Three of MLB draft’s first-day picks are UCLA signees

Before Thursday, this year’s Major League Baseball draft lacked anything resembling a consensus at the top of the class.

For a time, pitcher A.J. Puk was many pundits’ pick to go first. Then it was pitcher Jason Groome. For some, it was outfielder Kyle Lewis.

In the end, the first pick was a high school center fielder from Southern California. The Philadelphia Phillies decided on Mickey Moniak, who shot up draft boards after an impressive career at La Costa Canyon.

Moniak, who committed to UCLA as a high school freshman, was one of three Bruins signees taken Thursday, when the first 77 selections were announced. West Hills Chaminade High outfielder Blake Rutherford was taken No. 18 by the New York Yankees. And right-hander Kevin Gowdy of Santa Barbara High was taken by the Phillies to lead off the second round, at No. 42 overall.

Damien High left-hander Nick Lodolo was taken 41st overall, in the first compensation round, by the Pittsburgh Pirates. And right-hander A.J. Puckett of Pepperdine was selected 67th overall by the Kansas City Royals. Earlier this year, Puckett went 45 2/3 innings without giving up a run, and 57 1/3 without an earned run. It was the third-longest streak in college history.

Moniak’s pick value is slightly more than $9 million. That means the Phillies can spend that much on Moniak’s bonus without penalty, though they are expected to negotiate for less. Last year’s top pick, Dansby Swanson, signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks for about $2 million less than his pick’s value.

“It’s indescribable,” Moniak said on the MLB Network broadcast of the event. “To be the No. 1 pick, it’s insane.

He added: “I couldn’t be more excited right now.”

The 18-year-old batted .476 with seven home runs and 40 runs scored at La Costa Canyon last season.

Rutherford, 19, batted .577 with 45 hits, including 13 doubles and four home runs, for Chaminade this season. The Yankees’ bonus assignment for his pick is $2.4 million.

Gowdy, 18, throws a fastball that tops out at 94 mph, with a strong slider and smooth mechanics. The Phillies have an assignment of about $1.5 million for his pick.

None are likely to play for UCLA. Last season, only six players in the top 10 rounds failed to sign a contract, meaning less than 2% of draftees opted for college.

Lodolo, a 6-foot-6 18-year-old who signed with Texas Christian, has a bonus allotment of roughly $1.58 million for his pick. The assignment for Puckett’s pick is $963,700.

It could be some time before each sees major league action. Roughly three in four first-round picks, and half of all second-round picks, reach the major leagues, according to Baseball America. But high school players typically require years of seasoning in the minor leagues.

zach.helfand@latimes.com

Twitter: @zhelfand