MLB Draft: Mock Draft Monday, version 3.0

GAINESVILLE, FL - MARCH 25: Jonathan Inndia (6) of the Gators hustles to second base for a double during the college baseball game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Florida Gators on March 25, 2018 at Alfred A. MccKethan Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Wellch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - MARCH 25: Jonathan Inndia (6) of the Gators hustles to second base for a double during the college baseball game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Florida Gators on March 25, 2018 at Alfred A. MccKethan Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Wellch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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GAINESVILLE, FL – MARCH 25: Jonathan India (6) of the Gators hustles to second base for a double during the college baseball game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Florida Gators on March 25, 2018 at Alfred A. McKethan Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL – MARCH 25: Jonathan India (6) of the Gators hustles to second base for a double during the college baseball game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Florida Gators on March 25, 2018 at Alfred A. McKethan Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

It is time to start preparing for the MLB draft! We kick off our mock drafts with our third 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.

Mock Draft, Version 1.0
Mock Draft, Version 2.0

We’ll start right at the top:

1. Detroit Tigers

63. The broken record syndrome. The biggest bit of excitement for Tigers fans over the next few weeks will be seeing what players are falling to their second round selection, which should still be an incredibly good player. In this scenario, 11 players ranked in the top 50 of either MLB.com or Baseball America in their most recent rankings were still on the board for the Tigers at their second round pick, which will be #44 overall, so that’s quite good value – and most likely even more will fall come draft day as teams begin to play with their draft pools.. RHP. Auburn. Casey Mize. 1. player

2. San Francisco Giants

31. As good as <strong><a rel=. C. Georgia Tech. Joey Bart. 2. player

3. Philadelphia Phillies

3B. Florida. Jonathan India. 3. player. 6. While I’ve had the Phillies targeting college bats due to the fact that they’re not picking again until the 4th round and likely will want to spread their money around, India was not a name that was highly-considered in that grouping until recently, though he could be a perfect pick for them at #3, as he has a very high floor and will give them the financial freedom to spread some money over their next picks.

4. Chicago White Sox

5. Cincinnati Reds

Florida. Brady Singer. 5. player. 61. This is a match that a lot are making because there is plenty of interest in Singer from the Reds. His spring hasn’t pushed him to the first overall selection, and he’s a high-certainty major leaguer, but with his arm slot, he very well could end up being a reliever.. RHP

Next: #6-15

HATTIESBURG, MS – JUNE 02: South Alabama outfielder Travis Swaggerty (21) gets a single during an NCAA Division I Regional baseball game between the South Alabama Jaguars and the Mississippi State Bulldogs on June 02, 2017 at Pete Taylor Park, Hattiesburg, MS. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HATTIESBURG, MS – JUNE 02: South Alabama outfielder Travis Swaggerty (21) gets a single during an NCAA Division I Regional baseball game between the South Alabama Jaguars and the Mississippi State Bulldogs on June 02, 2017 at Pete Taylor Park, Hattiesburg, MS. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

6. New York Mets

3. The Mets are typically a team more after high-ceiling guys, whether college or high school. Madrigal doesn’t exactly fit that, but he could be by far the best selection for the Mets in this spot as he’s a sure-fire major league talent and could help bring stability to the middle infield for the Mets.. SS/2B. Oregon State. Nick Madrigal. 6. player

7. San Diego Padres

Mountain Ridge HS (AZ). Matthew Liberatore. 7. player. 127. Another match that seems to be getting stronger as the Padres are big on high-impact arms in this year’s draft as well as some of the big bats, but as long as the price is not out of this world expensive, Liberatore to the Padres seems a very smart match.. LHP

8. Atlanta Braves

OF. South Alabama. Travis Swaggerty. 8. player. 17. The Braves are in on a lot of the hitters at the top of the draft, and they would love to see Bart fall to them, but as Bart, Madrigal, and Bohm are likely off of the board, the Braves are most likely going to be deciding among Swaggerty, Kelenic, Gorman, and perhaps an arm or two that could push the decision for the Braves if they were there at 8.

