Mack - Draft News

 Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) 

TRANSFER NEWS: 

A huge get for Tennessee Baseball, as former Clemson slugger Billy Amick announced he is headed to Knoxville. Amick hit .413 with 13 homers and 63 RBIs for Clemson in

2023. 

 

Click on - Mets' 2023 MLB Draft Guide and Top Prospects to Target - 

OF Chase Davis, Arizona 

Productive college hitters tend to climb draft boards as the spring unfolds, and Chase Davis did just that during his junior season at the University of Arizona. 

The 6'1", 216-pound outfielder hit .362/.489/.742 with 17 doubles, 21 home runs and 74 RBI in 57 games this spring while tallying more walks (43) than strikeouts (40), and that represented an important step forward after he struck out 66 times in 63 games as a sophomore. 

He could get a shot at sticking in center field, but his power profile will fit cleanly at a corner spot if needed. 

It might be wishful thinking that he will still be on the board when the Mets finally get to make their first selection, as he has shown up in mock drafts anywhere from the early teens to the comp round. 

 

3B Jake Gelof, Virginia 

University of Virginia third baseman Jake Gelof is a popular name in the 30-40 range in mock drafts after he hit .321/.427/.710 with 23 doubles, 23 home runs and 90 RBI In 65 games this spring. 

He has some of the best raw power in the draft class, and he rarely gets cheated at the plate with an aggressive approach. He will likely always have a power-over-contact profile, but he has shown the ability to work a walk with a 15.6 percent walk rate this spring. 

A questionable defensive profile is the biggest reason he doesn't show up more in the first round of mock drafts, and while he has the arm to stick at the hot corner, a potential move across the diamond would give him the always risky right-handed-hitting, first-base-only profile. 

He is the younger brother of Oakland Athletics prospect Zack Gelof. 

 

3B Yohandy Morales, Miami 

The Mets have been linked to University of Miami third baseman Yohandy Morales in recent weeks. 

"I mentioned two mocks ago that the buzz I was hearing is the Mets are hoping Yohandy Morales gets to their pick, as he did in that mock. That now looks unlikely, but he's exactly the kind of player they should be looking for -- one key adjustment from being a clear starter," wrote Kiley McDaniel of ESPN. 

The Chicago White Sox have also been strongly linked to the University of Miami slugger, and they pick at No. 15 overall, but that could be viewed as a bit of a reach so there is still some hope for the Mets. 

Morales hit .408/.475/.713 with 20 home runs and 70 RBI this spring, but he has some moving parts to his swing and can be enticed to chase outside the zone, making him something of a boom-or-bust prospect based on whether he can make the necessary adjustments. 

 

Click On - Dueling MLB mock draft: Building 2023 prospect superteams - 

28. Jake Gelof, OF, Virginia (Gonzalez) 

29. Mike Boeve, 1B, Nebraska-Omaha (Rogers) 

30. Thomas White, SP, Phillips Academy (Massachusetts) (Passan) 

Gonzalez: I was scrambling a bit at the end here -- you're right, Jeff, first base is slim pickings at the top of this draft -- but I feel good about getting 70-grade power in Gelof. He'll play first base for me. All good. 

Rogers: Are you trying to convince yourself of that pick, Alden? Sounds like it. Because you won't convince us of it. My final one goes to Mike Boeve, from Nebraska-Omaha. I'm sure our esteemed, extremely handsome judge will allow me to move him to first base, right Kiley? 

Passan: Let's close this thing out the way it began, with a massive, hard-throwing pitcher -- this time left-hander Thomas White, who will gladly join this team instead of honoring his Vanderbilt commitment. 

Gonzalez: Wow, it's pretty amazing how much better my team is. I'd like to thank the brilliant, tireless, illuminating research/analysis of the one and only Kiley McDaniel for all my success. 

McDaniel: Boeve's next-best position after second is probably first, so I'll allow it. No Brock Wilken love? He seems to be a slam-dunk choice here for first base, which also is his second-best position, behind third base. 

 

Click on - Our Insider on Max Clark: I was lucky to have front-row seat for rise of a superstar - 

I always sensed Matt Koperniak had a future in professional baseball, but the first time I saw Max Clark unleash a long toss during a pre-practice warm-up, my jaw hit the floor. The way he effortlessly launched the ball further and faster than anyone I'd ever seen was spectacular. As a sophomore he was already throwing over 90 mph off the mound. Watching him take batting practice was another sight to behold. The hand speed and raw power was elite for a teenager. The sound the ball made off the bat was just different, and the blazing speed around the bases, made him a true five-tool player.