2017 MLB Mock Draft, Version 6.1
With the draft less than a week away, a sixth look at the upcoming MLB draft is in order.
Before we get started with this MLB mock draft, a few things:
– Next week on Monday is the draft. We will have a live thread during the draft with “instant” analysis on picks from Call to the Pen’s Benjamin Chase as the draft works through the first night.
-This will be the last mock draft looking at “how the teams will act”. On Sunday will be the last mock before the draft, one where Ben will look at each team as if he were the GM and make each selection in that role.
1. Minnesota Twins
2. Impressively, Wright could end up being a guy who did not get selected at all coming out of high school to being the top overall selection in the draft coming out of college. Wright has been a tremendous pitcher for Vanderbilt from the time he stepped on campus, and he’s developed into the top collegiate starter in the nation. Wright is a work out warrior that can impress with his power lifting abilities, and he attempted to “air it out” a bit too much this spring initially, leading to his stuff flattening out. Instead, he found as he was willing to pitch within himself, he could maintain 97 at the top end of his fastball velocity deep into games along with his unique ability to manipulate each of his pitches in multiple ways, really giving his three-pitch off-speed mix dozens of true looks that batters will see over the course of a game. Wright has an ability to profile as a top of the rotation starter who may not be among MLB’s aces, but certainly could be a top starter for any team in the game, akin to peak <strong><a rel=. RHP. Vanderbilt University. Kyle Wright. 1. player
2. Cincinnati Reds
61. After a struggle to end his season on the mound that saw him dip in velocity, McKay had a tremendous showing in the regionals this past weekend for Louisville. Whether off the mound as a mid-rotation type with a legit bat that could be a <strong><a rel=. 1B/LHP. University of Louisville. Brendan McKay. 2. player
3. San Diego Padres
Hunter Greene. 3. player. 127. The Padres would absolutely love Greene and probably would sacrifice going even above #3 slot just to get him they like the player so much. He is frequently the top-rated prospect on draft boards, and his talent level has brought out comparisons to some of the all time great high school pitchers in the draft. Greene will almost certainly stick with pitching, though he is a legit first round talent as a shortstop as well.. RHP/SS. Notre Dame HS (CA)
4. Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay is in the spot where they are taking the guy they like best, and that has been a number of guys this spring, depending on who you trust. From the word out of Rays camp, they’d prefer a college arm if they go pitching, but would go either college or high school after a bat. In Lewis, the Rays would be getting arguably the most gifted player in the draft with a chance to have five above-average tools playing up the middle.. IF/OF. JSerra Catholic HS (CA). Royce Lewis. 4. player. 21
5. Atlanta Braves
player. 17. The Braves have been stockpiling pitching, and many see this draft’s depth in hitting as a chance to grab someone, and the Braves are definitely in on a number of players, likely doing some financial discussions to see where guys sit as far as their signing number. Gore could go as high as #2 with one of the most athletic frames in the entire draft. The Gatorade national play of the year, and I knew that they werrying out!. LHP. Whiteville HS (NC). MacKenzie Gore. 5