9. Oakland Athletics

South Florida. Shane McClanahan. 9. player. 96. One of the top college performers for the first month of the collegiate season, McClanahan had some struggles with location and velocity for a few weeks that knocked him from discussion alongside Mize for the top overall spot, but he’s unlikely to fall too far.. LHP

10. Pittsburgh Pirates

player. 4. Winn would be an excellent match with the Pirates in that he is a consistent, durable performer with the ability to add a tick more to his repertoire and become a front-line type of pitcher with a very high floor. He’s been pushing up the draft board and could end up even higher than this.. RHP. Orange Lutheran HS (CA). Cole Winn. 10

11. Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles may knock over cameras, women, children, and Rob Manfred to get this pick to the podium if Kelenic was still on the board at this point. He’s likely to be in strong consideration as high as #2 and has a wide base of tools that should allow him to be successful for any team that selects him.. OF. Waukesha West HS (WI). Jarred Kelenic. 11. player. 11

12. Toronto Blue Jays

13. Miami Marlins

Nolan Gorman. 13. player. 82. At the start of spring, Gorman falling out of the top 10 would have been a huge coup for the Marlins, but now he could even not be their top choice in this spot with the draft unfolding this way. Gorman may not stay at 3B long term, but he has the power in his bat to make position irrelevant down the line. Gorman will be considered as high as 4, so he could be off the board.. 3B. Sandra Day O'Connor HS (AZ)

14. Seattle Mariners

Mississippi. Ryan Rolison. 14. player. 62. The Mariners seem to be locked in now on one of the top college arms, and they are in a good position to start the third tier of college arms (first tier being Mize by himself, second tier being just Singer and McClanahan) with their top choice most likely. Rolison would be a good choice that likely would move quickly up the system with a high floor, even if his ultimate upside is not a frontline guy.. LHP

15. Texas Rangers

The Rangers may challenge the Orioles for most bystanders knocked over in a sprint to the podium if Stewart was still on the board here, and this absolutely represents Stewart’s floor based on current projections as he’s shown incredible upside with a chance to have three plus pitches by the end of his draft season, let alone his first full season as a pro.. RHP. Eau Gallie HS (FL). Carter Stewart. 15. player. 95

Next: #16-25

MINNEAPOLIS, MN- AUGUST 27: Triston Casas #26 of the USA Baseball 18U National Team bats against Iowa Western CC on August 27, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN- AUGUST 27: Triston Casas #26 of the USA Baseball 18U National Team bats against Iowa Western CC on August 27, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images) /

16. Tampa Bay Rays

16. player. 21. Casas has an excellent frame and a big bat that should allow for him to develop big time power as he works his way up the Rays system, likely moving to first base down the road, though he does have the arm to work in an outfield corner as well.. 3B. American Heritage School (FL). Triston Casas

17. Los Angeles Angels

102. Rocker’s electric arm could come into play much earlier than this, but the Angels seem to be locked in on an arm here or a top college bat, and with none of the top college bats falling here, they’ll be more than excited to get one of the most exciting arms in the entire draft with an incredibly mature physical frame as well.. RHP. North Oconee HS (GA). Kumar Rocker. 17. player

18. Kansas City Royals

7. Naylor was inadvertently left out of last week’s list, and that was unintentional because he has absolutely worked his way into top-25 draft slotting, and working him with a team that has multiple first round picks makes a lot of sense as he likely won’t be cheap to sign.. C. St. Joan of Arc Catholic SS (Canada). Noah Naylor. 18. player

19. St. Louis Cardinals

19. player. 32. The Cardinals are a definite wild card in this spot with the strengths of this draft. In a year with a strong high school hitter crop or a strong college arm crop, I’d say that was the definite route here, but it’s the opposite this season. The Cardinals also have a second pick before round 2, so there could be some manipulation going on here of signing bonus if there’s a guy they really like and aren’t sure will make it to #44 and can get below slot right here. Polished high school lefties with upside in the Cardinals system are a good combo, so Weathers works here.. LHP. Loretto HS (TN). Ryan Weathers

