1. Houston Astros — Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford
I’m sticking with Appel here as the 6’-5” right-hander has proven to be the most complete pitcher in the 2013 MLB draft and arguably the safest pick on the mound. Over 12 starts, he is 8-4 with a 1.97 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 110 K/20 BB over 91.1 innings. His 7.6 innings-per-start show the kind of stamina he has, and he maintains his velocity late in games.
2. Chicago Cubs — Jonathan Gray, RHP, Oklahoma State
All signs point to the Cubs taking either Appel or Gray — whoever is still available, or Appel if the Astros opt to go with a bat such as Kris Bryant. The 6’-4”, 240-pound right-hander can touch triple-digits with his fastball to go along with a plus slider and above-average change-up. He doesn’t have the track record Appel does, but the stuff might be better. Over 13 starts, he is 8-2 with a 1.43 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 112 K/19 BB over 94.2 innings. He is holding opponents to a .175 batting average.
3. Colorado Rockies — Kris Bryant, 3B, San Diego
No doubt the best bat in the 2013 MLB draft, the 6’-5” right-hander has enormous power and a great approach at the plate. He leads the nation in home runs with 28, as well as walks with 56. Over 52 games, he is hitting .346/.506/.880. The big question is can he remain at the hot corner, and more and more people are thinking he can. If not, he is athletic enough to hold down a corner outfield spot, and his bat will more than play well in Coors Field.
4. Minnesota Twins — Clint Frazier, OF, Loganville HS (GA)
The quickest bat in the 2013 MLB draft, Frazier is an aggressive player who hits the ball with such authority, his raw power is disturbing at times. The 6’-1” right-hander is hitting .505 over 30 games with 16 home runs and a .571 OBP/1.165 SLG. His arm and speed are both above-average, and you aren’t going to find a more exciting player to watch.
5. Cleveland Indians — Kohl Stewart, RHP, St. Pius X HS (TX)
With his low mid-90s fastball, as well as three other quality pitches, the 6’-3” right-hander simply overpowered prep batters this season, allowing just 13 hits over 40 innings, striking out 59. His slider looks like a plus pitch, and both his curveball and change-up are following suit. He may have the highest upside in the 2013 MLB draft.
6. Miami Marlins — Colin Moran, 3B, North Carolina
Maybe the best pure hitter among college bats, the 6’-3” left-hander is hitting .385 over 51 games while drawing 50 walks to just 13 strikeouts. The power has shown up this season, as well. He has hit 13 home runs and driven in 78 runs with a .516 OBP/.646 SLG. Like Bryant, some question his ability to remain at third, but he could be a great defender at first if he ends up there.
7. Boston Red Sox — Austin Meadows, OF, Grayson HS (GA)
At 6’-3” and 200 pounds, the left-hander has a lot of upside with his size alone. Add in plus speed, a plus arm and an advanced bat, well now, you’ve got something special. The home-run power hasn’t shown up as many expected, but it will. He is more of a line-drive hitter right now and hits the gaps with ease. A high-character kid who has the talent to go first overall.
8. Kansas City Royals — Sean Manaea, LHP, Indiana State
The best college southpaw in the draft, Manaea is 6’-5” and his slider is among the best when it’s on. Over 14 starts, he has a 2.65 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 88 K/21 BB over 95 innings. He has battled this season through minor hip discomfort but looked sharp in his last start, striking out 11 to one walk over seven innings. When on, not many are better.
9. Pittsburgh Pirates — Reese McGuire, C, Kentwood HS (WA)
Extremely strong-armed catcher who hits from the left side. The 6’-1” McGuire is one of the more polished prep players in the 2013 MLB draft, having won two gold medals for U18 Team USA Baseball, as well as being a regular on the summer circuit events. He has an advanced approach at the plate and should be a high-average hitter with pop at the next level with great defensive abilities behind the plate.
The best overall shortstop in a 2013 MLB draft class weak on them, the 6’-2” left-handed hitter has been showing the kind of offensive potential he has to go with all the defense he brings to the table. Over his last 13 games, he has gone 23-for-38 (.605) with 10 stolen bases and has drawn nine walks to zero strikeouts for a .688 OBP. His strong arm, speed and instincts will allow him to remain at a premium position and he projects to a top-of-the-order hitter.
11. New York Mets — Dominic Smith, OF/1B, Serra HA (CA)
Maybe the best pure hitter in the prep ranks, the 6’-1” left-hander can flat-out stroke it and he has a great approach at the plate. Over his last 18 plate appearances, he has reached base 15 times, including a double, triple, three home runs and three HBP. He has only struck out 14 times over his last 272 plate appearances. He also has a plus arm as he has been clocked at 94 mph on the mound. If he can’t handle a corner outfield position, he could be a plus defender at first.
48. New York Mets — Trevor Williams, RHP, Arizona State
Read more at http://throughthefencebaseball.com/mock-2013-mlb-draft-top-75-picks/33075#wbqIBsMjMql9fGtU.99
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Ugh not another HS bat...
ReplyDeleteobviously not a Mets fan...
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