MLB Draft: Mock Draft, Version 1.0

Vasil was a guy to watch this spring as he had an impressive pitch mix during the Tournament of Stars with USA Baseball. He has a definite plus fastball that can reach 97 with decent movement. He has above-average breaking pitches, but he’s still working to repeat his delivery, something many thought could be that launching step for a Northeast pitcher to jump into the top half of the first round. Instead, Vasil looked good in his first start, but left due to injury, and there are questions about the health of his elbow. However, there’s not a team in the league more suited to taking an “elbow injury” guy than the Nationals, so this could be Vasil’s floor, unless a surgery happens.. RHP. Boston College HS (MA). Mike Vasil. 27. player. 90

135. Groshans should be in a competition with his high school teammate Adam Kloffenstein to be the first player from his high school to be selected ahead of the 20th round. He’s the type of guy that really will grow on teams the more they see him as he doesn’t explode off of film when you watch him, without any standout tool that jumps off the page, but he’s got average to above-average present tools across the board with raw plus tools in his fielding and power. He’s played short in high school, but his physical body and range works at third, so once he gets reps there, he should jump forward in his defensive ability and could be a very valuable late first round selection.. 3B. Magnolia HS (TX). Jordan Groshans. 28. player

The Dodgers have been known for grabbing a guy who is falling too far with big-time upside. In this case, they grab the guy who literally can touch the ceiling. Hjelle has impressed all season at Kentucky, with the elite downward plane from his 6’11” frame allowing his low-90s fastball with a loose, easy delivery that has generated more velocity and could have more in the tank with pro coaching. Hjelle possesses a plus curve and another pair of above-average offspeed pitches and he controls everything very well, giving him a very high floor with some definite ability to project as a #2 starter that moves quickly.. RHP. Kentucky. Sean Hjelle. 30. player. 71

31. player. 21. One of two Kentucky players that could factor into the first round, Pompey has put together an impressive 2018 campaign to really push his stock up this spring. Pompey has excellent offensive skills across the board, with a plus contact tool, above-average power, and plus raw speed. He doesn’t access his speed well stealing bases, but does use it well in running bases. He’s definitely a left fieldier offensively, but he has tremendous control of the strike zone at the plate, which allows everything to play up.. OF. Kentucky. Tristan Pompey

C. Brookwood HS (GA). Will Banfield. 32. player. 21. If all teams were worried about with a catcher was behind the plate, Banfield would be a selection in the first 5-10 picks. His defensive abilities are unmatched in the high school class and more refined than many of the college backstops in the MLB draft. It’s offensively where teams are still not sold with Banfield. He has raw above-average power, but the ability to get to that power is in significant question, and he won’t bring anything running.

The idea of Hankins lasting until the 33rd pick in the 2018 MLB draft would have seemed ludicrous just 3 months ago, but a rough spring and an injury have put some questions on Hankins – enough to drop him out of the top 10 for sure. After that point, it could require a fairly significant bonus to get Hankins away from his Vanderbilt commitment, which could see Hankins slide to the back of the first round and especially to the comp round, where the Rays or Royals would both gladly pay what was needed to keep him out of school. His healthy repertoire features a double-plus fastball, three above-average offspeed pitches, and plus control. The Royals would love to walk away from the first day with a Hankins/Weathers right/left combo.. RHP. Forsyth Central HS (GA). Ethan Hankins. 33. player. 7

7. One of the most toolsy collegiate players, and also one of the youngest college players in the 2018 MLB draft, Hannah would be the type of upside selection the Royals could grab that would likely sign for less than slot but also would offer a very, very high ceiling. Hannah has an incredibly quick bat that projects to plus raw power, already has plus speed, and he is a plus fielder in spite of his below-average arm. Hannah’s size (5’9″, 185 pounds) will scare some teams off who may believe the power won’t fully develop in that frame, but watch him play, and there is plenty to like, even if he only develops to a guy who pounds the gaps and hits 10-15 home runs.. OF. Dallas Baptist. Jameson Hannah. 34. player