MLB Draft: Mock Draft, version 2.0
It is time to start preparing for the MLB draft! We kick off our mock drafts with our second go-round today!
The MLB Draft will be held June 4th through the 6th. It can be viewed on MLB Network and online on MLB.com. However, pre-draft, one of the most exciting parts of preparing for the draft is putting together mock drafts of just how things could break down.
Our mock MLB draft work is done by Benjamin Chase, one of our editors here with Call To The Pen. Ben works with contacts around the game to attempt to find out if there are teams and players getting connected together or players rising that could surprise us by going earlier or later than selected. We will have a new mock MLB draft each Monday all the way until June 4, with each mock being through the CBA selections between the first and second round until that last mock, when Ben drinks some extra coffee and goes all the way through the second batch of competitive balance picks between rounds 2 and 3 on draft day.
We’ll start right at the top:
1. Detroit Tigers
This one will probably stick now until the draft, with not a lot of drama unless there’s an injury. Mize works with four potential plus pitches along with control that is arguably double-plus. He’s got frontline starter written all over him, provided health, of course.. RHP. Auburn. Casey Mize. 1. player. 63
2. San Francisco Giants
SS/2B. Oregon State. Nick Madrigal. 2. player. 31. Madrigal works in a Giants system needing depth up the middle, and he should be a guy who could move very quickly. The Giants are in a position where there’s not a definite #2, so it’s quite likely that they’ll play a bit of a money game here, and it would not surprise if Madrigal ends up being the best bet for the money at this slot.
3. Philadelphia Phillies
6. Like most teams this year, the Phillies have been tracking college hitting pretty strong, but at this spot to have the top-producing college bat fall in their lap would seem to be a pretty easy choice.. 3B. Wichita State. Alec Bohm. 3. player
4. Chicago White Sox
5. Cincinnati Reds
player. 61. Now that the high school season in many warm places is beginning to wind down, the discussion has begun to turn to numbers, and among the top arms, only Liberatore has held his status from last summer to this point, and some scouts feel he could be a tough sign due to that, which could drop him farther in the top 10 than some may think based just on his pure talent. The Reds would be foolish to let him pass by this point, however.. LHP. Mountain Ridge HS (AZ). Matthew Liberatore. 5
Next: #6-15
6. New York Mets
C. Georgia Tech. Joey Bart. 6. player. 3. The draft has really put together a few perfect matches along the draft board that seem like if a player was on the board, he’d be the ideal selection at that spot. Bart just screams Mets as a guy who could move quickly through their system in a position where the Mets are very thin right now at all levels, majors and minors.
7. San Diego Padres
Jarred Kelenic. 7. player. 127. Kelenic is a guy that has some fairly high variance due to his position as arguably the top position player in the high school class. He could come off the board as high as #2 or fall outside of the top 10, and he’s one of the few players who has plenty of spring ball left to be played, so he could make a big impression or a big flop between now and June 4.. OF. Waukesha West HS (WI)
8. Atlanta Braves
RHP. North Oconee HS (GA). Kumar Rocker. 8. player. 17. The Braves are loaded in pitching. This is very clear. There is an adage about excess in pitching, however, and this would be a great pick of a local guy for the Braves in Rocker, who was one of the most explosive guys in summer, but inconsistency toward the end of summer pushed him down the board a bit. His spring has shown he’s all his summer showed him to be, and his body is definitely physically ready.
9. Oakland Athletics
9. player. 96. The Athletics seem to be going opposite this year, from the few that can gauge where their mindset may be. They seem to be heavy on college pitching or high school hitting. With Kelenic off the board, there really isn’t a high school hitter in this spot that makes sense, giving the A’s their pick of the college arms. Rolison is a guy that could certainly come off earlier than where he’s ranked due to an excellent pro body that many organizations will think they can work with.. LHP. Mississippi. Ryan Rolison
10. Pittsburgh Pirates
LHP. South Florida. Shane McClanahan. 10. player. 4. McClanahan opened the spring with some of the most dominant performances that have been seen in this college season still to date, but struggles with his control in late-March/early-April dropped him from discussion at #1 overall. He’s righted the ship and could be a guy that fits well into what is really a righty-heavy Pirates pitching system.
