The Los Angeles Dodgers clearly prioritized collegiate players in the 2019 MLB Draft, as they went that route for 20 of their first 21 selections. The lone exception was Jimmy Lewis, a prep right-hander who was taken 78th overall with a compensation pick.
The Dodgers received the selection as a result of Yasmani Grandal rejecting their qualifying offer and signing a one-year, $18.25 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers during the offseason.
The risk to draft Lewis required the Dodgers to reportedly go above slot to sign him. They agreed to deals with most of their draft picks, particularly those from the early rounds, prior to the July 12 deadline.
That can’t be said for the New York Mets, who failed to sign 11th-round selection Jordan Martinson, who has since joined the Dodgers, according to Jacob Resnick:
The #Mets did not come to an agreement with their 11th-round draft pick Jordan Martinson, a source confirms.
Martinson was declared a free agent and has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) July 17, 2019
Martinson finished his four-year career at Dallas Baptist University the all-time leader in strikeouts (276) in during the school’s Division I era, which dates back to 2004. He also set the single-season record for strikeouts with 115 last season along with going 8-4 with a team-best 2.61 ERA.
Martinson earned Second Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors in 2019 and was also named to the MVC’s All-Defensive Team.
The southpaw has a fastball that tops out at 91 mph, and it’s complemented by a slider and changeup. This year marked the first time he was selected in the MLB Draft.
Martinson’s older brother was taken by the Washington Nationals in the fifth round of the 2010 MLB Draft.
The Dodgers have not yet confirmed the signing of Martinson. He joins a class that included 41 selections in the 2019 MLB Draft — 34 of which were from the collegiate ranks. The Dodgers’ picks comprised of 20 pitchers (12 right-handers, eight left-handers), 10 outfielders, nine infielders and two catchers.
Of the 21 drafted position players, 14 are right-handed hitters, five are left-handed hitters and two are switch-hitters.
