1. Astros: Brady Aiken, LHP, Cathedral Catholic HS (San Diego)
Houston likely will choose between the top three pitchers and Jackson, and is believed to prefer the two left-handers. The Astros may save money versus the $7,922,100 assigned pick value to spend later in the Draft but won't compromise on talent at No. 1.
Houston likely will choose between the top three pitchers and Jackson, and is believed to prefer the two left-handers. The Astros may save money versus the $7,922,100 assigned pick value to spend later in the Draft but won't compromise on talent at No. 1.
2. Marlins: Alex Jackson, C/OF, Rancho Bernardo HS (San Diego)
Miami is looking at the same players as Houston, with talk that ownership could dictate a Rodon selection. Recent word has senior club officials enamored with Jackson, the best bat and position player available.
Miami is looking at the same players as Houston, with talk that ownership could dictate a Rodon selection. Recent word has senior club officials enamored with Jackson, the best bat and position player available.
3. White Sox: Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State
Chicago almost certainly will take a pitcher, with a preference for college arms and Rodon No. 1 on its list. If Rodon is gone, the White Sox could pass on Aiken and Kolek and opt for Louisiana State right-hander Aaron Nola.
Chicago almost certainly will take a pitcher, with a preference for college arms and Rodon No. 1 on its list. If Rodon is gone, the White Sox could pass on Aiken and Kolek and opt for Louisiana State right-hander Aaron Nola.
4. Cubs: Nick Gordon, SS, Olympia HS (Orlando, Fla.)
Though Chicago needs and wants pitching, it could spend a top-10 choice on a position player for the fourth straight year. If Aiken and Rodon aren't available, there's a growing sense that the Cubs would pass on Kolek in favor of Gordon or Jackson. A healthy Hoffman would have been the obvious choice here, and if Chicago doesn't see an obvious fit, it could cut a deal with Kennesaw State catcher Max Pentecost and save money to spend elsewhere.
Though Chicago needs and wants pitching, it could spend a top-10 choice on a position player for the fourth straight year. If Aiken and Rodon aren't available, there's a growing sense that the Cubs would pass on Kolek in favor of Gordon or Jackson. A healthy Hoffman would have been the obvious choice here, and if Chicago doesn't see an obvious fit, it could cut a deal with Kennesaw State catcher Max Pentecost and save money to spend elsewhere.
5. Twins: Tyler Kolek, RHP, Shepherd (Texas) HS
Minnesota may just see which of the top five prospects remains on the board at No. 5. If the Twins go outside that group, it likely would be for a college starter such as left-handers Kyle Freeland (Evansville) or Sean Newcomb (Hartford). If they want a money-saver, the pick could be Lee's Summit (Mo.) West High outfielder Monte Harrison.
Minnesota may just see which of the top five prospects remains on the board at No. 5. If the Twins go outside that group, it likely would be for a college starter such as left-handers Kyle Freeland (Evansville) or Sean Newcomb (Hartford). If they want a money-saver, the pick could be Lee's Summit (Mo.) West High outfielder Monte Harrison.
6. Mariners: Sean Newcomb, LHP, Hartford
If none of the top five prospects fall, most of Seattle's options will be college products: Newcomb, Nola, Oregon State outfielder Michael Conforto and North Carolina State shortstop Trea Turner.
If none of the top five prospects fall, most of Seattle's options will be college products: Newcomb, Nola, Oregon State outfielder Michael Conforto and North Carolina State shortstop Trea Turner.
7. Phillies: Aaron Nola, RHP, Louisiana State
Coming off its worst year since 2000 and headed toward a third straight non-winning season, Philadelphia is looking at more immediate help from the college ranks. The Phillies would make an exception in the unlikely event Gordon is available but otherwise will consider many of the same players as the Mariners.
Coming off its worst year since 2000 and headed toward a third straight non-winning season, Philadelphia is looking at more immediate help from the college ranks. The Phillies would make an exception in the unlikely event Gordon is available but otherwise will consider many of the same players as the Mariners.
8. Rockies: Kyle Freeland, LHP, Evansville
Eight of Colorado's last 10 first-rounders have been collegians, a trend that should continue this June. Though a medical report from his Denver high school days has raised some red flags, Freeland has been as dominant as any college pitcher this spring.
Eight of Colorado's last 10 first-rounders have been collegians, a trend that should continue this June. Though a medical report from his Denver high school days has raised some red flags, Freeland has been as dominant as any college pitcher this spring.
9. Blue Jays: Trea Turner, SS, North Carolina State
Toronto is most closely tied to high school right-handers such as Touki Toussaint (Coral Springs, Fla., Christian Academy) and Sean Reid-Foley (Sandalwood High, Jacksonville, Fla.), but could wait two picks later at No. 11 to take them. The Blue Jays could take Turner here to keep him from the Mets at No. 10. With their second selection coming before 21 clubs make their first, Toronto also is an obvious destination for Hoffman, who was a potential No. 1 overall choice.
Toronto is most closely tied to high school right-handers such as Touki Toussaint (Coral Springs, Fla., Christian Academy) and Sean Reid-Foley (Sandalwood High, Jacksonville, Fla.), but could wait two picks later at No. 11 to take them. The Blue Jays could take Turner here to keep him from the Mets at No. 10. With their second selection coming before 21 clubs make their first, Toronto also is an obvious destination for Hoffman, who was a potential No. 1 overall choice.
10. Mets: Michael Conforto, OF, Oregon State
New York is another team looking at the same college names mentioned from Nos. 6-9, and also would consider San Francisco outfielder Bradley Zimmer.
New York is another team looking at the same college names mentioned from Nos. 6-9, and also would consider San Francisco outfielder Bradley Zimmer.
The rest of the draft - http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/mock-draft-astros-might-take-prep-pitcher-aiken-no-1?ymd=20140523&content_id=76511650&vkey=news_mlb
Conforto. If he is a legit power bat that projects to possible All Star major league potential, I'd welcome that sort of a hitter, frankly. We are 7-17 this month with consistently fine starting pitching. That has been a Met tale of woe for too many years. If you don't sign and develop true hitters, you overpay for the likes of Bay, Young, Grandy, etc. The lack of bats (and too deep fences) carries a real financial cost.
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