2017 MLB Mock Draft, Version 3.1
With the draft just over one month away, a third look at the upcoming MLB draft is in order.
Before we get started with this MLB mock draft, a few things:
– These are the selections of the writer, based on discussions with scouts and team officials in the game. However, they are not to be viewed as a prediction, but an idea of the direction a team could go in the given scenario presented.
– Players moving up or down is not necessarily an indication of a player’s stock rising or falling. The player is assigned based on a fit, and sometimes that can mean a player moves 10 or more spots in the draft.
1. Minnesota Twins
player. 2. While he wasn’t a big prospect out of high school, going undrafted, Vanderbilt knew what they had, featuring Wright out of the bullpen as a freshman before moving him into the rotation as a sophomore. Projected as the top college arm coming into the season after an elite summer with USA Baseball, Wright struggled initially as he seemed eager to show more velocity to scouts early in the season and struggled to control his electric stuff. Wright is at his best when he’s working 92-95 and touching 96-97, using his moving fastball to set up his top-shelf off speed stuff, including a slider and curve that are both plus-level pitches. Wright rarely uses his change, but it’s considered a plus level pitch as well when he has used it, showing good feel on the pitch and excellent movement. Wright’s frame and projectable stuff will allow the Twins to feel comfortable making him the first overall selection.. RHP. Vanderbilt University. Kyle Wright . 1
2. Cincinnati Reds
This would be the ideal situation for the Reds as McKay is definitely the guy they covet. There is mixed opinion on whether scouts prefer McKay as a hitter or pitcher more, likewise whether the Reds would prefer McKay as a hitter or pitcher. McKay on the mound works around 90 MPH max velocity, but he does have excellent feel for his pitches and has the ability to manipulate pitches well, as evidenced by how quickly he picked up a cutter in season this year. At the plate, he’s flashed big power (4 home runs against Eastern Kentucky in one game this year) and also has very good bat control that would project along the lines of a solid average, 20-25 home run power type with a bit more power projection possible once he focused solely on hitting. Whether he’ll be forced by the Reds to hit or pitch or allowed to continue doing both would be a very intriguing thing to follow.. 1B/LHP. University of Louisville. Brendan McKay . 2. player. 61
3. San Diego Padres
3. player. 127. The Padres would do back flips to have Greene fall to them. He’s a local prospect, and while many have him ranked as the top prospect in the draft, Greene is a great off-field prospect as well, with exceptional academics and volunteer efforts to his resume. Greene has legit plus to plus-plus power as a hitter along with a fastball that can reach triple digits. Concerns about the true quality of his off speed offerings have led to some concerns about taking Greene #1 overall, though many believe he could be a legit option at #1 if he was being selected as a shortstop as well, though his future defensive home would most likely be third base or an outfield corner.. RHP/SS. Notre Dame HS (CA). Hunter Greene
4. Tampa Bay Rays
21. The Rays would really like to get one of the three above. Given those three off the board, the team would have an interesting decision that there are split reports on who they truly favor most. Some have said that the team is split on which North Carolina prep they prefer between Beck or Gore. Beck has had plenty of Rays presence at his spring games, and he would fit the teams’ recent focus on extreme ceiling. Beck shredded his knee during his junior season and missed the showcase circuit, but used the time rehabbing to strengthen his frame along with natural strength growth, taking him from a speed-focused lanky center fielder to a legit 5-tool threat. Beck has some concern about his hit tool, but his plus arm, plus speed, and plus bat speed could lead to a very impactful profile that could stick in center field.. OF. North Davidson HS (NC). Austin Beck . 4. player
5. Atlanta Braves
player. 17. Adell’s been a guy known by scouts for some time, but that has been a blessing and a curse for Adell. In Adell’s regular season play in Kentucky and his first go-round on the summer showcase circuit as one of the few players between his sophomore and junior seasons invited to summer All-Star events, Adell had shown near-elite strike zone judgement. This past summer, he struck out more than had been seen previously, and suddenly reports were out that Adell had “swing and miss issues.” Adell this season has over 20 home runs while not yet striking out double-digit times on the season. Adell would be an elite raw prospect off the mound, able to touch 95-97 (depending on your report) with a good breaking pitch, but his excellent power and speed projection will keep his future as an outfielder. The Braves will be likely deciding among a group of about a dozen players, including Beck, Adell, Gore, Lewis, Baz, and Carlson for their pick.. OF. Ballard HS (KY). Jordon Adell . 5