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New York Red Bulls: Reviewing and Grading the 2018 MLS Draft Class

By Liam Pettit

DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 25: Duke's Brian White reacts after scoring a goal during the Duke Blue Devils game versus the Fordham Rams on November 25, 2017 at Koskinen Stadium in Durham, NC in an NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament Third Round game. Fordham advanced 8-7 on penalty kicks after the game ended in a 2-2 tie after overtime. (Photo by Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 25: Duke's Brian White reacts after scoring a goal during the Duke Blue Devils game versus the Fordham Rams on November 25, 2017 at Koskinen Stadium in Durham, NC in an NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament Third Round game. Fordham advanced 8-7 on penalty kicks after the game ended in a 2-2 tie after overtime. (Photo by Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The New York Red Bulls were in need of depth in several positions ahead of the 2018 MLS Draft, but could not stay away from drafting three forwards.

Here is a rundown of each of the MLS draft selections by the New York Red Bulls. Their background and potential impact with the club moving foward.

Brian White, F, Duke

Brian White
BROWNS SUMMIT, NC – SEPTEMBER 16: Duke’s Brian White during the North Carolina Tar Heels game versus the Duke Blue Devils on September 16, 2017, at Macpherson Stadium in Browns Summit, NC. (Photo by Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

With the 16th overall pick, the New York Red Bulls went with the obvious and picked forward Brian White out of Duke University. The New Jersey native thrived with The New York Red Bulls U-23 PDL side last summer where he bagged 17 goals earning him PDL MVP.

Brian White had a noteworthy career in Durham N.C and topped it off in his senior season with 10 goals. The Red Bulls staff loved what they saw over the summer and pulled the trigger early on the lefty.

Niko De Vera, D, Akron

Sticking to the theme of left-footed players, The Red Bulls drafted the diminutive left back out of Akron named Niko De Vera with the 31st pick. On the offensive side of the ball, Niko De Vera has speed, dribbling and crossing ability.

De Vera is a well-known stout 1v1 defender. Kemar Lawrence is looking likely to stay put in New York for the moment, but the addition of De Vera gives Jesse Marsch’s side added security at left back should he make the team.

Tom Barlow, F, Wisconsin

Tom Barlow
COLLEGE PARK, MD – NOVEMBER 05: Maryland Donovan Pines (2) pushes into Wisconsin Tom Barlow (11) during the Big10 championship quarterfinal game between the University of Maryland and the University of Wisconsin on November 05, 2017, at Ludwig Field, in College Park, MD. Wisconsin defeated Maryland 2-1.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

At pick 39, the Red Bulls drafted forward Tom Barlow from Wisconsin University. Barlow had a great tenure with the Badgers where in four seasons he had 23 goals and 15 assists. Last season he scored 10 goals and in his whole career managed to bag 10 game winners showing he has a knack for the big moment.

Jared Stroud, MF, Colgate

The Red Bulls drafted Jared Stroud who is originally from New Jersey but played his college ball at Colgate University. Stroud is a creative midfielder with stats to back it up. Stroud set a program record for assists in a season in 2017 and also set the All-Time program record for assists with 30.

Jose Aguinaga, F, Rider

Jose Aguinaga
HAMDEN, CT – OCTOBER 29: Rider Broncs Forward Jose Aguinaga (19) celebrates after scoring a goalas the Rider Broncs take on the Quinnipiac Bobcats on October 29, 2016, at Quinnipiac Soccer Field in Hamden, CT. (Photo by Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

With their last pick at 83rd in the draft, the Red Bulls selected Rider forward Jose Aguinaga. Just like Stroud, Aguinaga just set Rider’s program assist record with 32 in 76 appearances. The forward played with one of the newest Red Bull signee’s, Florian Valot, at Rider University. Aguinaga’s Spanish nationality hurts his chances at a spot on the roster, due to a lack of international spots at the moment.

Overall Analysis

All of New York’s draft picks will have to fight in preseason to earn a spot as they may all end up playing for Red Bulls 2. White was drafted high and can play midfield, and there is currently only two striker options at the club. But, he will have to compete with Barlow and Aguinaga in camp who are both likely to end up with the organization’s USL side. Stroud will also likely end up with Red Bulls 2 where he will have to showcase his playmaking ability. On the other hand, De Vera is the overall front-runner from this draft class to make the team considering Red Bulls depth issues in defense.

Next: Once again, New England Revolution salvages SuperDraft with late round steal

Draft Grade: B

While Brian White and Niko De Vera may turn out to be fruitful draft picks, The Red Bulls did not draft to enhance their first team entirely. It’s likely these picks were a way to boost their Red Bulls 2 roster which currently only has five players. Despite the fact MLS teams valued this draft more than in recent years with draft day trades, the MLS Draft is becoming obsolete.

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