2017 MLB Mock Draft, Version 4.1

Etowah HS (GA). Drew Waters. 31. player. 21. Usually, the Georgia high school hitting crop dots the first round, but this season is a thinner group than normal. Waters, however, is not simply known due to being the best of a weak class as he has legit skills in his own right. Waters is a solid switch-hitter with a good approach and power from both sides of the plate and projection on the power to play even further as he ages, having some scouts grade him as a future 65-70 power guy, a rarity amoung switch hitters. What is even more rare is the plus level speed and solid defensive ability that could pass in center but should be very good in a corner. He’d be a coup for the Rays in this spot.. OF

player. 61. Ramos may be one of the most high variable players in this season’s draft among evaluators. Ramos has elite tools, specifically plus-plus run and and arm tools, along with raw double-plus power. However, Ramos has shown very wide variance in the performance in his hit tool, and that will be the driving force in the player he can become. One of the younger players in the draft, typical maturity issues of pitch/zone recognition and proper routes in the outfield are still an issue that Ramos has, but his ceiling could be as high as any player in the draft. The Reds enjoyed pairing a high-end college bat with a toolsy outfielder last season when they picked Nick Senzel and Taylor Trammell, and combining McKay and Ramos would be a similar combination.. OF. Leadership Christian Academy HS (PR). Heliot Ramos. 32

Evan White. 33. player. 96. White is a fast-rising player that has been able to exhibit to teams that he’s more than just a first baseman this spring, and that has allowed him to move up draft boards. White has the ideal right field profile with a plus arm and excellent athleticism. The switch-hitter has shown very well with his bat his entire collegiate career, though some do believe he will be a hit-over-power type of guy. One scout told me that the offensive profile reminds him strongly of peak Pablo Sandoval. Sandoval was never considered a 70 defender at any position like White is considered presently at first with potential as a plus right fielder as well.. 1B. University of Kentucky

76. After grabbing the more “safe” pick with their first selection, Little would qualify as going for the more upside pick with the Brewers second selection. Coming out of high school, he was a well known player from Pennsylvania, but he struggled with command and ended up at North Carolina instead of being drafted. He transferred after his freshman year to JuCo and took monstrous strides forward with his mid-90s fastball and tight curve that are a wicked arsenal on their own, let alone when he can get the feel of his change in a start. He may take a bit longer than a typical JuCo guy, but the upside is significant in Little’s left arm.. LHP. State Junior College of Florida. Brendon Little. 34. player

player. 2. While Little and Pearson have been the talk of the JuCo class this season, Tillo has been getting a ton of helium the closer to the MLB draft that the year gets. Tillo was a Twins selection out of high school in 2015, but he chose to go to college at Kentucky instead of signing. Many thought his transferring to JuCo was to allow Tillo to pursue his other love, basketball. The 6’5″ lefty was an elite basketball player in high school, winning the Iowa Mr. Basketball award. He chose Kentucky to be in the SEC, but after a coaching change, he transferred near home to JuCo, and the results have been tremendous as he’s been able to focus on his body and his craft, throwing into upper mid-90s with his fastball and spinning a hard slider with even more velocity. His change has come along nicely as well. While this would seemingly give the Twins two pitchers early, it would be two very high upside guys, including one local guy, a very productive first round.. LHP. Iowa Western Junior College. Daniel Tillo. 35

82. Looking more like a linebacker getting off the team bus than an outfielder, it’s no surprise that the calling card for Lutz is big power from the right side. He’s got a typical right field profile with a plus arm and present above-average power that projects as possible double-plus. Lutz showed well in the showcase circuit, but an adjustment between the summer circuits and the fall ball events allowed scouts to see Lutz spraying the ball to all fields with his elite bat speed. Lutz has advanced pitch recognition for a high school player as well, allowing him to wait on his pitch to drive as well. With a system in need of any impact talent it can get, Lutz would be a big bat the Marlins could really promote to their fan base.. OF. Martin HS (TX). Tristen Lutz. 36. player