2017 MLB Mock Draft, Version 5.2

Many love to talk about selecting a projectable athlete in a baseball draft, and as that, there’s none that have received more distinction this high school season than Thompson. An elite high school quarterback in football, he decommitted from Auburn in the fall to consider options to play both football and baseball at multiple D-1 schools. He chose to play just baseball at Alabama in the end, but that was after his draft stock rose to such a point where it was clear that he would be drafted in the first round. This spring he’s simply established himself as one of the guys who could jump out early, along the lines of <strong><a rel=. OF. McGill-Thoolen Catholic HS (AL). Bubba Thompson. 16. player. 43

player. 62. The rare collegiate first sacker that can handle more elite defensive positions like center field, White has a hit tool ahead of his power tool, but his hit tool is so elite that he’s working his way up boards in a hurry and could end up in the 10-15 range the way things are going. White does have a body that could add in some more muscle to truly access his power.. 1B. University of Kentucky. Evan White. 17

63. While some discount Carlson due to his lack of competition in the Minnesota high school ranks and lack of reps this spring, that’s also a benefit to him in that his arm does not have anywhere near the wear of many of the other arms in the class, yet he’s shown equal or better overall stuff. Carlson has been up to 97 this spring with his fastball, and many consider his change his best pitch overall. A curve that can flash plus and a projectable frame that would be a two-way player if he holds to his collegiate commitment to Florida should allow the athletic Carlson to develop into an excellent starter.. RHP. Burnsville HS (MN). Sam Carlson. 18. player

19. player. 31. While the Giants may be more interested in a college bat, in this scenario, the guys they truly want in the first are all off the board, as are the high school bats that would also be of Giants interest. In that case, it’d be a matter of choosing between the likely faster-moving Canning and the possible higher upside Peterson. Either would be a solid selection, but Canning’s ability to likely move quickly to the majors as a #3 starter and stay there for quite some time would attract Canning heavily.. RHP. University of California at Los Angeles. Griffin Canning

University of Oregon. David Peterson. 20. player. 3. The Mets have built their current run based on the strength of pitching, and adding Peterson to their system would not be an impact on their prospect lists for long. Peterson is a guy who should be a quick mover to the major leagues with four quality pitches at this time, even if none are a double-plus pitch. Peterson has the rare ability to have excellent location with a 6’6″, 240-ish pound frame, with a repeatable delivery that produces heavy feel to all four pitches. He could be a guy to make a major league debut as quickly as 2018, and the Mets could use his left-handed presence in their rotation.. LHP