11. Baltimore Orioles
11. Stewart has shown tremendously well and certainly sits in the top 5-10 high school arms in the draft, but he’s perhaps the guy that teams see as most “stable”, which can be a blessing and a curse entering the draft for those teams looking for upside arms. Stewart would be a good fit in a pitching-starved Orioles system.. RHP. Eau Gallie HS (FL). Carter Stewart. 11. player
12. Toronto Blue Jays
13. Miami Marlins
13. player. 82. The way this has fallen, the Marlins have their pick of two local college arms that have performed very well this spring for the Gators. They very feasibly may go for the lower risk and higher floor of Kowar with a possible lower price tag as well.. RHP. Florida. Jackson Kowar
14. Seattle Mariners
62. An early season candidate to go #1 overall, Singer’s had issues with inconsistency in his location and in his stuff this spring that have worked themselves out with a month or more of tremendous performances as the SEC season comes to a close. He could be a signing bonus concern, though, which could lead to him falling even farther than this, though it would not surprise to see the Mariners roll the dice here.. RHP. Florida. Brady Singer. 14. player
15. Texas Rangers
OF. Plant HS (FL). Connor Scott. 15. player. 95. The Rangers love their upside plays, and there are few with the upside of Scott, who has explosive speed and plus defense currently, but he also has the type of physicality that draws plenty of comparisons to the Astros <strong><a rel=
Next: #16-25
16. Tampa Bay Rays
A nearly certain top-5 pick coming into the spring, Hankins injured his shoulder, and if there’s any injury that worries teams on a high school arm, it’s the shoulder. Even though he’s come back with good control, he’s not flashed the same top-end stuff, leading to concerns about the shoulder’s health in both the short and long term. The Rays could sign him away from Vanderbilt with multiple early picks by selecting him here.. RHP. Forsyth Central HS (GA). Ethan Hankins. 16. player. 21
17. Los Angeles Angels
17. player. 102. Turang was seen as the top position prospect in the high school class coming into the summer, and he really did not do anything to hurt his stock, but it’s a matter of not really doing anything to help it either that allowed Turang to fall a bit, though his price tag could still be one that prohibits a few teams from jumping in. Turang is a solid up-the-middle defender with plus contact and plus speed ability that should be able to move fairly quick with mature feel for the game.. SS. Santiago HS (CA). Brice Turang
18. Kansas City Royals
player. 7. One of the biggest upside players in the high school class, Denaburg was viewed as a legit prospect both as a hitter and a pitcher, but he moved from behind the plate to the outfield as a senior to seemingly focus on his pitching, and he’s seen his stuff all tick up before dealing with some injury bug issues. He’s also got a dual-sport commitment as a kicker/punter to Florida, so teams will need to invest in him to sign him, making him a perfect target for the Royals here with their extra picks.. RHP/C. Merritt Island HS (FL). Mason Denaburg. 18
19. St. Louis Cardinals
32. India’s balanced skillset that flashes all kinds of above-average tools without one single plus one just screams Cardinals. If he can get to them in the draft, they would certainly have interest as a guy who would likely take big steps in their system.. 3B. Florida. Jonathan India. 19. player
20. Minnesota Twins
Nolan Gorman. 20. player. 2. Gorman has a big window where he could fall in this draft. Depending on how teams feel they could work with his size at third base, he could be as high as a top 10 pick all the way to the back end of the first round. The Twins have a bit of recent experience with a big third baseman, and Gorman’s big lefty power would fit nicely into their lineup.. 3B. Sandra Day O'Connor HS (AZ)
21. Milwaukee Brewers
76. One of the strongest performers in the high school class this spring, Rodriguez has cleaned up his frame and seen his stuff and stock tick up significantly this spring such that he could end up going much higher in the draft as his fastball has bumped into the upper-90s this spring after sitting mid-90s in the summer.. RHP. Central Heights HS (TX). Grayson Rodriguez. 21. player
22. Colorado Rockies
player. 108. Weathers has a commitment to Vanderbilt that could make him a tough signee, otherwise, he could go as early as 5-10 picks sooner than this. He has a well-balanced mix of pitches from the left side that has shown to be an effective mix in the Colorado air.. LHP. Loretto HS (TN). Ryan Weathers. 22
23. New York Yankees
player. 43. A cold-weather Northeast guy, many thought Vasil would leap up boards this spring, but an early injury has tempered that, though the talent is still there, and certainly the Yankees would be very interested in getting his live arm into their system.. RHP. Boston College HS (MA). Mike Vasil. 23
24. Chicago Cubs
Logan Gilbert. 24. player. 9. The school that has produced ace pitchers <strong><a rel=. RHP. Stetson
25. Arizona Diamondbacks
25. player. 8. A draft-eligible sophomore last year, Beck drew plenty of interest from teams early in his season before a back injury ended his season early. Beck’s repertoire is consistent and well-balanced with a plus fastball and change along with an above-average curve. Some teams are still wary of his back issues, but at this point in the draft, he’s more than worth the gamble.. RHP. Stanford. Tristan Beck
Next: #26-35
26. Boston Red Sox
27. Washington Nationals
player. 90. Hailing from the same high school as <strong><a rel=. SS. Montverde Academy (FL). Nander De Sedas. 27
28. Houston Astros
