2017 MLB Mock Draft, Version 5.2

player. 4. Pittsburgh has been hitting the college bat market fairly hard, so while getting Smith would be a definite plus for their goal of the college bat, seeing Haseley and Kendall both go off the board just ahead of them would certainly drive the Pirates a bit bonkers and force their hand a bit. There is plenty of traction that the Pirates could be very heavy into Kentucky 1B/OF Evan White here, but for this scenario, they’ll have the guy many view as the best overall hitter in the college class. Smith has some athleticism that could project to an outfield corner, but if he does end up at first base, he is a tremendous first baseman defensively.. 1B. University of Virginia. Pavin Smith. 12

13. player. 82. Baz really has come into play from about #2 on to this spot in doing this particular mock draft. The Marlins would be getting an elite arm in Baz, with a fastball that can reach the upper 90s with good movement along with four secondary pitches – and that doesn’t include that he’s turned his four-seam fastball in his hand to offer a two-seam fastball on top of the cutter, change, slider, and curve he already throws with above-average command for a high school arm. Many have compared Baz to 2016 Atlanta Braves draft selection <strong><a rel=. RHP. Concordia Lutheran HS (TX). Shane Baz

University of Florida. Alex Faedo. 14. player. 7. Faedo may not have the elite stuff of Bukauskas, but he has stuff that is just a hair below J.B.’s, and he has the more “natural” frame. On a loaded Florida rotation in 2016 that produced two first round selections and six selections in the first 10 rounds out of the pitching staff, Faedo was the guy that received the most notice from scouts, pitching ahead of top-10 selection A.J. Puk in the rotation. Faedo struggled early on in the spring, but he’s gotten hot as the spring has turned to summer. Faedo has a tremendous ability to manipulate his fastball and control his secondary stuff. The Royals would be able to move Faedo quickly as a future rotation member or see him plug in as a future bullpen ace as well.. RHP

The Astros continue to be linked with a group of high school arms, but it would not surprise whatsoever if the Astros made a move for a college bat like Hiura or Warmoth. In the mold of projection high school arms, they don’t come with much more projection than Rogers. He stands 6’6″ tall with long limbs and minimal build. He is one of the older members of this class, but he has had less usage and exposure than many of his classmates that are much younger. With a fastball that can reach mid-90s with ease and a wicked slider, Rogers has a profile that many see emulating that of <strong><a rel=. LHP. Carlsbad HS (NM). Trevor Rogers. 15. player. 135