MLB Dirt - Mock

1. Astros (Mike): Byron Buxton (OF – Georgia HS): Rumors are going around that guys higher up in the Astros organization want a college pitcher, but at this point none of the college arms have really separated themselves from the pack. With that, Buxton is possibly the most talented player available and I think he would be a great pick as the best player available. He would instantly add a potential superstar into the Astros organization as they make the shift into theAL next year.
2. Twins (Jonathan): Kevin Gausman (RHP –LouisianaState) The Twins have consistently been linked to a pitcher so that is where I will go with this pick. Gausman has ace potential with a fastball that has been clocked at 99 mph, a potentially plus change-up, and a breaking ball that can be above-average. He has an ideal frame and could move fast throughBaltimore’s system with Dylan Bundy and with Manny Machado. I really want to take Mike Zunino here but pitcher really seems to be the way they are leaning.
3. Mariners (M): Mike Zunino (C – Florida) This is a very very hard pick me as I love the potential that Correa has to offer, but I have to go Zunino here. He is the complete package as a catching prospect and is not far from the bigs. He doesn’t have as high of a ceiling compared to Correa but he is much more of a sure thing. He would fit in nicely with the current crop of pitching prospects that the Mariners have.
4. Orioles (J): Carlos Correa (SS – Puerto Rico HS) I think he can stick at SS but if he has to move to 3B, which many believe he will, his bat will easily play there and his glove could be plus. A future left-side of Correa and Manny Machado could be very exciting.
5. Royals (M): Mark Appel (RHP – Stanford) The Royals wanted a pitcher last year but after their top four guys went in the first four picks, they went with the best player available in Bubba Starling. Well here they have two very good college arms available in Appel and Kyle Zimmer but I think they go Appel. He hasn’t quite shown the consistency that people want but his stuff is just too good to pass up here. Zimmer was a very close second choice for this pick.
6. Cubs (J): Albert Almora (OF – Florida HS) I had the Cubs taking Correa in each of our last two Mocks but he very well could be gone at this point. The Cubs will likely take the best player with the highest ceiling and that might be Almora. He is a plus defender in center with that chance to develop into a 5-tool player and has been climbing draft boards like crazy of late.
7. Padres (M): Lucas Giolito (RHP – California HS) I think the Padres will be drafting for the BPA available and here that is Giolito. As we all know, he was earning first pick consideration before a minor elbow injury in March. He has begun to throw again and once scouts get a look at him, Giolito could very easily go higher in the draft. The righty has some of the highest potential in the draft with a plus fastball that has touched triple digits with two potential plus pitches in his power curve and changeup.
8. Pirates (J): Deven Marrero (SS –ArizonaState) The Pirates might be tempted to add another arm like Zimmer or Fried to their system here but I am sticking with my pick from the last Mock. I wrote in the first mock that the Pirates would love forMarrero to drop here and he has in this mock and the last one.Marrero is a plus defender at short and has an above-average hit tool and plays the game the right way. He should be up when the likes of Gerrit Cole, Starling Marte, Robbie Grossman, and Kyle McPherson are ready with Jameson Taillon right behind. Fills a void in the organization without reaching.
9. Marlins (M): Max Fried (LHP – California HS) Last year the Marlins took a prep arm in Jose Fernandez with their first pick and I think thy take another one here. Fried is possibly the best left-handed pitcher in the entire draft and shows great polish for a prep arm. He has a plus fastball that sits in the mid to lower 90s with a plus curve to go with. He has front of the rotation potential and I think the Marlins would love a guy like him here.
10. Rockies (J): Michael Wacha (RHP – Texas A&M) I have taken a pitcher in this spot in each of our past two Mocks and I am not changing from my last pick of Wacha. Hard to pass on an arm that can reach 97 mph and also has a plus change-up and durable size. David Dahl was also a consideration here thanks to his athleticism and tools as well as Kyle Zimmer but late injury woes made me lean towards Wacha who also has the stuff to survive Coors.
11. Athletics (M): Courney Hawkins (3B – Texas HS) The A’s could use an impact bat in the system and Hawkins fills this void and is one of the best players available here. He has plus raw power, fantastic bat speed, and good speed for his size. He has a cannon of an arm and if 3B doesn’t work out, he would be a good fit in right field. I also considered Kyle Zimmer and David Dahl for this pick but the potential that Hawkins brings was too much to pass up.
12. Mets (J): Gavin Cecchini (SS – Louisiana HS) I spoke to a team scout who said Cecchini absolutely can stay at shortstop but he does not have his brother’s, Garin Cecchini, potential with the bat. He does have the ability to hit for average but the power is not quite there. The Mets would love if Almora or Hawkins fell here but I still think Cecchini has a lot of upside and the Mets would be happy to take him at 12

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