20. Minnesota Twins

Stetson. Logan Gilbert. 20. player. 2. Gilbert is a guy that many have had trouble pegging this spring simply due to inconsistencies in his game to game scouting reports. Recent reports the I’ve received indicate he may be throwing a lot more like the guy who dominated last summer with premium velocity and all-around stuff rather than just working his stuff this spring to strike out over 40% of hitters.. RHP

21. Milwaukee Brewers

76. An option for the top overall high school player coming into the showcase season last summer, Turang hasn’t done anything to hurt his stock necessarily – it’s just that he hasn’t done anything to really help it. He’s going to be a guy with a good stick and good wheels that should stick up the middle. Those are all good qualities, and he will certainly be a good get for the Brewers here if they’re willing to spend to get him.. SS. Santiago HS (CA). Brice Turang. 21. player

22. Colorado Rockies

Trevor Larnach. 22. player. 108. Larnach has been an incredible hitter this year for Oregon State, picking up for the Beavers when Nick Madrigal was out, and he’s been consistent throughout the season, taking a big step forward in the way that many saw in <strong><a rel=. OF. Oregon State

23. New York Yankees

player. 43. The Yankees have been after high-end hitters and could also pursue a couple of high-ceiling pitchers, but will most likely go after a big bat here and attempt to work their magic with high-ceiling college arms later in the draft, which makes Adams a perfect fit for an over-slot pay here.. OF. Green Hope HS (NC). Jordyn Adams. 23

24. Chicago Cubs

The Cubs will hope to see a certain collection of arms fall here, but if one of them isn’t available, a high-upside bat would make plenty of sense, and Thomas would make a lot of sense as a local player with plenty of upside and a lot of major league background with his father working for the crosstown White Sox.. OF. Mount Carmel HS (IL). Alek Thomas. 24. player. 9

25. Arizona Diamondbacks

25. player. 8. Kowar falling this far would be a huge get for the Diamondbacks, akin to having <strong><a rel=. RHP. Florida. Jackson Kowar

Next: #26-35

TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 03: Mason Denaburg of Merritt Island HS (FL) delivers a pitch to the plate during the East Coast Pro Showcase on August 03, 2017, at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 03: Mason Denaburg of Merritt Island HS (FL) delivers a pitch to the plate during the East Coast Pro Showcase on August 03, 2017, at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

26. Boston Red Sox

27. Washington Nationals

27. player. 90. Biceps tendonitis is often a bad sign for a pitcher, but the Nationals have had incredible luck in working with pitchers with arm injuries, so Denaburg’s arm issues this spring would certainly not worry them in the least. Their biggest concern would likely be whether they could sign him away from his college commitment!. RHP/C. Merritt Island HS (FL). Mason Denaburg

28. Houston Astros

3B. Magnolia HS (TX). Jordan Groshans. 28. player. 135. Groshans would fit into the Astros system very well, with excellent power to all fields, good plate discipline, and a willingness and general flexibility to project to playing corners in the infield and outfield, which helps with lineup flexibility. Being a Texas HS guy as well puts the cherry on the top.

29. Cleveland Indians

30. Los Angeles Dodgers

Cartersville HS (GA). Anthony Seigler. 30. player. 71. The Dodgers are in a perfect spot to simply grab the best player left on the board. Based on current helium and where scouts are talking about players, Seigler still being on the board would surprise many people. The swith-hitter and switch-thrower would be along the lines of <strong><a rel=. C

Compensatory selections, first round

31. Tampa Bay Rays

31. player. 21. Schnell has been flying up boards, and he would be a great grab for the Rays here as a guy with big-time upside that would likely sign for at or under slot to allow the Rays to take advantage of their three picks early. Of course, just because he’s likely to sign for at or near slot does not mean the talent isn’t there as Schnell has been rocketing up boards due to his immense talent!. OF. Roncalli HS (IN). Nick Schnell

32. Tampa Bay Rays

32. player. 21. Beck was one of the highest-regarded college arms last season as a sophomore-eligible before back issues led to him being selected on the third day by the Yankees. He chose to return to school and has shown all the excellence of his freshman year. This is a high floor and not exactly a high ceiling pick, but Beck has the type of arm that could be a frontline guy due to his consistency with a #2 profile.. RHP. Stanford. Tristan Beck

