committed to the University of Florida before the Draft and was considered one of the best bats in the class.

After the Twins took Jay with the sixth pick, Boston followed by taking Arkansas outfielder Andrew Benintendi and the White Sox picked Fulmer. The Cubs nabbed University of Cincinnati outfielder Ian Happ ninth, and then the Phillies and Reds grabbed high school bats Cornelius Randolph (shortstop) and Tyler Stephenson (catcher) at 10 and 11 respectively.

The Marlins had the first major surprise of the night, selecting hulking Canadian first baseman Josh Naylor with the 12th pick. Naylor ranked 59th among MLB.com's Top 200 Draft Prospects. Naylor is now the highest-drafted Canadian position player ever taken, surpassing Brett Lawrie, and was one of two Canadian players taken in the first round -- right-hander Michael Soroka went 28th overall to the Braves.

New York outfielder Garrett Whitley became the second player in Studio 42 to get selected when the Rays picked him 13th overall. The 18-year-old center fielder told MiLB.com earlier on Monday that this time last year, neither he nor any Major League teams realized he could go in the first round of this year's Draft, but that changed after he emerged on the showcase circuit.

"It's happened so quick," Whitley said. "One year ago, I was trying out for the Area Code team and that was going to be my first time playing on the circuit and … now I'm here. It's been a huge transition, but it's been great and it's been a good ride."

With the 17th pick, the Indians selected left-hander Brady Aiken, who was 2014's first overall pick by Houston, but did not sign with the Astros. Reports indicated Houston found something awry in Aiken's physical and lowered their bonus offer to Aiken as a result. Aiken underwent Tommy John surgery in March and likely won't pitch until the 2016 season.

The Giants selected Phil Bickford with the 18th pick. The College of Southern Nevada right-hander was the 10th overall pick in the 2013 Draft by the Blue Jays, but did not sign for unspecified reasons. He pitched one year at Cal State Fullerton before transferring to Southern Nevada to become eligible for this year's Draft. Bickford made headlines by testing positive for marijuana shortly before the Draft.

The Royals selected right-hander Ashe Russell with the 21st pick, and later nabbed another Indiana right-hander in Nolan Watson. Watson's Lawrence North defeated Russell's Cathedral High School in the Indiana state tournament recently, ending Russell's season and freeing him up to attend the Draft.

Russell said Royals' Indiana-area scout Mike Farrell was one of his most enthusiastic followers.

"He was at almost every single outing except for I want to say one, which he went to see Nolan Watson," Russell said. "He's got a great relationship with my family. He said my family was one of the best. Loved my family to death. He spoke to me quite a bit actually. Told me if I'm there, he wants me."

The most notable player to fall from the first round was high school outfielder Daz Cameron, who went to Houston at 37th overall -- the first pick in the Lottery Round A. The Georgia native is the son of 17-year Major League veteran Mike Cameron and was rated sixth among MLB.com's Top 200 Draft Prospects. He reportedly fell in the Draft because of his bonus demands, which were reportedly $5 million.

The Astros had three picks in the first round in part because they received the second overall pick as compensation when they failed to sign Aiken in 2014.

Teams filled to Studio 42 with a number of notable representatives. Seattle sent 1987's No. 1 pick Ken Griffey Jr. and Baltimore sent 1985 No. 1 in B.J. Surhoff. Among other Major League alumni in attendance included Braves' soon-to-be Hall of Famer John Smoltz and established Hall of Famers Tommy Lasorda (Dodgers), Andre Dawson (Marlins), Tony Perez (Marlins) and Mike Schmidt (Phillies). 

Looking for information on 2015 Draft picks? Check back often for the latest updates, and go to MLB.com for the complete Draft Tracker.