Missouri State. Jeremy Eierman. 28. player. 135. The Astros have had plenty of success going after strong college hitters that simply needed to polish up a part or two in their game, and that’s Eierman for certain. With the arm to fit in a number of defensive spots and a power/speed combination that could play up in a super utility role at the very least, Eierman could be a fast-mover that is able to move quick into a major league roster.. SS
29. Cleveland Indians
30. Los Angeles Dodgers
71. Groshans could join teammate Adam Kloffenstein as first day selections. The Dodgers would be looking for premium value from their pick, and Groshans would definitely be that guy in this spot, with a body that projects to fill out for plus power and good hands at short that should move well to third.. 3B. Magnolia HS (TX). Jordan Groshans. 30. player
Compensatory selections, first round
31. Tampa Bay Rays
player. 21. Originally committed to Oklahoma State, Riley transferred to Logan and has seen his stock shoot up significantly. While he’s a definite 2nd/3rd round talent, this would be an upside signability pick by the Rays here in order to fit in McLain and Hankins.. RHP. Logan Junior College. Trey Riley. 31
32. Tampa Bay Rays
21. Throughout the spring, McLain has been creating buzz with his spring as all he’s done is hit. McLain is not a big guy, but he can handle short comfortably and has shown an ability to barrel balls consistently this spring to pair with plus speed. Some have compared his profile to that of Indians second baseman <strong><a rel=. SS/2B. Arnold O. Beckman HS (CA). Matt McLain. 32. player
33. Kansas City Royals
7. With experience around a big league club (his father is the White Sox strength and conditioning director), Thomas has comfort in the draft process not typically seen in high school players. His father’s profession has also led to him having one of the more impressive physiques of the draft as well. He’ll be limited to left field due to his arm, but he could be an elite left fielder with plus speed and great instincts along with a lightning-quick stroke that should add more power as he matures.. OF. Mount Carmel HS (IL). Alek Thomas. 33. player
34. Kansas City Royals
player. 7. After grabbing a pair of high-upside high school picks, the Royals would need to dip into the college ranks to balance their money, and they’d be able to stay near home with Jenista, whose balance of tools is arguably the best among college hitters this season.. OF/1B. Wichita State. Greyson Jenista. 34
35. Cleveland Indians
Next: #36-43
Competitive Balance Selections, Round A
36. Pittsburgh Pirates
C. Cartersville HS (GA). Anthony Seigler. 36. player. 4. Incredibly, you’ll find Seigler listed with B/B on his hit/throw card as he hits and throws switch. He is not a pro prospect as a pitcher, but it is notable for his catching that he could throw with either hand. Seigler is definitely hit over everything else offensively right now, but he has a good build that he could produce power with some work to air out his swing some.
37. Baltimore Orioles
Steele Walker. 37. player. 11. After taking the jump on a high school arm with their first pick, the Orioles would nearly be dancing to get a college bat as strong as as Walker with their second selection. Walker has plenty of experience with a wood bat, and he’s been quite good, showing an ability to drive the ball throughout the field, though more on a line than with loft. Walker’s more likely to win a batting title than a home run title, but he’s got a fairly high floor that should move quickly.. OF. Oklahoma
38. San Diego Padres
127. Seeing multiple college arms drafted recently make their way to the upper minors and major leagues this year will give the Padres the confidence to bring in one of the more interesting arms in the draft due to his height at 6’11” and his ability to generate impressive plane on his mid-90s fastball.. RHP. Kentucky. Sean Hjelle. 38. player
39. Arizona Diamondbacks
8. One of the sweetest swings in the high school class belongs to Schnell, who swings left-handed with a true line drive stroke that uses the whole field well and shows advanced feel for putting the barrel to the ball. He’s a player who is jumping up draft boards and has a commitment to Louisville, so he could be a player that goes 10 picks before this or 15-20 picks after this, depending on his signing number.. OF. Roncalli HS (IN). Nick Schnell. 39. player
40. Kansas City Royals
7. A legit consideration as a first-round talent on merit before the season began, Gingery’s season took a very different turn when he blew out his elbow in February. He will miss all of 2018 and likely the start of 2019 due to <strong><a rel=. LHP. Texas Tech. Steven Gingery. 40. player
41. Cleveland Indians
42. Colorado Rockies
OF. Oklahoma. Kyler Murray. 42. player. 108. An incredible talent on the football field as well, Murray could have the chance to take over as quarterback for the Sooners this fall, and any team drafting him will have to compete with that. He will be a project as he’s not had a ton of reps in his college time, but his high level of athleticism could allow him to be a superstar if he hits even 85-90% of his ceiling.
43. St. Louis Cardinals
Cole Wilcox. 43. player. 32. With a pick of a college bat with their first pick, the Cardinals could take a risk on a high-upside arm like Wilcox, who has been every bit as good as fellow Georgia arms Kumar Rocker and Ethan Hankins this spring, if not better at times. Wilcox has projection left in his 6’5″ frame and can already pump out mid-90s fastballs with a slider and change that flash plus as well.. RHP. Heritage HS (GA)
Next: Remembering Bartolo's big bopper
That’s all for this week’s mock MLB draft. Who looks too high? Too low? Just right? Comment below!!