33. Kansas City Royals

7. McLain has established himself as the top shortstop performer in the high school class this spring, and that has him getting a lot of attention starting in the mid-20s, but he should be signable for a reasonable number at this spot, though the UCLA commitment would likely concern a lot of teams.. SS/2B. Arnold O. Beckman HS (CA). Matt McLain. 33. player

34. Kansas City Royals

7. Wilcox has been one of the most dynamic arms in the 2018 high school class in Georgia, which is saying quite a bit with as many as four arms set to go in the first round from the state. Wilcox may need more development time than some other arms on the board right here, but his ceiling is much higher as well.. RHP. Heritage HS (GA). Cole Wilcox. 34. player

35. Cleveland Indians

Next: #36-43

FORT WORTH, TX – JUNE 03: Dallas Baptist outfielder Jameson Hannah (5) waits on the pitch during the NCAA Division 1 baseball tournament regional game between Dallas Baptist University and Virginia on June 3, 2017 at Lupton Stadium in Fort Worth, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX – JUNE 03: Dallas Baptist outfielder Jameson Hannah (5) waits on the pitch during the NCAA Division 1 baseball tournament regional game between Dallas Baptist University and Virginia on June 3, 2017 at Lupton Stadium in Fort Worth, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Competitive Balance Selections, Round A

36. Pittsburgh Pirates

4. After getting an impressive arm in Winn, the Pirates would get a chance to draft one of the draft’s most exciting (and youngest) college players in Hannah, who may have the highest ceiling of any college player with plenty of athleticism left to access, fitting the Pirates mold of ultra-athletic outfielders patrolling PNC Park.. OF. Dallas Baptist. Jameson Hannah. 36. player

37. Baltimore Orioles

Boston College HS (MA). Mike Vasil. 37. player. 11. With Kelenic falling in their lap with their first selection, the Orioles would have to believe that the draft was set up just to benefit them with Vasil also ending up right in their lap here. Grabbing both of them would likely mean a focus on college bats and arms for the rest of the way, but that would not be such a bad thing with those two talents already in hand.. RHP

38. San Diego Padres

player. 127. Landing the top lefty high school arm with their first pick and then grabbing the guy who is quickly putting his name near the top of the college lefty market. Bubic here would allow the Padres to really attack the second round well as well.. LHP. Stanford. Kris Bubic. 38

39. Arizona Diamondbacks

Connor Scott. 39. player. 8. Scott has the chance to be a dynamic part of the first round, with teams interested in him as high as 11-12, but with an injury this spring that could scare some teams away, especially if his number is too high. After getting Kowar with their first selection, this would be a great second selection for the Diamondbacks, setting up a great start to their 2018 draft.. OF. Plant HS (FL)

40. Kansas City Royals

Greyson Jenista. 40. player. 7. Coming into the season, it was Jenista, not Alec Bohm that everyone was watching in the Wichita State lineup, and having the chance to get him this deep in the draft would be a great local grab that would also likely move fast through the system with a productive bat.. OF/1B. Wichita State

41. Cleveland Indians

42. Colorado Rockies

RHP. Magnolia HS (TX). Adam Kloffenstein. 42. player. 108. Kloffenstein’s HS teammate already was selected at #28, and his mix of excellent pitches would make him a solid selection here after the Rockies went for a college bat with their first pick, allowing them their choice of the top arm available.

43. St. Louis Cardinals

32. The word is simply too strong not to put the two together at this point. Baseball America even had Meadows at #19 overall to the Cardinals, and they certainly could do that if they’re not certain he would make it to this point and they like him that much. Certainly, the Cardinals aren’t afraid of taking guys outside of where the industry has them rated, and they won’t shy away from any player at 19 or this slot simply because he’s “too early”!. OF. Grayson HS (GA). Parker Meadows. 43. player

Next: Braves Riley has big Sunday

That’s all for this week’s mock MLB draft. Who looks too high? Too low? Just right? Comment below!!

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