1) Astros: (West Coast) Mark Appel RHP Stanford University JR
Appel has been getting buzz at the 1:1 spot for quite a long time. He's always had the stuff and strong projectability for a college guy, and the only knock on him was that his statistics and results weren't quite living up to his electric stuff. They have this year, however, and Appel has proven that he deserves to be in the top 5 conversation. The Astros could tab Buxton if they are looking for upside or a bat, but Appel, in my opinion, has the best combination of upside and floor of anyone in this draft.
Appel has been getting buzz at the 1:1 spot for quite a long time. He's always had the stuff and strong projectability for a college guy, and the only knock on him was that his statistics and results weren't quite living up to his electric stuff. They have this year, however, and Appel has proven that he deserves to be in the top 5 conversation. The Astros could tab Buxton if they are looking for upside or a bat, but Appel, in my opinion, has the best combination of upside and floor of anyone in this draft.
2) Twins (East Coast) Kevin Gausman RHP LSU SO
Mike Zunino would be very tough to pass up here with the imminent move of Mauer to first base. However, the Twins need pitching and Gausman's upside is too large to pass up along with his ability to move quickly.
Mike Zunino would be very tough to pass up here with the imminent move of Mauer to first base. However, the Twins need pitching and Gausman's upside is too large to pass up along with his ability to move quickly.
3) Mariners: (West Coast) Byron Buxton OF Appling County HS
Buxton has consistently stood out as the strongest prep bat in the class. He could go anywhere in the Top 5, but the Mariners aren't going to be drafting for need at this spot, and Buxton is probably the best player available. A case could be made for Correa, Zunino or Zimmer here, but I see them going with Buxton. If they are looking for a safer bet, Zunino is their guy. If it's a pitcher, any one of the "Big 3" (Appel, Gausman, Zimmer) could be the pick.
Buxton has consistently stood out as the strongest prep bat in the class. He could go anywhere in the Top 5, but the Mariners aren't going to be drafting for need at this spot, and Buxton is probably the best player available. A case could be made for Correa, Zunino or Zimmer here, but I see them going with Buxton. If they are looking for a safer bet, Zunino is their guy. If it's a pitcher, any one of the "Big 3" (Appel, Gausman, Zimmer) could be the pick.
4) Orioles: (East Coast) Carlos Correa SS Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
Carlos Correa could have the most upside in this class and even with Machado in the system, either of them could wind up moving to third down the line for an extremely exciting left side of the infield.
Carlos Correa could have the most upside in this class and even with Machado in the system, either of them could wind up moving to third down the line for an extremely exciting left side of the infield.
5) Royals: (West Coast) Mike Zunino C Florida University JR
I like Zunino a lot and he's a pretty safe pick here at 5. He's a solid college catcher with the ability to stick at the position and has some pop in his bat. There have been some minor concerns about his stats in conference play, but Zunino has shown he can hit at every level and I'm not too worried about those. He's a solid pick overall and will definitely be off the board early.
I like Zunino a lot and he's a pretty safe pick here at 5. He's a solid college catcher with the ability to stick at the position and has some pop in his bat. There have been some minor concerns about his stats in conference play, but Zunino has shown he can hit at every level and I'm not too worried about those. He's a solid pick overall and will definitely be off the board early.
6) Cubs: (East Coast) Kyle Zimmer RHP University of San Francisco JR
The Cubs have been going for upside recently from both college and high school and Zimmer has the most upside of any college arm, even with his recent velocity dip.
The Cubs have been going for upside recently from both college and high school and Zimmer has the most upside of any college arm, even with his recent velocity dip.
7) Padres: (West Coast) Lucas Giolito RHP Harvard-Westlake HS
The most controversial name in the draft, Giolito went down with an arm injury late in the year and his stock is a huge question mark. The talent, however, is anything but doubted, and he was in the running to be the first high school righty to ever be taken with the first overall pick. The Padres have a lot of picks, and a lot of money to spend this year, so it's feasible that they could afford his big price tag. We have them taking two very signable college guys in the supplemental round to offset Giolito's inevitable contract.
The most controversial name in the draft, Giolito went down with an arm injury late in the year and his stock is a huge question mark. The talent, however, is anything but doubted, and he was in the running to be the first high school righty to ever be taken with the first overall pick. The Padres have a lot of picks, and a lot of money to spend this year, so it's feasible that they could afford his big price tag. We have them taking two very signable college guys in the supplemental round to offset Giolito's inevitable contract.
8) Pirates: (East Coast) Marcus Stroman RHP Duke University JR
As I said in my initial mock, the Pirates could have a potentially filthy top three in their rotation with Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon and the Pirates
already have a plethora of young hitters on their MLB roster and farm system, so there seems to be no reason to change here.
As I said in my initial mock, the Pirates could have a potentially filthy top three in their rotation with Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon and the Pirates
already have a plethora of young hitters on their MLB roster and farm system, so there seems to be no reason to change here.
9) Marlins: (West Coast) Albert Almora OF Mater Christian HS
Almora went here in my earlier mock and I don't see any reason to move him. He's a local guy, he's been getting Top 15 buzz and the Marlins like prep products quite a bit. He seems like a solid selection in this spot, and although I don't personally like him this high, he's not too much of a reach. He's talented and has proven it for Team USA and he's got quite a bit of upside, especially if the bat develops some pop. If the Marlins are looking for an arm, McCullers would be an excellent choice here.
Almora went here in my earlier mock and I don't see any reason to move him. He's a local guy, he's been getting Top 15 buzz and the Marlins like prep products quite a bit. He seems like a solid selection in this spot, and although I don't personally like him this high, he's not too much of a reach. He's talented and has proven it for Team USA and he's got quite a bit of upside, especially if the bat develops some pop. If the Marlins are looking for an arm, McCullers would be an excellent choice here.
10) Rockies: (East Coast) Lance McCullers RHP Jesuit HS
The same as my initial mock: McCullers fits the profile of a Rockie from Jesuit HS and is the type of power arm that the Rockies need to miss bats in Coors Field. Ross also selected McCullers with this pick in his initial mock, so there seems to be a consensus between us here, go figure.
The same as my initial mock: McCullers fits the profile of a Rockie from Jesuit HS and is the type of power arm that the Rockies need to miss bats in Coors Field. Ross also selected McCullers with this pick in his initial mock, so there seems to be a consensus between us here, go figure.
11) Athletics: (West Coast) Richie Shaffer 3B Clemson University JR
Everyone has heard that the A's don't take high school guys early, and this year probably won't be the one that differs from that strategy. Shaffer is a big, college power bat at a position of need in their system. Billy Beane does have a lot of money to spend this year, and he's been quoted as saying that he plans on taking some risks, but these will probably come after the first round. Shaffer fits the Oakland profile perfectly and is a nice combination of drafting for need and taking one of the best players left on the board.
Everyone has heard that the A's don't take high school guys early, and this year probably won't be the one that differs from that strategy. Shaffer is a big, college power bat at a position of need in their system. Billy Beane does have a lot of money to spend this year, and he's been quoted as saying that he plans on taking some risks, but these will probably come after the first round. Shaffer fits the Oakland profile perfectly and is a nice combination of drafting for need and taking one of the best players left on the board.
12) Mets: (East Coast) David Dahl OF Oak Mountain HSI had my Mets taking Trahan here, but that was because Dahl was off the board. A very similar 5 tool potential talent to Brandon Nimmo, they should fit nicely together in the outfield and batting order for a long time.
the rest of the mock...xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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